Letting Go (18 page)

Grant released a breath and nodded. “Okay, you have to stay here and go through a few psychiatric tests, and after that they’ll release you.”

“Okay. You’ll be here?” He sounded like a little kid.

“Yes, of course. Where else would I be?”

Blair relaxed and smiled. “Thanks dad.” He looked at Robin and then back at Grant. “For everything.”

Grant glanced at Robin, who stared at Blair and nodded. “You don’t thank me for loving you. I want the best for you, never doubt that.” He looked over his shoulder at Kelly and his heart warmed. God had granted him a second chance with his son; he hoped she’d give him a second chance as well.

She was reading a text and looked up with a welcoming smile when he stepped toward her.

The door opened. His father and uncle stepped in the room and closed the door. Everyone turned at the interruption.

“You didn’t think to contact me and tell me about this? I heard from the security guard about the ambulance at your front door when I drove through the gate an hour ago. Why didn’t you answer my text or your phone?” His dad snapped as if he had to answer to him. Those days had been over years ago. Respect went both ways. His dad just disrespected him in front of his son and his woman.

Tense, he glanced at Blair, who stared wide-eyed at the newcomers. Grant didn’t want his son to hear the conversation. His dad had a malicious streak and could say something to embarrass Blair. “Let’s step outside.”

His father’s face reddened as his gaze swept over everyone in the room. It lingered on Robin standing close to the bed and Kelly, who stood on the opposite side by the window. “What did the boy do? The two of you get in a fight?”

Grant’s hackles rose. “Outside now,” he snapped.

His dad jerked back and narrowed his gaze as Grant strode toward the door. Before Grant reached him, his dad turned and left the room, his uncle on his heels.

“What’s going on?” his uncle asked after they cleared the door, sounding concerned.

“Do you know how much this is going to cost to cover up?” his dad asked once they stood a distance from the room.

Grant looked at his dad and then his uncle. “My son is gay.”

His dad’s face reddened.

His uncle closed his eyes and covered his face with his palm.

“Lower your voice. He’s always been gay, did you have to put him in the hospital where they keep records of this kind of thing?” his dad said in a low whisper.

“He’s always been gay?” his uncle asked, surprised.

“What kind of thing?” Grant asked.

His dad released a long stream of air. “His mom knew about it, couldn’t stand it. And you didn’t have to beat him because of that. We’ve been working around it all along. He hasn’t told anyone yet has he?”

Shock raced through Grant as he stared at his dad. “You knew?” Did his mom know? No, Grant was sure she didn’t, she would never have kept that a secret.

“Yes,” he snapped and glared at Grant. “I want this shut down. We need to know the doctors' names and anyone else who talked to the boy. It’ll be his word against yours. We’ll have to spin this some way, let me think.” He placed his fingers against his forehead and pursed his lips.

“What do you think happened?” Grant asked as calm certainty flowed through him. Battle lines had been drawn and he’d chosen his side.

His dad scoffed. “You finally whipped his ass, about time.”

His uncle had the sense to look away.

“I know why you don’t like Blair,” Grant said in a conversational tone. He rocked on the heels of his shoes. The fog cleared and he saw things a lot clearer.

His dad’s jaw clenched. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Grant nodded; he had been a fool, but no longer. “You think Blair’s yours. Did Priscilla tell you he was your boy? Is that why you never allowed him to call you grand-dad?”

His uncle’s eyes widened and he turned to look at Grant’s father.

“What are you talking about? I don’t have time for this foolishness; we need to shut this fiasco down before the press starts sniffing.”

Grant chuckled; blood rushed through and liberated him as blocks of information aligned. “You think I don’t know Priscilla was your ex-mistress when you introduced us? Oh, I didn’t know at first, you were good even then at lying. I know you had sex with her after we married.”

“That’s a lie.”

Grant shook his head wondering why he'd ever wanted this man to like him. His dad had no scruples, no honor, and no dignity. “No. It’s not. I watched the tape.” He hadn’t been sure who the man was in the tape at first.

His father’s mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out.

“Didn’t know she taped the two of you, did you? She threatened to use it in court if I didn’t give her what she wanted, so I paid the bitch off to get her out of our lives. Couldn’t have the world know my old man fucked my wife, could I?”

His dad’s mouth tightened.

His uncle frowned. “Calm down Grant and think. This makes no sense.”

Grant shrugged. “Priscilla’s old news, I never cared much about her. I figured we’d both been burned by my ex. She was a better liar than he is.” He pointed to his dad. “In the end she doesn’t matter.”

“What a mess,” his uncle said, turning away from them and looking down the hall.

Grant leaned forward and said in a low voice. “I had Blair tested. He’s mine. All mine. Priscilla came clean about a lot of things, well after you sent me to that apartment in Westmont anyway. Remember that, Dad?”

His father crossed his arms over his chest. “When you are done with this nonsense, we can discuss our plan of action.”

Grant smiled, the old man didn’t get it, there would be no campaign. He was done. But a quick glance at the sorrow on his uncle’s face showed he understood.

