Falling Into Grace (38 page)

“When are you leaving again?”

“Thursday morning. They can sleep here tomorrow night.” She looks hopeful.

“When are you coming home?”

“Monday. We just want to check on the house and get it ready for next month.” I think about it.

“You sure you don’t mind taking them?” She is glowing with excitement as she bumps me.

“No, they are terrible kids. Of course I want them. We will have fun.”

“OK,” I agree. I secretly get excited. I can have Grant to myself for five days. It makes me want to call him and tell him, but I’m sticking with my surprise. I start making millions of lists in my head. I pack for the kids and pack for myself after the kids go to bed. This is going to be good for us. We can stay in the city or go up to the Cape. Either way, I get to spend time with him, and I can’t wait.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

W
ednesday flies by. Derek calls to let me know he will be picking me up at eight. I drop the kids off and stay to tuck them in and help my parents load the car. Before I know it, I’m lying in bed, feeling like a kid on Christmas Eve. I can’t wait for tomorrow to come so I can see Grant and surprise him. The pills don’t work as well, because I am too excited, so I get up before my alarm goes off to get ready. I’m fully dressed and ready at seven, and I pace the kitchen while drinking my morning tea. I want to call Becca, but I would wake her up if I did. I pace and wait until I see the car pull into my driveway. I nearly jump for joy when I see it. I straighten out my new sundress; it’s way too short, but I want to give him something to look at on the car ride home. I slip on my sandals and meet Derek at the front door.

“Hello, Hannah. Let me get this for you.”

“Thank you, Derek.” I hand him my bag and lock the front door.

I feel the excitement build the whole way to the airport. I think about how I should surprise him. Should I wait in the car and surprise him when he gets in? Or should I be leaning against the car when he gets out? I think about both and decide on outside the car. This way I can jump on him and kiss him, rather than doing that in the car. I want to feel him against me again. I start to realize how in love with him I really am. It didn’t take long to fall for him; I smile
when we get to the airport. I watch as Derek pulls in, but I don’t see Grant’s plane yet.

“They’re taxiing around,” Derek says. “He should be here in five minutes.” I look out the window for his plane and finally see it coming. I want to jump out now, but what if he is looking out the window? I wait until I see the stairs open. I start to get out of the car, but then I freeze. Grant is with someone. I see a woman appear next to him, and I watch as they kiss. He takes her hand and holds it down the stairs. I’m frozen in time as I watch them. I can hear my heart shatter on the ground and lose my breath like I have been sucker punched in the gut. I know Derek is seeing this. I have to act fast.

“Derek, take my bag out when you put his in. Please don’t tell him I was here.” I slip out the door facing away from the plane and tuck myself next to the tire. I want to cry, but I don’t. I can hear Grant’s voice laughing with this woman. Derek greets them. I think he is making sure Grant doesn’t walk around the car.

“I’ll get that for you, sir.” I listen to him get them in the car, and I move around to the back. Derek walks around and sees me. I feel pathetic. I’m hiding behind the car like a pitiful person. He opens the tailgate and puts all the bags in. He takes mine out and closes the door.

“Hannah, I will call Sam to come get you.”

“Don’t, please. I can get myself home. Just please get out of here.”

“I’m sorry,” is all he can say.

“Me, too.” Derek gets into the SUV and pulls away. I stand there in the middle of nowhere with nothing but my suitcase.

I’m in shock, just watching the SUV as it disappears out of sight. I begin to walk off my anger to the nearest building. I notice a car pull in, but keep walking. I start to feel uneasy when it pulls up next to me. As the window slides down, I see it’s Aiden. I stop and look at him, and I see red. When he steps out, I attack him. I run right up to him and start slapping him and hitting him with my fists.

“You knew. You fucking asshole! You knew and didn’t tell me!” I’m screaming now; he doesn’t move as I hit him. He takes every swing and just lets me get it all out.

“I hate you. I hate you both.” I stop and fall to the ground. He takes me in his arms and holds me while I cry.

“I didn’t know,” he whispers.

“Yes, you did.”

“No, I had a feeling but was never able to confirm it.”

“Then why are you here?”

“I had a feeling. I didn’t want to see you get hurt. I know how Grant is.”

“Who is she?” I watch as he hesitates. After a deep breath, he begins.

“Ava, my ex that cheated on me with him.” His voice is bitter, and I feel the same way. I move closer to him and he pulls me in. We sit on the ground while I wrap the last ten minutes around in my head. What a fucking asshole. I think of last week when I called Grant in the middle of the night, and I thought it was the TV I was hearing. It was her; it had to have been her.

I grab my bag and walk over to Aiden’s car. He opens the trunk, and I see his suitcase. He places mine next to his and opens my door. I sit in his car and feel so many different emotions at once. I feel angry towards Grant. How could he do this to me? Was he just stringing me along? Was this some kind of sick pay back for me sleeping with Aiden? I trusted him with me heart and he shattered it.

“Catch up to him,” I say. “I want to see if he brings her back to his apartment.”

“Does it change anything if he does?”

“No.”

“I’ll take you home.” His eyes are soft as he says this.

“No, take me anywhere else. I don’t have to be home until Monday.” He nods. I stare out the window, and before I know it, we are heading north. I replay seeing Grant and Ava. He looked so happy with her. He kissed her. As I think about it, I hear my phone ring. I take it out of my bag and see it’s him. I turn my phone on silent and throw it in the backseat. I look over at Aiden.

“Let me disappear until Monday. I don’t want anyone to know where I am, OK?”

“If that’s what you want. No one would ever find you at my house.” I adjust my seat back so I’m almost lying down. I can see the sky this way, and I get lost in the clouds.

To be continued…

Hannah, Grant and Aiden’s story continues in
Letting Go of Grace.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I
once heard it takes a village to raise a child, and I believe that to be true. I have a village of people who I love and adore, that have helped me make this dream come true. Without you I don’t think Falling into Grace would have ever seen the light of day.

I would like to thank my Hubby. Have I told you lately that I love the shit out of you? To my monsters, you are my everything. My heart would not beat, or be complete without the three of you.

Mom and Dad, thank you for letting me be me. I know I’m the favorite, but don’t worry, your secret is safe with me! To my favorite sister, you do realize you are my one and only? To my favorite brother, you two dunk it out.

My girls, I can’t even find the words to describe what you mean to me. Lisa, Norma Jean, Aunt Betty, you are my cheerleaders! Mindy, you are the bung to my da-lung. Chrissy, I adore your honesty and encouragement. Michelle, you are the only person who I can tell the absolute truth to, even if it makes me sound like a horrible person, you just get me. Trish, sometimes I wonder if we share the same brain, but really, get out of my head already! Erin, my favorite teen mom. Thank you for letting me vent when things get stressful and for always having my back on the playground. Diana, thank you for our late night dance parties. Jacky my oldest, and most cherished friend. We always pick up where we left off, even if it’s been months in between. Ellen, thank you
for hopping on the crazy train!
Becca
is a culmination of all you wonder woman in my life. Without you all, I would be a hot mess!

I would like to give a HUGE thank you to Marilyn, my wonderful editor. You gave me hope again. I don’t know what I would have done without you!

And finally THANK YOU, to you, the reader, for taking a chance on me.