“You must be Trick?”
“Yes,” he answers.
“Hi, I’m Mary.”
“Nice to meet you.”
Mary steps back. “I’m going to go get some coffee. Can I get either of you anything?”
I don’t respond.
“We’re fine, thanks,” Trick replies.
“What happened?” I whisper.
Mary stops at the door. “They were on their way to dinner and a driver ran a red light. They hit the back half of the vehicle on your father’s side.”
“Nana must have been sitting upfront with the driver. She always sits upfront.” I smile and squeeze her hand, so grateful that she was in a safer spot.
“Grady and Tamsen are on their way.” Trick kisses the top of my head.
I nod. “You should go back with them. I’m going to stay here with Nana tonight. You can come get us in the morning.”
“I’ll stay with you.”
“No, Grady and Tamsen are here to see you.”
Trick leans down, kissing the top of my head. “They’re here for you, Darby. We’re all here for you.”
“Nana’s going to be fine. Grady and Tamsen didn’t need to fly in for a concussion.”
Trick starts to say something just as Nana’s eyes creep open.
“Nana!” I squeeze her hand again.
“Darby, dear.” Her voice is rough and weak.
“I was so worried about you.”
She moves her head from side to side. “I’m sorry—”
“No, it’s fine, Nana. I’m just glad you’re okay.”
“It was my idea … to go to dinner … he didn’t want to go.”
I shake my head. “Shh … it’s fine, you’re fine. The doctor said you can go home tomorrow. I’m staying with you tonight.”
She narrows her eyes, looking past me to Trick.
“Hi, Grace. Glad to see you’re doing well.”
I turn to look at Trick. His expression is hard to read. It’s like the two of them are saying something that they’re not actually saying.
“We’ll get you home tomorrow and you and Darby can spend some more time alone… talking.”
Nana nods, squeezing my hand, her eyes glassy with tears. “Yes, dear, tomorrow we’ll talk.”
Chapter Forty-One
Grady texts me that he and Tamsen are in the waiting room, so I excuse myself. Turning the corner from Grace’s room I’m greeted with Rachel. She freezes, all color draining from her face. Just as quickly as it disappears it comes back. She glares at me. I don’t think she’s waiting for me to give my condolences.
“Visitors are restricted to family only,” she sneers.
“I was visiting my wife’s grandmother.” I hold up my left hand and point to the tattoo on my ring finger.
The color leaves her face again as she averts her eyes, brushing past me.
“By the way …” I turn. Her jaw’s clenched, eyes squinted at me. “I know what you’re doing and you’d better knock it off or I’ll bury you. Got it?”
I don’t “got it” or “get it” for that matter, but I’m not going to let her know it. “Darby’s in there. I don’t think she wants to see you. Besides, I think I’m actually considered family more than you are, given recent events.”
Her jaw drops.
There’s your fucking condolences, bitch!
*
“Hey …” Tamsen hugs me. “How’s Darby?”
“In denial.”
“What?” Grady hugs me too.
“I told her about her father and several other people have tried to comfort her, but she won’t even acknowledge that anything about him is being said, let alone that he’s dead. Her only focus is Grace.”
“That’s not good,” Grady grimaces.
“No, but Grace goes home tomorrow and I’m hoping if they spend some time together Grace will be able to help her acknowledge and accept what has happened.”
“She’s in shock, that’s all.” Tamsen hands me a bottle of water.
“Yeah, I suppose.”
“We saw Rachel Hart walk that way, then she left as quickly as she came.” Grady sips his coffee. “We met years back, but I’m sure she doesn’t remember me, otherwise I would have given her my condolences.”
I shrug, gulping down the remainder of my water. “Don’t sweat it. I gave her condolences from all of us.”
Grady raises a suspicious brow. “Must have been why she was leaving so fast.”
“Hmm … I hadn’t noticed.”
Chapter Forty-Two
I insist Trick go home with Grady and Tamsen. They all look me over with a careful eye. I glance down at myself. I got dressed in a hurry, it’s possible my clothes don’t match.
“What?”
Both Grady and Tamsen hug me before walking out of the room.
“Nothing, baby.” Trick pulls me into his arms, leaning down to nuzzle his nose in my hair. “I love you. Call me if you need anything. Okay?”
I nod, then he presses a soft kiss to my lips. “Goodnight.”
“Night.” I smile.
Nana eats her dinner while I sip a Green Lantern, compliments of Jade.
“So what do you want to talk about?” Nana asks.
I shrug, then hold up my left hand with a smile. “Trick decided to forego the traditional diamond and permanently mark me instead.”
Nana grabs my hand and laughs. “My Darby has a tattoo. Never thought I’d see that day.” She winks. “But I’m glad I did.”