“Plan of action, like the plan where I get shot by my ex-wife because she thought I was you. Is that why you sent me to that apartment? You told me she wanted to see me, but she wanted to hurt you. I think she loved you to the point she hated you. Lucky me, marrying a girl in love with my Dad, huh?”

“You’re remembering it wrong; you were drunk all the time.”

“Yeah, I was, and that’s on me. I didn’t handle all the shit coming at me the way I should have, my kid paid for it.” He looked down at his dad and took a step closer, dwarfing him. “My son gave Kip a blow job when he was thirteen. I found out last night, and these scratches you see are badges of honor from the ass-whipping I put on Kip.”

His dad frowned and stepped back.

Grant followed. Ice cold anger flowed through him. “The reason my son is lying in this hospital is because he overdosed on my pain pills. Pills I take because a bullet ripped through my flesh, causing me constant pain. Not the fall down the stairs.” His finger was inches from his dad’s nose. “You son-of-a-bitch, don’t you ever say another word to me about family or my kid again or I will destroy you. Don’t think for one second I won’t. Your secrets stink worse than a pile of skunks.”

“What?” His father blinked and shook his head as if he didn’t hear him.

“I am done with you. Do I need to say it in Spanish or would you prefer German? Get the fuck out of this hospital and don’t come back. My son needs fresh, clean air to recover and you stink.”

His dad’s eyes narrowed, he pulled his coat close and buttoned it while watching Grant. “You’ll regret this.”

“I already regret being your son; this isn’t that much more of a leap.”

His dad’s face reddened and he turned, took two steps and looked back over his shoulder. “You were a second rate ball player, a worse husband and father, and a lousy politician. I wipe my hands of you.”

“My Super Bowl ring makes you a liar on the first claim. I was never a husband, my son loves me, and I don’t give a fuck about your politics or your opinion.” He nodded to his uncle and returned to his son’s room.

Kelly stood closer to the bed and was laughing at something one of the boys said when he walked in. The day he met her in the hallway of her school, he knew she’d be important in his life. He caught her gaze, walked toward her, and wrapped his arms around her waist. There’d been too many secrets.

He tipped her chin and kissed her. It took her a moment to get with the program, but soon she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. As announcements went, he thought this way rocked.

Chapter 18

“Come with me,” Grant said near her ear, sending shivers down her spine. The past two months had been crazy. She’d stepped into the principal’s position and worked hard to be prepared for the next school year. She wanted to stay ahead of the fray and had pushed the summer staff hard.

“Who let you in my office?” She smiled, brushing her lips across his.

“I’m not giving away my secrets. I need you.” His hand swept forward. “This can wait, we planned this evening last week. I’m ready to go.”

She exhaled, pleased with his pursuit. Once BJ left the hospital, Grant had been a different man. He and Blair attended meetings at PFLAG; sometimes they took Robin when she couldn’t make it in time. He’d become a supporter for the organization, and there had been talk of him running again in two years, but for the other team next time.

“I’m almost done, where are the boys?”

“Headed to the movies.”

She looked at him. The shadows of disgust had long left his eyes, but she knew he wished things were different. So did she. But the boys had made their choices. She stepped aside and offered advice and protection to Robin and Blair when asked or needed.

The files weighed heavy in her hand. She placed them on the desk and turned to face him. “I’m ready too.” He pulled her close, and kissed her like a starving man presented with his favorite dish.

They broke apart, gasping for air. “Let’s go.” He grabbed her hand. She lifted her purse from her bottom desk drawer. Turned off the lights and followed him down the hall to the parking lot. She looked around for his car.

“The boys dropped me off on their way out. They figured this would make you leave the office faster. Did it work?”

She laughed and shook her head. Whatever problems her son and BJ had before his accident, they had worked through them and seemed closer than before. Both were seniors at different high schools and played football. BJ wanted to take their team to state, which made Robin determined that his high school would go to state. Neither planned to play ball in college, so this last year was special for them.

“Yes. No. I planned on leaving this time anyway.”

He pulled her close and placed a kiss on her lips. “Liar.”

She swatted his arm and pressed the button to open her car. “Well, I would have left around this time.”

He winked and slid in the passenger side.

Her chest expanded at their camaraderie and she couldn’t stop the smile spreading over her face. It sounded corny but she’d swear birds and harps serenaded her at this moment.

“What?” he asked when he caught her staring.

“Nothing, just happy.”

He leaned over the console, took her chin between his fingertips and kissed her. “Me too.”

Choked, she nodded.

“To the condo,” he said, softly brushing the back of his knuckles across her cheek.

She closed her eyes at the sensation. “Oh yeah, to the condo.”

“Miss me?”

“Yes.”

“I’m glad I’m not alone.”

“Never. I’m with you all the way.”

He nodded and lapsed into silence.

She glanced at him and noticed the tension around his mouth. “Something on your mind?”

“No. Dean came by today.”

That surprised her. She had met his mom one night at dinner at Grant’s house. They had hit it off. The woman called her from time to time regarding her social calendar, inviting her to events. But as far as she knew, Grant hadn’t spoken to anyone else in his family in over two months.

“Oh?”

He snorted and shook his head. “My dad tried to mess me over by investing my money in crap deals.”