The Secrets That Free Us

Chapter 19

Hunter

I walk back down the stairs of Grace's house with a smile still plastered on my face. I knew the threat of her failing a class would get her to come with me, it just sucks I need and excuse or threat for her to want to come anywhere with me.

She's been avoiding me since the plague since she stayed at my house last week and I intend to put an end to that shit today.

I've spent far too fucking long without her already, I'm not wasting anymore letting her run away.

I go into her kitchen and plonk myself on a seat at the table like I belong here. Like I didn't break both mine and Grace's hearts like the piece of shit that I am and leave her to deal with the mess all on her own.

Ellen beams at me when I take my seat, she's far too kind. She should be throwing me out of her house on my ass and telling me to stay the fuck away from her daughter. Or even shooting me daggers like Mia is right now.

"What's wrong with your face?" I ask her, knowing I am likely the cause of her looking like she's just been chowing down on a bunch of sour lemons.

"I don't see why you feel like you have the right to demand Grace spends the day with you. I could have took her to the beach." Mia huffs and crosses her arms in front of her chest, no doubt to emphasis the fact that I've huffed her.

"Maybe because she'll have way more fun with me?"

"Yeah, right. You just want to go to the beach to look at nearly naked girls while Grace keeps you company." She scoffs. God she's annoying. I'm so glad Grace is so much less bitchy than her older sister.

I know Mia is trying to protect Grace, but still, her comment strikes a nerve. "That's a load of shit and you know it. First of all I couldn't give a fuck if they were fully naked, I'm not interested. And second even if I was, why the fuck would I drag Gracie along with me? How much of an ass do you think I am?" I try to keep my voice controlled throughout my rant but judging by the way Ellen side eyes me I think my irritation has seeped through into my words.

They're just lucky I didn't flip the fucking dining table over. That in it's self is personal growth. My counsellors from the wannabe juvie would be proud.

Mia seems satisfied by my answer because she uncrosses her arms and gives me a toothy grin, "I think you're a massive ass. Always have been, but I just wanted to check you were still an ass to everyone but Grace. You passed the test, have fun." She smiles at me widely again before lightly patting my cheek and leaving the kitchen.

She's one weird ass chick. And mega fucking annoying. I honestly don't know how Nate puts up with her, he seems like an okay guy from what I remember, why would he want a headache like Mia for a girlfriend? Grace is definitely the better sister, she's sweet, kind and funny. Beautiful, thoughtful, sassy but not in an annoying way.

"Pay no attention to her sweetie, you know what she's like." Ellen tells me as she hands me a glass of fresh orange juice, stopping me from brain storming all the reasons why Grace is fucking awesome in my head. I choose not to tell her I think her daughter's a bitch, I mean she lived with her for long enough, I'm sure she knows. Instead I just thank her for the juice.

"Mom?" I hear a voice followed by Mia's annoying ass twin walking into the kitchen with a little blonde boy propped on his hip. Fuck me, why couldn't I have seen Cole or Parker this morning? at least they don't annoy the shit out of me.

I expect some lame ass comment from Joey but instead I'm greeted with a look of disgust. "Why is he here?" He says to Ellen, completely ignoring me. Well that's new. Usually he gives me as much shit as Mia does. Not looks at me like he wants to strange the air I breathe from my lungs.

"Be nice Joey, Hunter is taking Grace to the beach." She tells him walking over and taking the little gremlin that I assume is Cody, from his arms. "Come to Grandma baby." She coos at the little squidgy human.

Joey scoffs, "Yeah, cos that's what she needs. Him."

I choose to ignore his comment because I'm trying to get back into Grace's good books and somehow I don't think caving her brothers head in is the way to do that.

"Joey" Ellen says in warning.

"What? he fucks off for two years and now comes back to play the hero? It's probably his fault she's like this." He says slightly raising his venom filled voice.

I stand up and clench my fists at my side and try to control my temper, "You don't know shit about me or what Grace has been through." my voice is low, threatening, "And she isn't like anything. It's a mental fucking illness. Maybe try educating yourself before throwing your ignorant comments around."

He opens his mouth to say something but Grace appears at the kitchen door, "Is everything okay?" She asks. She's trying to pretend she hasn't heard anything but the way her voice slightly cracks and the unshed tears threatening to spill tell me she heard at least the majority of what was said.

She looks beautiful in her white sundress, like an angel. My angel.

"Yeah, you ready to go?" I ask her softening my expression.

She looks between me and her Mom, and then to Joey and I don't miss the hurt in her face when he looks away from her avoiding eye contact.

She clears her throat, "Yeah. Bye guys."

When we reach the front door I grab Coco's leader from the coat hook.

"What are you doing?" She asks curiously as I yell for her dog. I know Coco is Grace's bestfriend whether she's a dog or not, she makes her happy and I want to make Grace happy.

Instead of telling her any of the soppy shit I give her a cheeky smile, "If we're all going to live together eventually, she's going to have to get used to me." I walk out the house first with Coco's leash in hand and her and Grace following closely behind me to my car and I can't help how natural it all feels.