Page 222 of Dream Mates
“Huh.” I nodded.
Well, that solved the mystery of Rosalind’s major. And the mystery of why she hadn’t wanted me to get a PhD.
“I… I’m sorry to have caused fighting in your family, Professor.”
“It’s not your fault, Grace. I was calling because I wanted to share a bit of information I learned. Apparently, when you were dropped off with Adriana, Thora wasn’t gone yet. She was imprisoned and questioned for a crime that ultimately Rosalind and one of their brothers helped commit. Based on that, I guess she’d called wanting me to keep you because the police were after her. How it went from that to her being executed for an illegal designation, I… I don’t know. I never knew that. There are so many gaps. I’m sorry. If I’d only been home when you were brought to us.” His voice broke.
“It’s okay, Professor.” My head rested on Wes’ shoulder.
“Professor, it’s Wes. Where’s Adriana? She’s been sending threatening messages to Grace,” Wes added.
“Shit. I’m sorry. Save them in case you need them. Zain and Pip threw her out. She’s probably sleeping in her office. I… I don’t know if things can be saved between us–and this is not your fault. Obviously, I didn’t know her as well as I thought,” he sighed. “But then things have been fraying between us eversince, never mind, you don’t need to know about my relationship problems. Anyhow, enjoy the beach.” He ended the call.
Wes took my phone. “I’m saving the texts. What he said was a good idea.”
Riley came in. “Um, sandcastle?”
“Yeah, coming. The professor called. I’m coming now.” I gave Wes a kiss then went back outside to join in the sandcastle making.
They’d already gotten to work. There was a small pile of shells, rocks, and sticks, and several buckets had been filled with water. An assortment of sand toys were all laid out.
“Hi.” Tru grinned. “Creed says you’re a math scientist and you work for an important company. Verity says that you fell in love with your scent match when you were little. That’s so romantic.”
“It sort of is. I dreamed of him, too,” I told her, as I took a shovel.
“Which one is he?” Mercy asked as she started to make a big mound of sand.
“Wes,” I nodded, as Wes and Brennan came out of the cabana, and I started to dig a moat.
Mercy nodded. “Cute, if you like clean-cut guys next door. He plays rugby? He looks like he plays rugby or lacrosse.”
“He played rugby in high school. Bren, too.” I nodded toward Brennan.
Spencer came over to us and quietly started helping, moving his leg so he touched mine, which was comforting.
“I like math science. One day I am going to prove Garamoci’s Theory of Everything,” Tru told me, helping me dig.
Mercy rolled her eyes. “How do you even know what that is? You’refive.For once, I’d like to live in a normal house where we don’t have nights where we only speak another language, and everyone’s not something that ends in –tist.”
“I like the idea of language nights,” Spencer said quietly.
“That could be fun.” I turned to Mercy. “What do you want to do? Skate smash, right?”
“Yeah, I want to play for the Capitol Crushers. Or any team really, but they’re my favorite. When I retire, I’m going to teach history and coach skate smash at a high school,” she told me. “Science and math are fine, but I like history better.”
“History can be interesting.” Wow. So, she had a plan–and a pretty decent one. Creed made it seem like she had none. Maybe they just didn’t listen.
“Capitol Crushers? Respect,” Riley nodded, as she poured some water on the sand pile in the middle of the moat. “I like the Rockland Raiders. Tell me more about this travel league you’re in, because that sounds like a lot of fun.”
Chapter Fifty-Seven
Wes
Ilaid on a chaise lounge I’d dragged out of the cabana, drinking a beer and watching as Grace, Tru, Mercy, and Riley finished making averyelaborate sand castle now that lunch was over.
Hale and Spencer skimboarded along the shore. Brennan sat nearby, frowning over his phone. Probably more drama with the Queen Mum.
Evan came out of the cabana, a smug look on his face. Grace looked over at him and raised her eyebrows. He grinned, then came over to me, snuggling into my arms, and stealing my beer.
