Only Her Best Friend - Cami Checketts Page 0,42

as Meredith and not declaring his undying love.

“Hey, you!” Grams’ face was suddenly poked against the screen of an open window. “Come out here and chat with your old Grams. It’s a beautiful day.”

Cruz chuckled. “Hi, Grams.” He hurried out a side door to where she stood on the wraparound porch that overlooked the lake on this side of the house. She had a wide grin and open arms for him. He held her close for a while, surprised at how small and fragile she seemed. Grams had been his rock. Her house was his escape from his mom. He’d never told anyone about how his mom’s belittlement had crippled him emotionally, but Grams and his dad seemed to know, and Cat could relate.

“Sit on down and chat with me.” She gestured to some plush patio chairs.

Cruz sat and leaned back, his eyes swinging to the glorious view of the lake, forest, and mountains beyond. “I love this view.”

“Me too, my boy, me too. Now tell me all about you.”

Cruz may have been a show-off as far as stunts and tricks went, but he really didn’t like talking about himself. “Not much new to tell, Grams. Work’s going great. I’m my own brand name, and I have a great crew. I’m socking away a lot of money, so when my body gives out, I can do something different with my time.”

She looked him over and pumped her eyebrows. “I don’t think the body is giving out anytime soon. I’m right proud of you, but work isn’t what I want you to share.”

What did she know? Her and Cat were close. Too close. Maybe she’d told Grams about him and Meredith. His chest warmed as he thought of his dark-eyed beauty. “Iris still living here?” he asked instead.

“Don’t give me any deflection. Yes, she is. Expecting Devon will propose sometime soon. They’re in la-la love land just like our Cat and that handsome Stetson right now. What I want to know is when you’re going to fall into la-la love land with our gorgeous Meredith?”

Cruz met her gaze. He wasn’t surprised that she knew. Her blue eyes were clear and perceptive. He stood and paced to the railing where he gazed out at the lake. Grams just waited.

He turned around and leaned against the railing, forcing himself to be strong and meet her eyes. “Here’s the thing, Grams. I’ve loved Meredith for a lot of years.”

“I know.”

He let out a gurgle of a laugh, shook his head, and pushed at his hair.

“When you getting that hair cut?”

He laughed more genuinely. “Lay off the hair, Grams.”

“I will if you tell me what’s holding you back from that sweetheart Meredith.”

He’d trapped himself that easily. He hated Grams nagging about his longish hair, but it was easier to take than admitting the truth. Stalking back to the chair, he sank down, clasped his hands, and stared at them. “I love her but … you’re going to hate this, so please don’t explode.”

“I’m not some drama-mama. That’s your mom’s role. Tell me what’s going on.”

He flinched at the mention of his mom, but he plunged on. Grams wouldn’t let him off the hook, and he needed to get this out. “Meredith’s incredible, and … I’m not good enough for her.”

Grams exploded. She half-lifted out of her chair and cussed him. “Of all the stupid, lame, inexcusable things to say. You not worthy of somebody? You’re the cream of the crop, the stud of studs, the coolest, most handsome, most amazing guy I know.”

“You’d say that to any of your grandsons,” he fired back.

“True, because it’s true of each of you. What would you say to Aster, Cedar, Quill, or Ren if they came to you with some baloney of not being worthy of a woman?”

“If it was Meredith, I’d say they were right.” The thought of any man, even his favorite cousins, with Meredith made his insides roll.

Grams settled down then and gave him a grin. “You adore her.”

“Yes.”

“What’s going on? Really? Does this all stem from your worthless, selfish, excuse for a mother?”

Cruz shouldn’t have been surprised that Grams got there quick. He was back to studying his hands and then the lake. Grams let him stew. She didn’t say a word as he forced himself to stay seated.

“Yes,” he finally admitted.

“You can’t get her snarky voice out of your head?” she guessed.

Grams knew him so well. “Most of the time I can, but when it comes to something like this, something as important