Grim & The City: A Grimlock Family Short

by Amanda M. Lee

  “We’re here for you.” Aisling delivered the short statement with bright eyes and an earnest smile. It was impressive. “We came because we wanted to see you.”

  “Is that true?” Jerry turned to me for confirmation. He was well aware of Aisling’s tendency to lie whenever the mood struck.

  “Of course it’s true.”

  Aisling and I learned together at a young age how to save ourselves. We’re quite adept when the situation calls for it.

  “Oh, well, I’m so happy!” Jerry clapped his hands as he surprised me with a hard hug. “Thank you for admitting you were wrong.”

  Wait … is that what just happened? I don’t remember it happening that way.

  “I’ll grab brochures for you guys and we can make some decisions about what we want to see. I’ll be right back.” Jerry’s eyes sparkled as he darted off, his joy palpable.

  “You’ll handle this?” I cocked a challenging eyebrow as I pinned Aisling with a disgusted look. “What is wrong with you?”

  Aisling didn’t bother to feign an apology. “You’re welcome.”

  “I’m not thankful for this.”

  “You should be.”

  “Oh, suck it.” I folded my arms over my chest, frustrated. “This is going to come back to bite me, and I don’t like it one little bit.”

  “I don’t see why you’re whining. Jerry is happy, and we now have a cover for what we have to do.”

  I blew a wet raspberry in her face, delighting in the way her eyes narrowed as she wiped the spit from her cheek. “Jerry is not an idiot. He’ll figure out that we’re up to something. When he does figure it out, he’ll melt down.”

  “I think you’re exaggerating. Jerry doesn’t melt down all willy-nilly or anything.”

  I love my boyfriend beyond reason. More importantly, I liked him as a friend before we started dating. The fact that Aisling could say Jerry wasn’t prone to meltdowns with a straight face was beyond dumbfounding. “He’s a drama llama.”

  Aisling snorted. “I don’t get that term. Jerry doesn’t look like a llama.”

  “No, but he’s beyond dramatic when he wants to be.”

  “I think you’re giving him a bad rap,” Aisling argued. “Sure, he has a certain … um … tone when he gets excitable. That doesn’t mean he’s dramatic.”

  “You always take his side.” I shook my head. “Always. Even when you know you’re spouting a bunch of nonsense, you always take his side. He does the same for you. It’s frustrating.”

  “Because you’re jealous?”

  The question caught me off guard. “Why would I be jealous?”

  “Because he’s my best friend and I know him better.”

  That was simply ludicrous. “You don’t know him better.”

  “I do, too.”

  “You do, not.”

  “I do, too.”

  “Do not.”

  “I do, too. Heck, I even saw him naked before you did.” Aisling’s expression was smug. “If that doesn’t indicate that I know him better, I don’t know what does.”

  I knew what she was trying to do, and it wouldn’t work on me. “It doesn’t count when you’re five and Mom forces you into the same bathtub because you got filthy while playing in the yard.”

  “Oh, it counts.”

  “Whatever.” I waved off her haughty countenance. “The fact remains that Jerry is going to figure out that we’re not here for the home expo pretty quickly. You have a runaway soul and another one to absorb in the near future. How do you think you’re going to fool him when it’s time to whip out your scepter?”

  Instead of throwing out some prissy response, Aisling chuckled. “Whip out my scepter? If I were a dude, that would almost be porn worthy.”

  She had a point, but I had no intention of encouraging her. “Jerry is going to find out.”

  “He won’t. Have a little faith. I know exactly what I’m doing.”

  That’s what I was afraid of. “When this blows up in your face, I’m going to laugh because you’ve got it coming. When this blows up in my face, I’m going to find you and rub your face in my armpit for an hour.”

  “Ah, the threat of brothers the world over,” Aisling deadpanned.

  “It’s a classic for a reason.” I leaned forward so we were eye to eye. “This is going to suck, and it’s all your fault.”

  Aisling smirked. “Have you been talking to Dad? That seems to be his lament these days.”

  “Just … figure out a way to find your soul without tipping off Jerry. Oh, and if you can think of a way to beat the rogue reapers without drawing attention, that would be great, too.”

