this love • gracie abrams

034 truths and secrets

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
truths and secrets
•

GRACIE kept looking over to charlotte. she watched her, talking to her dad with a glass of wine in hand and a casual smile. well, she looked totally calm and casual, but gracie could tell she was acting. honestly, she probably was running their conversation off a pre-made script in her head, knowing her. but still, gracie was incredibly nervous, waiting for the moment something would slip up and she'd hear her dad go loud and say something out of line.

"and like isn't it so weird?" sarah's voice cut in.

"hm?" gracie choked, forgetting to actually pay attention to the words for the majority of their conversation.

"the different types of gas. like jeez, a girl puts diesel in her car five time by accident, and they haven't changed the labelling yet? insane."

"right..." gracie slowly nodded. "sorry, just give me a sec." she said, brushing away and walking into the theatre room where she spotted jude, henry, and august playing some video game together.

"hey g," henry said, eyes still glued to the screen. "go throw this out," he said, handing her his empty glass of beer.

gracie kicked his leg with a tsk and slumped down on the couch instead, "go throw yourself out. so, jude," she said, pointing at him. "rate the fam, love or hate us?"

jude laughed, "hosting is pretty good, henry and i got the same taste in booze. your parents could be nicer to my sister, that's for sure," he smirked. "really though, this is nice. thanks for inviting again."

gracie smiled.

"where's charlotte? don't tell me sarah's got her trapped," henry chuckled.

"she's... actually with dad," gracie mumbled. "talking to him."

august furrowed his brows.

henry looked to her, "solo? ah she's gonna get eaten alive."

"i mean if you think about it it's kinda like networking. she should be fine," jude said, then leaning to try and hear outside the room. "if she's not though, might have to axe your dad, no offence..."

henry suddenly paused the game, making august groan in annoyance, "should we rescue her with our usual walk?"

"finally," august excitedly said, hopping to his feet.

"walk?" jude questioned.

gracie laughed, "me, augs, henry, and sarah usually find a time to ditch the old relatives to go for a walk around the neighbourhood."

"mostly so sarah can smoke," august added.

"yeah mostly that. but it's a good breather, and a great idea so i vote yes," gracie smiled.

"alright," henry said, turning off the console. "grab your coats discreetly and meet at the front door in ten?"

gracie nodded and took that as he cue to walk back into the living room. as she approached her dad and charlotte, she cued into their conversation.

"yeah, i can give you my managers number, my publicist as well..." charlotte said, scrolling through her phone. "maya, my publicist, is pretty strict with what i play in, but she would love this."

"perfect, i'll be in touch with her. obviously we'd still have to do the whole regular process, but really, i'm picturing this," jj said.

"hey," gracie cautiously said, standing between them. "uh what're you two talking about?"