EPILOGUE
Grace
Years later…
“Daaad.”I hate the whiny note in my voice. “It’s not fair. Alexa and I don’t need Chance to babysit us all summer.”
Chance—the smug jerk—kicks back in one of our dining room chairs, laces his hands behind his head, and shoots me a shit-eating grin, complete with his adorable dimples that absolutely do not work on me.
“Grace,” Dad rumbles in a similar tone he uses to lay down the law to the club, “Chance has his own job lined up working for Dawson. It has nothing to do with you.”
Chance sticks his tongue out at me.
“Mom!” I protest, turning her way. Surely, she’s not going to allow this patriarchal bullshit.
“It’ll be nice for the three of you to be together. You can all look out for each other.” She pins me with her serious mom stare. “Honestly, it’s the only reason I’m allowing you to go. I still think you’re too young to be out on the road all summer.”
No. Oh no. Nope. Alexa and I fought too hard for Mom to yank her permission away now. “Aunt Shelby will be watching out for us,” I sputter.
“Aunt Shelby is busy performing,” she argues. Having a lawyer for a mom is the worst.
“Yeah, but Alexa and I will be her assistants so we’ll be by her side twenty-four seven.” Ha ha, having a lawyer for a sister-in-law is the best. I’ve learned the art of persuasion from Charlotte.
I shoot a look at Alexa. Jump in and help any time now. But she remains silent and continues watching with an amused expression.
“Bet Uncle Rooster’s gonna love that,” Chance mutters, reminding me of his annoying presence. “You two constantly pestering him.”
“Aunt Heidi, are you really allowing this? It’s insulting.”
She flicks her gaze to my dad then to Chance’s dad. “Uncle Z, are you sure you don’t need your son at home this summer?” Aunt Heidi asks.
I knew she’d be on our side.
“Sorry, Heidi-girl.” Z walks behind Chance’s chair and squeezes his shoulders. “Gotta let the bird outta the nest sometime. Besides, he wants to gain experience doing whatever the hell it is he’s doing for Dawson.”
“Sorry, I tried.” Aunt Heidi gives me a helpless shrug. Too bad she can barely hide her laughter.
So much for being on our side.
Alexa rolls her eyes at me. “Saw that coming. My mom’s in on this too. I overheard her talking to Dad about it.” She slides a stink eye at her mom. “Otherwise he wasn’t going to let me go.”
“There’s still time to change our minds,” Aunt Heidi says.
“Great,” I grumble. “Glad everyone finds this so amusing.”
Heidi nudges her oldest daughter. “Go home and finish packing, smart-ass.”
“Toodles!” Alexa waves at us over her shoulder as she hurries out the front door.
Aunt Trinity’s been sipping coffee in our kitchen, where she could quietly watch the drama but not be part of it. Now, she sets her mug down with a hard thump. “I am outraged on your behalf, Grace,” she says. “Absolutely outraged.”
She’s also not trying hard to hide her giggles.
“No you’re not,” I grouch, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Aw, come here.” She pulls me in for a hug. “You’re going to have a great time.”
I hug her tight and rest my head on her shoulder. “We’re not babies.”