Page 88 of Sweet Spot
“Like you did today?” I step to him. I’ve easily got three inches on him and I use every single one to make him feel small and worthless. “Where the fuck were you? Why weren’t you looking out for her?” I hate him for letting it happen, but only a fraction as much as I hate myself.
I can see the anger on her weak frame as she says, “I’ll be fine at the hotel. I don’t need either of you.”
The weight of that statement slams into me. I kneel in front of her and take her hand. “Come with me. Please. I’ll take you to Gram’s if you prefer. I just need to know you’re okay and that someone is there if you need anything.”
Potter scoffs. “She just needs a little rest. She can do that at the hotel and I’ll be there if she needs anything else.”
I wouldn’t trust this guy with a pet goldfish, let alone my favorite person in the world.
She bites her bottom lip but doesn’t outright turn me down, so I take that bit of leverage and run with it. I dial Gram and put the phone to my ear. She answers on the first ring as if she were waiting for news. It seems right somehow that she’s concerned too.
“Gram, I’m gonna bring Keira to your house for the night. That okay?”
“Yes. I’ll get the spare room set up and make soup. Do you think she could eat some homemade bread? I’ll make some anyway, just in case.”
Keira watches my face as I smile and nod. “That’d be great, Gram. Be there soon.”
“Ready?” I stand and hold out my hand. She puts hers in it slowly, and I lean down and sweep her legs out from under her so I can carry her to my SUV. I don’t say another word to Potter before we leave him standing there to wait for his cab.
I hold her hand as I drive, but neither of us speaks. I want to tell her everything is okay, but nothing is okay, and I won’t make things worse by lying to her.
When we get to Gram’s house, she’s standing at her door, waiting for us. Gram pulls her into a hug, and Keira surprises me by wrapping both arms around my grandmother and leaning into her. Her shoulders shake and sobs wrack her tired body.
Gram meets my eye and pats Keira lovingly. They stand that way for several long minutes before Gram leads her into the house. I follow, chest aching at not being the person she wants to lean on.
I don’t want her to cry, but when she does, I want to be the one to wipe her tears.
“Lincoln, can you check the soup and the bread, I’m going to get Keira settled.”
I stand alone in the hallway as Gram and Keira go into the spare room and shut the door. After checking the food, I grab a beer from the fridge, open it, and take a long swig before abandoning it on the counter.
Pacing the hallway, I wait for either of them to emerge or to call out for me. Anything would be better than standing here helpless.
When Gram finally comes out, she turns the light out and closes the door quietly. As I step forward, she stops me with a shake of her head. “She’s resting.”
“But—”
She shakes her head again, and I know my grandmother well enough to know she’s as likely to let me through as she is to stop trying to find my next wife. I drain the rest of my beer, grab another, and follow Gram into the dining room. She instructs me to sit and then puts soup and bread in front of me.
“I’m not hungry.”
She raises a brow and waits.
Grumbling, I pick up the spoon and take a few bites. I taste nothing, which is a real tragedy because I’m sure it probably tastes amazing.
“How is she?”
“She’ll be okay. You did the right thing bringing her here.”
“She wants to play tomorrow.” I wave a hand outside. The rain has slowed, but still pelts the ground. “Assuming it isn’t further delayed.”
Gram nods. “She told me. I don’t think anyone is going to be able to talk her out of that.”
“I should have been there. If something happened to her . . .” It’s hard to breathe as I contemplate that.
“Lincoln, honey, I don’t know what happened between you and Keira or why you weren’t there today when I know there’s nowhere else you’d have rather been, but I have a sneaking suspicion it all leads back to one thing.” She pauses to look me square in the eye. “Lacey.”
I groan. Here we go again.
