“I thought for sure you would bounce through the door and make a grand announcement,” Jerry said.
“What announcement?” Dad leaned forward, his brow creased. “You’re not pregnant, are you, Aisling? I will cut your hands off if she is, Griffin. I don’t care if you are a member of this family now.”
“I’m not pregnant,” I scoffed.
“She’s not pregnant,” Jerry confirmed. “She’s just … .” His lower lip quivered as he tried to collect himself.
“Oh, I can’t take this,” Cillian muttered. “Aisling and Griffin are moving in together. Griffin and Aidan bought the townhouse next door, and Aisling and Aidan are going to swap deeds. Aisling is moving in with Griffin and Aidan is moving in with Jerry. There. Is everyone happy?”
Jerry burst into tears. “I’m not. She didn’t even give me a chance to agree to her decision before she launched it on me. I feel so … unimportant. It’s like I’m wearing last year’s loafers.”
“I blame the detective,” Mom said, reaching over to pat Jerry’s hand. “There, there.”
“What?” Dad’s face was a mottled shade of red when I risked a glance in his direction.
“We’re moving in together,” Griffin said wearily. “I was going to tell you tonight before … all of this.”
“You can’t move in together,” Dad argued. “You’re not married.”
“Not yet,” Griffin said. “Eventually we’ll get there. For now we’re moving in together.”
“And my life is over,” Jerry wailed.
“I can’t believe this,” Dad said, crumpling his napkin and throwing it on the table. “My daughter almost died yesterday, my dead wife is sitting at the table, and now the handsy cop is moving in with my daughter. Could this night deteriorate any further?”
Mom’s smile was enigmatic. “Well, I have good news if you’re interested,” she said. “We’re still married and I want to give our marriage another try. I want to move back home. If you’re not comfortable with that right away, I completely understand. I think we should begin therapy together, though.”
“And I’m done,” Dad said, turning and stalking out of the room.
“And you thought this would be easy,” I said, patting Griffin’s hand as I reached for the brandy. He was too distracted to notice. This night was officially the pits.
15
Fifteen
Dad and I weren’t alone in imbibing over dinner. After Dad stormed out and locked himself in his office, Braden fawned over Mom to the point I was forced to empty the bottle of brandy and was officially drunk. Griffin gave in and drank, too, and before I knew what was happening we passed out in my old bedroom.
I woke with a start in the middle of the night, something niggling in the back of my brain. Griffin slept on his back, his mouth open as he lightly snored. I was used to it. That wasn’t what woke me.
I climbed out of bed and moved toward the door, frowning when I realized we were so drunk we hadn’t bothered to close it, let alone lock it. That wasn’t exactly safe in a house I shared with four brothers, an irked father and a returned-from-the-dead mother, but I couldn’t go back in time and fix it, so I let it go.
I padded out into the hallway, the dull ache in my shoulder returning as the alcohol wore off. I found Jerry sitting outside Aidan’s bedroom, a far-off look in his eye. His shoulders were slouched and he was clearly pouting.
“Jerry?”
Jerry snapped his head in my direction. “You shouldn’t be out of bed, Bug,” he chided. “You’re still recovering.”
If he was calling me by his favorite nickname his anger was probably dissipating, but I still felt bad. I gingerly lowered myself to the floor, putting all of my weight on my good side, and then rested my back against the wall as I regarded Jerry. “I’m really sorry.”
My voice cracked and I felt ridiculous for crying over something that we would laugh about in a few weeks, but I wasn’t particularly proud of hurting Jerry.
“I know you are,” Jerry said. “Go back to bed.”
“I can’t go back to bed,” I replied. “Something woke me from a dead sleep, and when I say ‘dead,’ I mean dead drunk. I think that was you.”
“I’ve been completely quiet,” Jerry protested. “I’ve been sitting out here and keeping to myself. You have no idea how difficult it’s been, mostly because I wanted to storm into your room and shake you.”