  “Don’t demand the impossible or anything.”

  I had no sympathy for my sister despite the pouty look on her face. “This is your fault. I won’t forget it either. I put my foot down with Jerry and now he thinks I capitulated and he won. This won’t end well for me.”

  “It might.”

  “It won’t, and we both know it. Jerry thinks he has the power now.”

  To my surprise, Aisling’s expression softened. “He doesn’t really think that way. I mean … he wants what he wants when he wants it, of course, but he doesn’t want absolute power or anything. That’s not how he is.”

  I ran my tongue over my teeth as I regarded her. “I’m not saying he’s a megalomaniac or anything.”

  “I know. He won’t hold this against you, though. He just wanted you to be involved in planning your future. It’s the same thing Griffin wants from me. I’ve had to adjust my thinking because of it.

  “The truth is, we’re selfish in a lot of ways,” she continued. “We grew up spoiled, so we think our partners should continue spoiling us. We only want to do what we want to do and not compromise when someone wants to do something we’re not interested in.”

  Hmm. Aisling is even freakier when she’s serious. “And you’ve suddenly learned to compromise?”

  “No.” Aisling grinned as she shook her head. “I have learned that I need to keep trying for Griffin’s benefit. We are set in our ways. You much less than me, but you’re still bad on a lot of things.

  “You need to ask yourself why it was so important for Jerry to involve you in this,” she continued. “My guess is that it’s the same reason Griffin wanted me involved in picking out paint colors. He’s not trying to annoy you … no matter how much you might believe the opposite. He’s trying to build a home for both of you.”

  I balked. “I’m happy with the home we have. There’s nothing wrong with it. I’ve always been comfortable there. I simply don’t see the need to waste money on furniture and paintings when we could save up and spend it on a trip instead.”

  “You might want to mention that to him, although I wouldn’t use the word ‘waste.’ Entice him with the trip. Maybe put that hangdog expression on your face that you’re so good at. I get not being interested in interior design. We’ve never been that sort of people.”

  “Mostly because we thought Dad’s idea of interior design was overbearing,” I grumbled.

  “Pretty much,” Aisling confirmed. “That doesn’t change the fact that Jerry wants to decorate with you. All you have to do is compromise. Say that you love the big, ugly vase and think it would look divine in the living room … but only if you keep the couch you already have.”

  I was intrigued by her approach. “That’s interesting.”

  “And it works. I did it when we were picking out stuff for our townhouse. Griffin actually thinks I care about the mugs in the kitchen. I don’t care. They’re freaking mugs. He thinks I care, though. That’s the important thing.”

  “And he’s happy because he thinks you care?”

  Aisling smirked. “Have you ever seen him happier?”

  That was a very good question. “Okay, I’ll try it. But if this blows up in my face I’m totally blaming you.”

  “I would expect nothing less.”

  “WHAT DO YOU think of this settee?”

  Jerry was all smiles
as he gestured toward an orange monstrosity that reminded me of pumpkin innards more than a couch.

  “Um … .”

  Aisling snagged my gaze behind Jerry’s back and the nod she gave me was obvious.

  “I think it’s interesting,” I replied after a beat. “It’s just … I really like this.” I strolled over to an odd-looking sculpture I saw Jerry eyeing a few minutes before. I had no idea what it was supposed to represent, but it was much easier to ignore than a gutted-looking pumpkin sofa. “The thing is, I don’t think it goes with the settee.”

  “I agree.” Aisling slipped closer to look at the sculpture, all the while constantly lifting her eyes to scan the crowd for her soul. “I think this sculpture is lovely.”

  “I like it a lot, too,” Jerry said. “I think I might like the settee more.”

  I scowled behind his back when he shifted to stare at the item in question, adopting his “thinking” face as he tapped his chin. The glare I lobbed in Aisling’s direction promised mayhem later.

  Aisling rolled her eyes, but stepped up to the plate. “Jerry, I’m going to be honest. I don’t think that couch is right for the space.”

  “It’s a settee,” Jerry corrected.

