I didn’t tell him he didn’t have to; I just nodded and closed the door behind me. I still needed to pack and brush my teeth and hair. I dialed Dad’s number on my way back to my room and it rang three times then went to voicemail.
•
Once I had my overnight bag packed I headed down the hall and for the stairs. I needed some coffee and I knew Mase would, too. Waking Nan up to tell her was pointless. She would be mad that I’d disturbed her. Might as well not even tell her we were leaving. She probably wouldn’t notice.
Just as I put the coffee into the filter there was a light knock on the front door. What the heck? I glanced at the time and it was only three-forty-five. Who would be here this early?
I closed the lid to the coffeepot and pressed brew before going to the front door. It was too dark to see outside. I turned on the outdoor lights and saw Grant standing outside with a thermos in one hand, looking wide awake.
Opening the door, I stared at him, completely confused, but I couldn’t just leave him out there.
Grant grinned at me. “You ready?”
What? Was I dreaming? Was Daddy really not missing? Had this been some elaborate dream where I ended up in bed with Grant again? I had those often enough.
“Dean called Rush who called me. Can I come in?” he said, stepping by me and into the house.
“What?” I finally managed to ask.
Grant held up his thermos of coffee. “I’m ready to go find Kiro. I’ll even drive us to the airport.”
Mase’s heavy footsteps broke into my thoughts and I turned to see him walking toward us. “Is this a damn search party?” Mase grumbled, dropping his bag at his feet and looking from me to Grant.
“Looks that way,” Grant said.
“I, uh . . .” was all I could think of to say. I still hadn’t figured this out.
“Go get you some of that coffee I smell, Sis; you need it to make coherent sentences. I’ll deal with this,” Mase said.
I didn’t want to leave Grant alone with him but, honestly, I didn’t know what else to do.
So I went to get the coffee.
Grant
“Explain this,” Mase said, standing with his feet apart and his arms crossed over his chest. He was Harlow’s older brother and possibly the only person who had ever stepped into the father figure role in her life. I respected that.
“I want to go with her. I have a lot of shit to make up for. I’m starting now.”
Mase frowned and continued to stare at me. “What the hell does that mean? Last I heard you were f**king Nan. What do you have to do with Harlow?”
She hadn’t told him anything. I wondered if she had done that to protect me. “I was scared of having feelings for someone. Harlow stirred things in me I wasn’t familiar with and it made me run. I’ve decided I don’t want to run.”
Mase took a step toward me. “You need to be real damn sure of that. ’Cause she likes you more than she wants to and I don’t trust you. Not at all. If you want to go help find our sorry-ass father then fine, but I’m going, too.”
I preferred to have her alone but this was okay. At least I was near her. I was tired of not being near her and watching her from afar.
“Understood,” I replied.
Harlow walked back into the foyer carrying two mugs of coffee. “Here,” she said, handing one to Mase.
“Thanks. He’s going with us. He likes looking at you or some sappy shit like that.”
Harlow’s eyes went wide and I bit back a smile. That wasn’t exactly what I’d said but the look on Harlow’s face was perfect.
“Oh” was all she said.
Mase picked up his bag and then looked at Harlow. “Where’s your bag?”