Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 121734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
“What did I do wrong?” I whispered the words to myself.
“Nothing.”
I met Dane’s gaze. He grimaced. “You did nothing wrong. You, just, were born into the wrong family.”
Yeah. Maybe. I didn’t know.
I decided then and there I wasn’t going to tell him about Mal. I hadn’t met my real father yet. That was planned for late in the summer. I needed time, which Mal understood and he gave it. I’ve been focused on the team and on my relationship. My connection to the Grays’s owner hadn’t been leaked. The press didn’t know, and I hadn’t been sure if I wanted to let Dane know or not.
I was going to keep some things to myself. It’d come out after this season was done, when I was no longer acting as their consultant. Or maybe it would never come out. I didn’t care either way but I was okay with any of it, or all of it.
I was content.
I’d done my job. I helped get the team to the first round of playoffs, but I wanted them to get to the second round. My brother was standing in front of me, talking to me, apologizing to me, wanting me to be in his life and his family’s life. And I had a man waiting for me upstairs that would tear the world apart for me if I asked.
Dane gave me an odd look. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” It was the truth. “I’m okay. I’m going to be okay.” I laughed. “I’m going to be better than okay, and for someone like me, that means the world.” He was still giving me that weird look. I ignored it and stepped over to hug him.
Dane went rigid, his eyes widening.
I ignored that too and patted him on the back. “Thanks for making the first step, but I was already locked in the second I saw your little girls smiling at me.”
I stepped back as he let out a harsh breath of air. “They tend to have that effect on people. It’s their super power because I swear that my little girls are going to be criminal masterminds one day. Have you seen their dolls upstairs? Try to give them an angel doll and they throw a fit. Give them a devil doll and they’re content as can be. I’m terrified. Lindy thinks it’s awesome. She jokes they get it from me, but that’s all her.” By unspoken agreement we put away the hockey sticks and began for the stairs.
“She told Dad off.”
I stopped just before starting up the stairs. “What?”
“Lindy. She invited him over for dinner, and before the girls came in, she informed him that he would never treat any of the females in this family how he treated you growing up. If he did, she would have no problem educating the girls on how he treated you and she’d let him try to explain it to them. Dad’s usually reserved and on good behavior around Lindy, but for the first time he looked scared of her. I showed her the texts that Griff sent on your phone and she told me straight up to make sure you married that man. Consider yourself a part of our family again, whether you want to be or not.” With that, he headed upstairs while I was rooted in place behind him.
But I was smiling.
I told Tyler how the conversation went once we got home and he laughed and laughed and said he couldn’t wait to have Lindy meet Skylar.
I agreed.
EPILOGUE
RAIN
Going to Miriam’s grave with Mal had become a tradition. We did it the first year after the Grays lost in the playoffs. And the regular season was done this year so Mal and I went to visit our cousin.
Our cousin.
I now thought of her as mine as well.
Mal bent down to fix some of the grass by her tombstone and when it was cleared, he held out his hand. I gave him the bouquet of flowers. Tyler was always giving me lilacs so I’d started bringing them for Miriam.
Mal placed them on the ground, in the middle and stood up to stand with me.
“Hey, sis.” He took my hand, but he was speaking to Miriam. “I know you’re over there. I know you’re watching. I hope you’re happy. We’re doing the best we can on our side. I’ll let Rain have her own time with you, but I’m doing well. Dad is doing well. Mom too. Grandpa passed, but I’m sure you know that. I miss you, little sister. Cousin.” Mal had tears in his eyes. “I think of you every day. I met someone recently who filled my ear about signs so if you’ve got some pull on the other side, could you send me a pink balloon. I was told to be somewhat specific. Love you.” He squeezed my hand before touching my shoulder and moving aside for me.