  “It looks like a big orange vagina,” Aisling shot back. “Do you see the way the back opens up in a fan that way? That’s not normal.”

  “I would assume an orange vagina is never normal,” I added. “Of course, I have no personal experience with a vagina, so I can’t say that’s completely true.”

  “It doesn’t look like a vagina,” Jerry protested.

  “It does,” Aisling argued. “In fact … sit down on it.”

  Jerry did as instructed and Aisling lifted her phone to snap a photo. When she was done, she emailed it to Jerry and ordered him to study it.

  “Imagine what people will think if they see you sitting on a huge orange vagina,” Aisling said, jerking her head to the right when something caught her attention.

  I followed her gaze, curious. It took me a moment to sort through the crowded aisle, but when I finally did I recognized the leather-clad couple scanning the expo floor. “Well, well, well,” I muttered.

  Aisling bobbed her chin. “I told you.”

  “I haven’t seen them around in a long time, not since long before Fontaine popped back up on our radar screen.” I risked a glance over my shoulder and found Jerry completely distracted by the orange settee. He stared at his image in the photograph and then back down, frowning as if he honestly thought there was a chance people might think he was sitting on a real orange vagina. “What do you remember about them?”

  “The first time I met Sheridan I was a teenager,” Aisling replied. “I was, like, fourteen, and I think she was about twenty. She was dating Fontaine. Dad was taking me for our monthly dinner when we ran into them.”

  Given the fact that there were five of us, Dad got it into his head at a certain point that we weren’t going to get enough specialized attention. To combat that, he set up monthly dinners with all of us so he could spend two hours with us one-on-one. The dinners were considered favorite activities for a long time, mostly because Dad spared no expense and we could pick whatever restaurant we desired. The practice stopped when my older brothers started picking strip clubs and Dad put his foot down.

  “That must have gone over well considering how much Dad hated Fontaine,” I noted.

  “Dad wasn’t happy, but I didn’t really understand what was going on. I was fourteen and thought I knew everything, but I really knew nothing. I just remember looking at Sheridan and thinking that she looked really cool in her leather pants. I wanted to buy a pair to wear to school the next day.”

  I snorted. “I’m sure that went over well with Dad.”

  “Yeah, I remember the look on his face when I told him I wanted leather pants to look like Sheridan. He told me that I was never allowed to wear leather pants and I was perfectly fine as I was.”

  “How did you respond to that?”

  “I suckered him into buying me a new watch instead, because I needed something to smooth my raw emotions from not getting the pants.”

  “Ugh.” I made a disgusted face. “You always know exactly how to manipulate Dad. It’s ridiculous.”

  Aisling shrugged. “He can’t help it. He goes to mush because I’m the only girl. If you expect me to ignore that fact, you’re crazy.”

  “Whatever. That’s hardly important.” I tilted my head to the side as I watched Sheridan and her partner pick their way through the expo. “I recognize the guy, too. I can’t quite remember from where. He’s been around a long time, though.”

  “Did you ever see him with Fontaine?” Aisling was understandably curious. Fontaine had a hand in our reunion with the mother we thought long dead. Aisling was convinced Fontaine died with more secrets than he had time to share. If she could find out what those secrets were, it would ease her mind … at least a bit.

  “I might have seen him with Fontaine,” I conceded after a beat. “I never paid as much attention to Fontaine as you did, so I can’t be sure. I knew Dad hated Fontaine, but he was never much of a concern to me. But I know I’ve seen that guy before.”

  Aisling thoughtfully scratched her cheek. “We need to get closer to them, perhaps even talk to them. I don’t think they’ve seen me yet. If they have, I didn’t notice. If we walk right up and challenge them they might be more apt to leave.”

  That sounded like an absolutely terrible idea. “Why would we go up and talk to them?”

  Aisling shrugged, noncommittal. “Why not?”

  “Because they might start throwing punches. That won’t go over well at a home expo.”

  “It might if we choose to take them on in front of that fireplace display.” Aisling pointed for emphasis. “They have a bunch of fireplace tools. Those things are heavy, which makes them good weapons.”

