Graduation and Gifts (Untouchable Book 8) by Heather Long (best books to read for beginners TXT) 📕

"Then stay," I gave him permission. "But you're not the guy who runs from his issues and you and your father are at least talking again." At his surprised look, I smirked. "What? You think you're the only one who listens when you wax on about the psychology you're always reading about?"

"So, if you're listening, does that mean you're taking your own advice?"

As much as I wanted to resent the question, I couldn't. Our fathers had one thing in common that I would prefer to have never known about. They'd both had affairs with Maddy Curtis. Maybe Coop's dad was a passing fancy and mine...? I glanced over at Edward. He and Muriel were actually speaking together in quiet tones where they sat together on a bench in the shade.

Mine had been on the hook, quite literally, for years.

Didn't make it any better.

Then again, he told her off today. But how long would that last before she crooked her finger and he went running back?

How much did I actually care?

Except...

"Arch," Coop said. "Talk to them. You have nothing to lose. You've already written them off. They owe you a lot. So, if they plan to make a payment, no matter how paltry the installment, listening is free."

"Can you forgive him?" The question came out of nowhere, for me at least, but if it threw Coop, he didn't show it. "After everything that happened? He's trying to make amends. Can you forgive him?"

"Forgiveness isn't for them," Coop said. "It's for you. I'll forgive him eventually when I'm not living on the anger. And I'm not—not as much as I was. I hate that he hurt Mom. I don't think that part will ever go away, but I also…I kind of feel sorry for him."

"Because he got used." I didn't have to wonder at that.

"Yeah, and not only did he get used, he lost a lot too. I don't think he realized how much he lost at first either."

I glanced at Edward. "He never really valued his relationship with Muriel." Or me, but I didn't want to say that aloud. I wasn't that kid anymore, trying to find something, anything that would make his father happy. "If I ever have a kid..."

"Same," Coop told me and gripped my shoulder. He had no idea what I was about to say, but there wasn't an ounce of hesitation or doubt in his voice. "I'm gonna tell Frankie I'm going to eat with them. I'll catch you guys back at the apartment. Text me if plans change?"

"Done." Before he'd gone two steps, I said, "Coop?"

"Yeah?" He squinted as he glanced back at me.

"If you figure out how to not live on the anger at him, show me?"

"Man, if I could, I would. But then...you can fix anything. Think about how you'd fix this for Frankie." With that, he winked and strode away. I shook my head. If Hank did to her what Maddy had done, I might fix it with a shovel. I wanted to know how the hell Maddy had even gotten a ticket to sit in that section.

As it was, I still hadn't figured out exactly what we were going to do with her. I wasn't the only one worried about how much more dangerous she might get. Maybe we'd move our plans up to head on our summer vacation sooner, then just make the move to New York. The guys didn't need Frankie here to come back and see their families.

The more distance I put between Maddy and Frankie, the better.

Frankie caught my gaze as she gave Coop a hug. A tiny frown tightened her brow, but I shook my head at the question in her eyes. I didn't need her to come rescue me. As it was, I glanced over to Edward and Muriel again. Time to take care of this.

Hands still in my pockets, I crossed to where they continued to speak. At my approach, Edward rose and Muriel even attempted a smile. I didn't reciprocate. Neither said anything as we all stared at each other in silence. After a few more seconds of that, I raised my brows.

"You were the one who wanted to talk," I reminded him.

Muriel let out a sigh, then to my surprise she put a hand on my arm and brushed a kiss to the air next to my cheek. "I'll leave you both to it. I don't suppose you will take me up on the offer, but you are welcome to stay at my place when you're in New York."

"You're right—I won't take you up on it." I was never living with either of them again. Besides, I'd already made arrangements. "Are you flying back today?"

"Tomorrow. Your grandfather invited me to dinner," she said, then glanced at Edward. "Unless either of you want to make me a counter offer?"

"Pass," I stated. Unsurprisingly, Edward snorted.

"Muriel, he's eating with the Graysons."

"Of course he is," she said with a purely satisfied smile. "They will likely be discussing just how horrid their bitch of a daughter is. I will enjoy that."

I didn't roll my eyes and Edward didn't rise to the bait.

Look at that, maybe we were growing emotionally.

Or maybe we were just that bored with the same old games. I didn't doubt Grandpa invited her to dinner. He'd very specifically invited Frankie and I to breakfast, so he'd make sure the field was clear for us.

With a little bit of a huff, she paced away from us with a click of her heels. A dark car pulled up to the curb and just before the driver jumped out to open the back door, Edward said, "A hundred says her latest conquest is waiting for her inside."

Ugh.

I caught sight of a pant leg as the door opened and turned away to face Edward instead. "Pass."

He gave me a faint smile and nodded. "Good plan." Even his sunglasses couldn't disguise the way he glanced to where Frankie and the others still gathered. Sara