I laughed despite myself. “Jerry, I love you,” I said. “I’ve always loved you. You’re still my best friend. You know we couldn’t live together forever, though. We talked about it when we bought the townhouse. We agreed then that we’d eventually split up.”
“I didn’t think some far away future then would turn into reality now,” Jerry admitted. “I mean, in the back of my head, I knew you and Griffin were going somewhere. I knew Aidan and I were, too. I just thought I would have more time to say goodbye to you.”
I didn’t bother to hide my snort. “What goodbye, Jerry? We’ll be living right next door to each other. Griffin and Aidan went out of their way to keep us together. It won’t really be all that different.”
Jerry arched a challenging eyebrow. “Oh, really? What happens if I want to crawl into bed with you and gossip in the morning?”
“You’ll have your own key so you can come and go as you please,” I answered, not missing a beat. “You’re allowed to come and see me whenever you want. Heck, I’m coming over to your place every morning for breakfast because we both know I’m not going to cook.
“Griffin isn’t trying to shut you out of my life,” I continued. “He’s trying to carve out a corner for himself. I think he’s earned it.”
Jerry sighed. “I know that. I knew it was coming. It still hurt that you didn’t tell me.”
“Hey, they didn’t tell me either,” I pointed out. “Griffin sprung it on me after the big ‘I love you’ scene we made. He was worried I would melt down, and I didn’t like seeing that fear in his eyes. I don’t think I’m fair to him all of the time.”
“I think you’re very fair to him. He’s lucky to have you.” Jerry is the most loyal person I know. There’s a reason he’s the best friend I’ve ever had. “He should bow down and worship you whenever he gets the chance.”
I barked out a laugh. “The same goes for you and Aidan. Personally, I think you could do better.”
“You’re cute, Bug,” Jerry said, resting his head against my good shoulder.
“Are we okay, Jerry?”
“We’re fine, Bug,” Jerry said. “Once you pay for a spa day for the two of us, we’ll be perfect.”
“Awesome.” Actually, a spa day didn’t sound half bad. “We’ll talk again tomorrow morning. I should probably get some sleep. My shoulder aches.”
“Turn Griffin on his side and it will stop the snoring,” Jerry instructed.
Wait a second … . “Were you watching me sleep? Is that why I woke up?”
“I have no idea how you can sleep with all that nose racket he makes,” Jerry said, causing me to shake my head. “He sounds like some sort of animal.”
“I’ll take it under advisement.”
Griffin was quieter, breathing evenly when I went back to my bedroom and climbed under the covers. I rolled to my good side and rested my head on his shoulder, jolting when he slipped his arm underneath me and positioned me so we were both comfortable.
“Did I wake you?”
“Your absence woke me,” Griffin replied, not opening his eyes. “Did you make up with Jerry?”
“How did you know?”
“I know you,” Griffin said. “You couldn’t sleep without more alcohol or him back on your side. I’m glad you two are okay.”
“Well, we’re mostly okay,” I clarified. “I have to take him for a spa day if I want things to be really okay.”
“That sounds good,” Griffin murmured. “Get that butt buffing thing you had done that one time. I liked that.”
“Are you saying you don’t like my butt now?”
&n
bsp; “I love your butt, but you need to close your mouth,” Griffin said, his tone weary. “I’m exhausted, and I have a feeling your father will be a pain at breakfast tomorrow. We need our sleep.”
I couldn’t argue with that, so I cuddled close and pressed a kiss to Griffin’s cheek. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” Griffin said. “I’ll love you more if you go to sleep.”
I did as he asked. He was right. My father would be a bear in the morning. For once, I didn’t look forward to breakfast.
“DO YOU see him?”
“I can’t see through you, Aisling,” Griffin replied dryly the next morning as we hovered outside the dining room. “You’re in a better position to look than I am.”
“Maybe we should go out for breakfast,” I suggested.
“I thought you wanted to see if he had an omelet bar?”
Omelet bars were my favorite Grimlock breakfast treat. Still … . “What if he stabs you with his knife when he sees you?”
“Then I’ll arrest him.”
