Page 104 of Irresistibly Wicked

“Of all our lives,” his grandfather said. “Hours later, when your grandmother and I finally went home, we were beside ourselves with grief, and there you were, sitting on the living room couch watching television, elbow-deep in a box of cereal. Your grandmother dropped to her knees in tears, and you thought it was because your dad said you could live with us and she didn’t want you.” His grandfather shook his head. “It was a mess.”

Silence fell around them.

Zander scrubbed a hand down his face, trying to ward off the emotions gnawing at him, and said, “I’m sorry I did that. It sounds awful.”

“It was,” his mother said softly. “But don’t you see, honey? You’ve always been smart. You didn’t just run away. You got permission, and while leaving in the middle of the night was wrong, you taught us a valuable lesson to always say what we mean.”

“And to listen closer to what you and the other kids said at all times,” his father added. “I’m sorry you ever felt like you were anything less than perfect in any of our eyes. Mischievous? Sure. Reckless? Absolutely. But never stupid. Dyslexia is just another thing our family dealt with. Like Blaine being so controlling he was suffocating everyone, and Zeke being so anal about every lesson, he drove his teachers crazy.”

Overcome with emotion, Zander cleared his throat and said, “I know I’m not stupid, and I know none of you think I am now, but it’s how I felt as a kid, and the issues I’ve had since the accident brought it all back. I’m trying to prove I don’t need extra sets of eyes on me, and lying to you wasn’t the right way to go about it. I’m sorry.”

“We’re sorry, too, honey.” His mother hugged him. “I know you’re an adult, and you don’t have to tell us anything, but I’d like to think that when it comes to something as important as your health, we’d be able to trust your word.”

“I get that now.” Zander turned to Shauna, earning another supportive smile, and said, “Someone reminded me how lucky I am to have people who care about me. Shauna is the reason I went to the doctor, and she’s the reason I’m telling you the truth.” He reached for Shauna’s hand. “The truth is, it’s been scary not knowing if it would get worse. But now we know it should get better, and honestly, it’s not that bad. Nobody even noticed, except Shauna.”

“I’m grateful she sees past the smoke and mirrors you throw up for the rest of us,” his father said.

“Yeah, I am, too.”

“Well, I don’t know about you, but with all that worrying, I’ve worked up my appetite,” his mother said. “Can you stay for dinner?”

“I don’t know. I promised Shauna ice cream for dinner.” Zander arched a brow at her. “What do you think, darlin’?”

“Stick around for dinner,” his grandfather encouraged. “You can save Preacher a drive later and take me home.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Shauna said.

“Wonderful.” His mother sidled up to her and said, “I’m looking forward to cooking with you and the girls this weekend.”

“I’m excited to learn how to do something other than burn water,” Shauna said, and smiled at Zander.

His brothers and Tobias were coming over to help him finish the living room on Saturday. He was glad Shauna would be having fun with the girls. He gave her hand a squeeze, mouthing Thank you, before letting go so she and his mother could continue their conversation on their way inside.

Zander helped his father and grandfather put their tools away.

“That girl sees you clear as day, Zander,” his father said.

“Maybe clearer than you want to be seen, given your situation,” his grandfather said.

She did see him clearer than he wanted, since he’d never wanted to be seen in the first place. He liked skating by, grinning and dodging, keeping all his faults and imperfections out of sight. That was safer for everyone. But he couldn’t deny how badly he wanted Shauna to keep looking.

His grandfather nudged him, speaking quietly as the three men headed inside. “We’ll hit the ice cream shop on the way home, get your pretty little lady whatever she wants for getting you to smarten up.”

Zander chuckled. “Sounds good, Gramps.” He made a mental note to go to the ice cream shop that offered sugar-free treats and looked forward to thanking his beautiful wife properly later.

Chapter Thirty-Five

“DUDE, HOLD IT still,” Tobias said.

It was Saturday afternoon, tunes were blaring, and Zander’s cottage looked like a construction zone. The guys were helping him finish the living room. They’d been giving each other a hard time for hours as he, Tobias, and Zeke hung and taped drywall and Blaine and Maverick did the stonework around the fireplace.

“I’m holding it as still as fucking stone,” Zander said, holding the drywall in place for Tobias.

“Still, my ass. You’re twitchy as shit,” Tobias said.

Zander glared at him. “I’ll give you twitchy.”

“Shut up and hold still so I can screw the damn thing,” Tobias barked.