Page 58 of Silver Edge
I shrugged. “Sure.”
“By the way, you might shock some people with your purple hair, earrings up your ear, and unique way of going about life, but I like you. I think you’re perfect for my Drake.”
“I like you, too. You don’t hold any punches or dance around things trying to confuse me. I wish I would’ve had a grandmother like you growing up.”
“Well, you’ve got one now, honey.” She held out a bony hand and I scooted forward, taking it. Tears pooled at the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them away. The lack of sleep must be getting to me.
“Here you go.” Drake wrapped the shawl around her shoulders.
“Oh, silly me. I forgot I have bridge with the girls this afternoon. Besides, you said you needed to be back in town by four.” She held up one hand for Drake to assist her with standing and held the cane with the other. “Although, it’s strange for a reporter to meet with you on a Sunday night,” she muttered under her breath.
“Well, let’s get you inside, then.” He ushered her ahead.
I followed their slow pace up the winding path until we reached the main building, and he settled her in the dining room. She looked tired by the end of our visit, more so than the last time I’d seen her.
Good-byes were always awkward, so I stood in the corner willing Drake to hurry.
“Come here, dear.” Linda tapped her cane against the floor to get my attention.
I shuffled to her and she gave me a bright smile. “Thanks for letting me visit,” I said. “I hope I didn’t intrude on your time with Drake.”
“Don’t be silly, darling. You were the highlight of my day.” She snagged my wrist and tugged me lower, then planted a dry kiss on my cheek. I fought the rigid motion of my back snapping me away from her, but it won.
“I see what you mean, darling.” She kissed both of Drake’s cheeks. “Be patient and treat her well. She’s a keeper.”
“I know.” Drake took a step back. “Now, butt out.”
She giggled like a schoolgirl, but then her thin lips drooped. “Your mother, father, and brother would be proud of the man you’ve become. Heck, I’m proud of you.”
He cleared his throat. “Thanks,” he said in a strained tone.
“Now get out of here.” She shooed us toward the door.
The parking lot gravel crunched under foot, and I felt like I’d left a small piece of myself back in that room.
“What is it?” Drake asked before opening the car door for me.
“I’m not sure. I usually can’t wait to get away from people I don’t know, but I kind of wanted to stay longer.”
“It means you like her.” He brushed his lips against mine, but not with the passion from before. I sat in the car and waited for him to walk around the back. My mind swirled with thoughts of family, how it worked and what the point was, and for a brief second, I thought I could belong in this family, with his grandmother and him. But it wasn’t my family. Although, she said she wanted me to stay with him, no matter what.
Drake hopped in and started the car. As we headed down the driveway from the facility, I popped another demo CD into the player. For the first time that week, I had hope that I might have a future after all. I reached over and took Drake’s hand.
This time, he tensed.
“What? Did I do something wrong?” I retracted my arm, but he snagged it and lifted my fingers to his lips.
“No, you did something wonderful.”
“What?”
He turned onto the main road and glanced over at me. “You touched me. You haven’t reached for me in over a week. I’ve been the instigator and you’ve avoided my touch. I guess you’re starting to trust me again.”
I shrugged. “I guess so.” I watched the trees fly by and wished the car could move slower. Inside this small box, all the outside noise faded and it was just the two of us.
“Scarlet?”
“Yeah?”