“What if he kills you?”
“Then I hope you’ll cry,” Griffin answered. “Aisling, it’s going to be okay. Your father is a reasonable man … well, some of the time. There’s no reason to be all … crazy.”
“You know we can hear you guys out there, right?” Cillian’s voice wafted into the hallway, and I cringed. I’d forgotten how easily voices carry in this area of the house.
Griffin pushed me forward and I reluctantly trudged into the room, shooting my father a sheepish smile as we sat at the table.
“Good morning, Aisling,” Dad said, his tone clipped as he perused his newspaper. “How did you sleep?”
“I think she slept on top of Griffin,” Cillian teased.
“Shut your mouth,” Redmond ordered, shaking his head. He looked as if he too was hung over. I was glad for the company. “No one needs to hear that this morning.”
“She doesn’t sleep on top of Griffin,” Jerry countered. “She sleeps cuddled up right next to him with her head on his chest. It’s really quite adorable – except for her drooling and his snoring.”
“I don’t drool.”
“You drool,” Griffin said, reaching for the pitcher of juice. “It’s fine, though. I find it cute.”
“You’re not going to find it cute when Dad kills you,” Redmond volunteered.
“Redmond, eat your breakfast,” Dad ordered. “Aisling, I see you and Jerry made up. I’m glad to see you two are happy again.”
“I am, too,” I said. “I don’t like it when we fight.”
“Can I assume you backed down regarding this ridiculous move and decided to postpone it?” Dad asked.
Griffin tilted his head to the side as he regarded me. “Is that how you made up?”
I shook my head. “Dad, the move is still on,” I said. “Jerry and I made up because … well … we can’t stay angry with each other.”
“It’s true,” Jerry said, nodding sagely. “My heart aches without her.”
“I think I’m going to puke,” Braden intoned as I shot him a slit-eyed glare.
“And how are you this morning, Braden? Did you and Mom have fun catching up? I’m glad to see she didn’t eat you.”
“Don’t make me beat you, Aisling,” Braden snapped. “You saw Mom last night. She was really trying.”
“Yes, she was delightful,” Dad said. “I especially enjoyed when she completely glossed over the fact that her henchman almost killed Aisling. I believe that was the evening’s highlight for me.”
“Really?” Jerry didn’t look convinced. “I thought the highlight for you would’ve been when she announced she wanted her family back and wanted to try your marriage again. I think that’s going to make dating Barbara difficult.”
“Jerry, eat your breakfast,” Dad ordered.
Jerry was unperturbed by Dad’s tone. “Breakfast isn’t ready yet.”
“Then drink your juice,” Dad barked.
“Oh, and here I thought the highlight of the evening was when Aisling announced she was going to live in sin with her cop,” Redmond offered.
“Who says ‘live in sin’ anymore?” I asked.
“I do,” Redmond replied.
“You have a different woman every week and you nail each and every one of them before begging off with some lame excuse and dumping them,” I pointed out. “I can’t believe you’re getting on Griffin’s case when he actually wants to make a commitment and move in with me.”
“Doesn’t that make you suspicious?” Redmond challenged. “You’re terrible to live with. I should know. I lived with you for twenty-two years. Why would he possibly want to live with you?”
I scowled. “Did you ever consider that he loves me?”
“Not really,” Braden answered for Redmond. “You’re too much work.”
I lowered my eyes to my empty plate. “I think we should go.”
“We’re not leaving,” Griffin argued. “They’re setting up your favorite omelet bar. You drank more than you ate last night, and it’s my fault because I didn’t watch you closely enough. You need breakfast.”
I pressed my lips together and remained silent.
“You know, I put up with a lot from this family because I find you guys funny in a really obnoxious way most of the time,” Griffin said. “I put up with the jokes and threats because I know you love Aisling. Well, here’s the thing: I love her, too.”
Braden and Redmond exchanged dubious eye rolls.
