Page 159 of Eight Years Gone

He shook his head. That was never going to have happened. “I needed Colton to understand that your life and mine were never paved with roses. I have no plans to go back there again.”

“That couldn’t have been easy.”

“It was what it needed to be. And now it’s over.”

He kissed her, not wanting to talk about it anymore. Tomorrow he would go out for a run and clear his head, but for now, he wanted to focus on Grace. “So, what should we do with our last teenagerless night?”

She groaned, letting her forehead rest against his chest. “As much as I want to suggest wild, mind-blowing sex wherever we want in the house, I have to talk to Aunt Maggie. I can’t avoid it any longer. Colton will be here tomorrow.”

He steamed out a quiet breath. “That’s kind of a thing, huh?”

She met his gaze again, wrinkling her nose as she nodded. “It’s a major thing.”

It amazed him in the worst way that Grace was again dealing with the aftermath of Steve’s messes. He had to believe that there would be an end to it all—that at some point they would just be able to live a happy life. “Are you up for a tagalong—some moral support?”

“Yes. I would appreciate it.”

He kissed her. “Then let’s go tell Aunt Mags about our new roommate.”

* * *

Grace’s stomach grew queasy as she pulled up to the curb in front of Aunt Maggie and Asa’s pretty old house. She puffed out a breath, keeping a firm grip on the steering wheel, as she looked at Jagger in the streetlight. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to say to not make this shocking.”

He took off his seat belt. “You’re just the messenger.”

“Yeah, but I don’t want to stress her out. I don’t want her to have a setback.”

He captured her hand, gently squeezing. “It’ll be what it’s going to be, Grace. Aunt Mags is going to feel whatever she feels. We’ll handle whatever comes of it. I can help at the shop if she needs a couple of days.”

She sighed because as much as she wanted to run and hide, she also wanted to get telling Aunt Maggie over with. “I appreciate it, but I’m sure Jen and I will be fine.”

“Are you ready?” he asked, reaching for his door handle.

“No. But let’s do this anyway.”

Getting out, they headed for the door, giving a couple of knocks before Grace turned the doorknob she knew would be unlocked. “Aunt Maggie? Asa?”

Asa walked down the hallway from the kitchen that smelled like heavenly roasted chicken, frowning as their eyes met. “I thought you two were in Montana.”

Grace shrugged. “We had a change of plans.”

Aunt Maggie followed Asa, walking with the aid of her cane down the hall. “Is everything all right? You two certainly don’t look like you’re here to tell us exciting news. Are you fighting?”

Jagger shook his head. “We’re as good as ever.”

Aunt Maggie looked from Jagger to Grace. “Are you moving? For Jagger’s new job?”

Grace sighed. They were making this so much worse than it already was. “No, we’re not moving. Can we sit at the table or in the living room?”

“Let’s go to the table.”

They followed Aunt Maggie and Asa to the formal dining room where Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners always took place.

“Do you guys need anything?” Asa asked.

“We’re good,” Grace said as they all sat down.

Aunt Maggie steepled her fingers. “Now, tell us what’s going on.”

---