Page 76

GRACE

I’m sitting in Drew’s car outside an apartment building downtown. It’s perfectly respectable. The massage parlor next door, however, is not. Its neon sign blinks aggressively, promising “relaxation” in a way that feels distinctly un-relaxing. I have a strong suspicion they’re rubbing a lot more than shoulders in there.

Drew didn’t tell me where we were going. This morning, after Finn and Dad left for the country club, he just said, “We’re heading out,” and refused to give me any more details. He’s been unusually quiet and tense the entire drive—nothing like his usual self.

I tried putting my hand on his thigh to loosen him up, but he took it off and said “not now.”

Then five minutes ago, he disappeared into this building.

Finally, the front doors swing open and he steps out with a little boy at his side.

The kid looks about ten, with messy dark hair, big blue eyes, and a faded gray t-shirt that’s a size too small. He’s wearing jeans and scuffed sneakers, and he’s smiling—a shy but curious little grin as he looks at the car.

I quickly hop out so Drew can tilt the passenger seat forward. The kid doesn’t even pause, he dives straight into the back seat like it’s the coolest thing he’s ever seen, bouncing once before buckling himself in with eager, clumsy hands.

“Grace, this is Theo,” Drew says once we’re all settled.

I twist around in my seat and give the boy my brightest smile. “Hi.”

He grins wider, a little more confident now. “Hi. You’re really pretty.”

My heart melts instantly. He’s adorable—that perfect mix of shy and bold only kids can pull off.

“And Theo is…” I prompt, glancing at Drew. I’m worried for a moment that Drew will say something like “my son.”

“My coworker’s brother,” Drew answers, clearing his throat.

Before I can say anything else, Theo leans forward between the seats, eyes bright. “My mom died,” he announces matter-of-factly, like it’s the most normal conversation starter in the world.

“Oh…I’m so sorry,” I say softly. I have no idea how to talk to kids, especially not about something this heavy.

Drew shifts uncomfortably in his seat. “So, uh…what do you like to do for fun?” he asks Theo.

“I just go wherever Levi goes.”

“Which is?”

“The bar, mostly. Sometimes the snooker club.”

“Right. Good plan—” Drew starts.

“We are not taking a kid to a bar,” I cut in, horrified. “Or a snooker club.”

Drew blinks, looking genuinely puzzled. “Right.”

I twist around in my seat again. “What do you want to do?”

He hesitates, chewing on his bottom lip. “My friends at school go to the arcade at the mall. But I’ve never been. Levi says arcades are for dorks.”

I’m guessing Levi is his brother. He doesn’t sound like the best influence.

“Well,” I say, smiling, “then I guess we’re dorks today. Because that’s exactly where we’re going.”

Theo’s whole face lights up with the biggest, brightest grin. It’s contagious. Even Drew looks relieved, his shoulders finally relaxing as he puts the car in drive.

“Arcade it is,” he says.

An hour later, Theo is a whirlwind of pure energy. Drew has turned into a human ATM, feeding token after token into the machines while Theo races from one game to the next—shooting hoops, driving race cars, and glaring at the claw machine that took all his tokens and gave him nothing.