“You can do that as often as you want, but Aisling and I are moving in together,” Griffin continued. “Aidan and I worked overtime to give Aisling what she deserved. We needed privacy, but I knew she didn’t want to be away from Jerry. Do you have any idea how hard it was to swing the purchase of the townhouse next door?”
“It will be like Three’s Company,” Jerry said, clapping as if he’d just figured it out. “We’ll need to find a local club like the Regal Beagle for a hangout.”
“We’re on it,” Aidan said, patting Jerry’s forearm. “I don’t really want to get in a fight with everyone. It’s been a really long couple of days – heck, it’s been a really long couple of months – but Griffin doesn’t deserve this crap.”
I was surprised by Aidan’s fortitude.
“You guys know what it’s like living with Aisling, and Griffin is taking all of that on himself,” Aidan continued. “Braden is right. She’s a lot of work. Not only has Griffin agreed to take on the work, he actually wants to do it.”
Aidan’s façade about Griffin was beginning to slip.
“Griffin loves Aisling,” Aidan continued. “I thought it was a passing thing at first, too, but it’s not. You guys should show him some respect. He’s earned it. As much as we joke, I think we can all agree that we want Aisling to be happy. She won’t be happy without him, so you might want to find a way to support her instead of dumping all over her.”
Well, the love was back.
Griffin rubbed the nape of my neck as he regarded Aidan. “Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it,” Aidan mumbled as he stared at his plate. “You’ve been good to my sister. You’ve been good to me, too. We’re going to live next door to each other for the foreseeable future. I don’t know why everything always has to be so difficult in this family.”
“I think it’s Aisling,” Braden offered. “Everything was great until she showed up.”
I risked a glance at Dad to see whether he was still contemplating Griffin’s murder and how to hide the body. His face was difficult to read as he studied Griffin with thoughtful eyes. As if sensing my stare, he shifted his gaze to me and offered a wan smile.
“Aisling is an adult,” Dad said finally. “If she wants to move in with the handsy cop … well … that’s her business.”
It wasn’t exactly a ringing endorsement, but I would take it.
“We have bigger problems,” Dad continued. “I know some of you don’t want to see it – yes, Braden, I’m talking about you –
but your mother came here with an agenda last night. She’s trying to bewitch the siblings she believes she can woo to her side and distract the others with negativity.
“She has a grudge against Griffin because he protects Aisling. Aisling refuses to bow down and believe Lily simply because she’s her mother and has been resurrected,” he said. “Aisling can’t be bamboozled, so Lily is trying to drum up trouble in Aisling’s life. She fawned all over Braden because he welcomed her back.”
“That’s not true,” Braden protested. “I’m keeping an open mind.”
“No, you’re not,” Dad countered. “Braden, I know you want to believe your mother, but she’s up to something. What she did last night was … .”
“Rude?” I suggested.
“It was more than that,” Dad said. “She wants us in upheaval. I can’t help but think that’s because she’s planning something.”
“So you won’t even consider letting her back in our lives?” Braden asked, frustrated. “That’s not fair. She’s been through so much.”
“Braden, we have no idea what she’s truly been through because she won’t tell us,” I argued. “Did she tell you the extent of her relationship with Genevieve last night? Did she explain why her reaper jumped me? Did she tell you how many wraiths she has on her payroll? I’m guessing none of that came up. That’s a little convenient in my book.”
“You don’t know any of that is true,” Braden exploded. “I don’t see why we’re supposed to take Aisling’s word over Mom’s. Aisling isn’t known for being one of the great thinkers in our family. She could’ve been mistaken about the reaper who attacked her in the parking lot.”
“She wasn’t,” Dad said firmly. “Braden, you’re an adult and I can’t stop you from doing what you want to do, but I ask you to keep your wits about you where your mother is concerned.”
“I am.”
Dad sighed. “No, you’re not. That’s why I’m instituting house rule one hundred and twenty-eight, though, and it’s non-negotiable.”
Everyone groaned in unison as Griffin bit his lip to keep from chuckling.
“And what rule is that?” Cillian asked.
Grim Reunion (Aisling Grimlock Book 4) Page 13