Page 187 of The Way I Hate Him
I pull into the parking spot for Gran’s apartment and put the car in park.
“And if she says anything that offends you, I’m sorry in advance. Like I said, she’s a little nutty. Just be mentally prepared for that.”
“Nutty I can handle, but angry with me for having sex with her famous grandson? Not sure I can handle that one.”
“There won’t be any anger, I promise.” I round the car and open her door for her.
Dressed in a pretty light green dress with her hair styled up into a high ponytail, she looks so damn beautiful that I keep telling myself how lucky I am to have her in my life. I take her hand in mine, and we walk up to Gran’s apartment, wondering if I should start thinking about a single-floor place for her to stay. Although, she loves the second floor because she has a better view. Seems like I might need to look into one of those chairlifts for the stairs. That way she gets her view and doesn’t have to worry about walking up and down the stairs.
When I reach her door, I squeeze Hattie’s hand, and I offer a knock.
“Why do you always knock? Just come in,” Gran shouts from her chair.
Turning to Hattie, I whisper, “Prepare yourself.”
I open the door and step in first, Hattie trailing me. “There you are,” Gran says. “But where is your lady friend?”
I tug Hattie forward who smiles and waves at Gran. “Hello, it’s so nice to meet you,” Hattie says.
Gran adjusts her glasses on her nose and gives Hattie the most thorough once-over I’ve ever witnessed. Slow and observant, Gran scans her from her feet all the way up to her face. And when she’s finally done, she says, “Great hips for having a child.”
Yup, I fucking knew it.
“Oh, uh, thank you,” Hattie says awkwardly.
“Are you pregnant?” Gran asks.
“Can you please not start with that?” I ask her. “Maybe say hi and get to know Hattie before you start asking her about her uterus?”
Gran shakes her head. “We don’t have time for pleasantries. I’m dying, and I need great-grandchildren. So, are you pregnant?”
Thankfully, Hattie handles Gran with grace. She walks into the room and sits across from her in the seat I normally occupy while visiting. “I’m not pregnant. I’m sorry.”
“What a shame,” Gran says. “You seem like you could handle a pregnancy well.”
“You know, I’ve thought the same thing,” Hattie says. “But your grandson doesn’t want to get me pregnant. Told me to my face, can you believe that?”
What the hell?
“Hayes Richard Farrow!” Gran yells. “How dare you say you don’t want her children when you know damn well she has the hips for it?”
“That’s what I told him,” Hattie says. “I pointed at my hips and said, ‘these were made for your baby.’”
“Stand up,” Gran says. Hattie stands in front of her, and to my horror, Gran grips Hattie’s hips and gives them a good shake. “By God, they’re sturdy.” She looks up at Hattie. “Has he implanted his seed?”
“Okay, that’s enough,” I say, moving Hattie away from Gran. “Jesus. I didn’t bring Hattie here so you can berate her about having my baby.”
“Then why did you bring her here?” Gran asks as I take a seat on the chair across from her and pull Hattie down on my lap.
“Because I wanted to introduce you to my girlfriend.”
Gran waves her hand dismissively. “Oh, I know who Hattie Rowley is. She dated that pipsqueak Matt for a while. She leveled up if you ask me. Although she might be a little out of your league, Hayes. Have you thought about that?”
“Yeah, have you thought about that, Hayes?” Hattie asks, looking back at me.
Oh, is she going to pay for this later. “I have, and I’m just going to be grateful for every minute she gives me.”
Gran shakes her head. “He says those kinds of things in his songs. Make sure you stay on your toes.”