  I let loose with a “well, duh” look. “And when the cops are called to arrest us for assault?”

  Aisling shrugged. “I figure we’d tackle that problem when faced with it. This isn’t Griffin’s jurisdiction, so he can’t help us, but given the way they’re dressed we can probably pretend they threatened us and get away with it.”

  “That’s kind of stereotypical.”

  “Sheridan’s boobs are practically hanging out of that top,” Aisling argued.

  “And sexist,” I added.

  “I’m fine with that.” Aisling crossed her arms over her chest. “We can’t just ignore them. Do you have a better idea?”

  “Well … .” I hated being put on the spot. Now that Aisling made her feelings known I understood I either had to put up or shut up. Sadly, I had nothing to put up. I blew out a heavy sigh. “Fine. I’ll go with you. If we get in a fight I’m totally blaming you.”

  “You should have a shirt made up with that slogan. It seems to be your favorite these days.”

  “Whatever. Hold on.” I turned back to Jerry, a lie on the tip of my tongue. Jerry was so focused on the settee and the photograph he barely noticed me. “Aisling and I are going to look around. We won’t be gone long.”

  “Fine. Whatever.” Jerry waved me off. “I need to give this some serious thought. It could be a life-changing decision.”

  I managed not to roll my eyes, but just barely. “Okay, well … we’ll be right back.”

  “Don’t go anywhere,” Aisling added. “We want to be able to see you on the couch from various angles so we can all make an informed decision together. You know you look very different depending on the angle, so it’s important.”

  Hmm. I had to give her credit. That was an inspired way to keep Jerry in one place. “Nice one,” I muttered.

  Aisling was smug. “I thought so.”

  “I’m not going anywhere.” Jerry didn’t even look up. “Now that you’ve used the V-word, that’s all I can see when I look at this photo. I’ll be really angry if you’ve ruined this couch for me, Bug.”

  Aisling clearly wasn’t bothered by the
threat. “Add it to your list of things you’re mad about and I’m sure you’ll forgive me eventually.”

  “You’d better hope that’s the case.”

  “I always do.” Aisling grabbed my arm and dragged me away. “Now, come on. I want to see what the rogues are up to. And I’m dying to talk to Sheridan again now that I’m an adult and way hotter than her.”

  “Oh, well, that sounds healthy.”

  “I guess we’ll have to wait and see.”

  4

  Four

  Jerry was so caught up in whatever interior decorating fantasy running through his head he didn’t even bother to wave when Aisling and I stepped into the crowd. I kept close to Aisling out of habit more than worry. Even if she picked a fight with the rogue reapers – which she was likely to do – I doubted she’d be in physical danger due to the crowd.

  “Do you know which way they headed?”

  Aisling nodded and pointed. “That way.”

  “I think we should follow them a bit,” I suggested. “Maybe they sighted your soul. What’s his name again?”

  “Edgar Wedgins.”

  “Really?” I tried to hide my smile and failed. “That’s kind of a sad name, huh?”

  “I’m guessing he got a lot of wedgies in his day,” Aisling confirmed. “I still can’t believe I lost him.”

  “And I can’t believe you were in a public bathroom stall with an old dude. I believe that was one of the first things Mom and Dad warned you about when you were a kid.”

  “Don’t remind me of the talk.” Aisling made a disgusted face. “I’m pretty sure I’m still traumatized by that one. Dad brought it up again when I first started dating Griffin.”

  That was news to me. “Why?”

  “Because he said Griffin was exactly the sort of man he’d warned me about. Then he recited the list again just in case I was having too many nights without bad dreams.”

  I snorted. That sounded exactly like our father. Cormack Grimlock was nothing if not protective of his only daughter. Actually, in some ways – like dating and clothing choices – he was overprotective. In other ways – like allowing Aisling to get rough and tumble with us – he took a step back. At the time I didn’t realize that it was because he was worried about Aisling feeling separated from the pack. As an adult, I can recognize and respect what he did for her. As a child, I was often annoyed because we were never allowed to have anything purely for the boys even though Aisling often had special outings designed for her because she was a girl.