Grace (The Family Simon #5)- Juliana Stone Page 0,8
least another week. Not sure why, but it had to have been important to keep him away.”
“I know the fundraiser means a lot to the girls.” Duke had a soft spot for the Barker triplets, not surprising, most in town did. The big guy tugged on the edge of his mustache. “How’s Trent doing by the way?”
Matt sighed. “Not good.”
Betty Jo Barker meant the world to Matt. She’d been there for him when no one else had—when everyone in New Waterford had written him off. She’d been there and seen him at his worst, and Matt knew that if not for Betty Jo Barker he’d be six feet under with no one to leave flowers at his grave.
He’d do anything for her, and it killed him to know there was nothing he could do for her father. The man had been battling Alzheimer’s for years now and his immediate future looked grim.
Why was it always the good guys?
Duke shook his head. “Damn shame that is.” He tossed his towel and grabbed another mug. Placing it under the spout, he began to pour a draft. “I think that’s Josh Hayden over there.”
Matt grunted but didn’t turn around to look. He didn’t give a crap. Seemed like these days he didn’t give a crap about anything. He eyed the half empty mug of beer in front of him and sighed. Even the beer tasted like crap.
“That there the Simon girl with him?”
Matt’s head shot up so fast he saw stars, and blinking he turned around. Grace Simon? He squinted and…there she was. Sitting in a booth with…yep that was definitely Hayden, a guy with a reputation for partying, trouble, and women.
What the hell? Why hadn’t Betty told him?
Scowling, Matt snapped up his mug of beer and turned back to the bar.
“Something up?” Duke asked.
“Nope.”
“Could have fooled me.”
“Mind your own business, Everett.”
Duke’s face darkened and he leaned in close. “This bar is my business, and that there look on your face is one I’ve seen before. Usually before the shit starts to hit the fan. So I’m warning you, Hawkins. Keep things even keel or you’re out of here.”
The woman he’d come in with, Sasha, sidled up to the bar and plopped her butt on the stool beside him. She was nice enough but already Matt regretted bringing her back here. If he was on his game, he would have taken her number and left it at that. She was just another complication he could do without.
His cell phone pinged and he grabbed it out of his pocket. Betty.
“I gotta take this,” he said to Sasha, moving toward the kitchen area where the music wasn’t so loud.
“Where are you?” Betty sounded out of breath, more than a little stressed, and he was guessing her crying toddler had something to do with it.
“At the Grill. What’s up with Fitz?” Betty and Beau’s son was named after her father Trent, but from early on he’d been called Fitz. No one remembered who started it, but the name had stuck.
“Oh my God, Matt. Fitz is pissed—“
“Shouldn’t swear in front of the kid.”
“Shit. I know.” A pause. “Dammit.”
That earned a smile and Matt rolled his shoulders, angling his head so that he could see the booth where Grace sat with Hayden. A fresh round of beers had just been delivered and the guy was all up in her business. Matt sure as hell didn’t like it, but then, it’s not as if he had a say.
“Fitz is cranky. He missed his nap and now he wants his dad and well, Beau is in another city and I’m just…” Her voice wavered a bit. Betty wanted everyone to think of her as tough-as-nails, but he knew better.
“Hey,” Matt said, lowering his voice. “I’m here, okay? We’ll get through the weekend.”
“I know.” There was a pause and a soft sigh. “I just needed to hear your voice I guess.”
“What time’s your flight?”
“We’ll be there by noon. Flying into the private airport just south of town.”
“You need me to get you?”
“No. It’s fine. I’ve got security.” He could almost picture her eye roll. “Beau insisted and I get it, but still, this is my hometown. I feel a little ridiculous.”
“He’s concerned about Fitz’s safety. I’d feel the same.”
“I guess. Anyway, I’m heading to Bobbi’s and the three of us are going to see Dad before heading to the arena. Not that he’ll know who we are, but…”
“Good.” He was listening, but his eyes were still on Grace. He watched her