At First Hate (Coastal Chronicles)

“Fine. If Duke wins, then I won’t get back at you for what happened with Olivia,” he told me and held out his hand.

“Fine.” Then, I put my hand in his and shook. “Good luck next week, Derek. You’re going to need it.”

11

Savannah

Present

The doorbell rang at Gran’s. Maddox had a key, and there was no one else I wanted to see. We were thankfully past the point of strangers showing up, claiming to be friends with Gran and handing me dinner or dessert. They all wanted to talk about how much they loved her. I didn’t have the bandwidth for one more sorry for your loss.

I peered through the peephole and gasped, wrenching the door open. “Lila, what are you doing here?”

My best friend rushed inside and wrapped her arms tight around me. “Surprise!”

“I mean, I love the surprise, but it’s football season.”

Lila worked as a physical therapist and trainer for the Falcons. Every fall was a complete shitshow. I usually saw her on her bye week and then not again until Christmas or even after New Year’s. The fact that she was here on my front step in the middle of September was baffling.

“Maddox called,” she offered sheepishly.

“What? Why?”

“He said that you’re a wreck and need some girl time. I took two days off to come down. I have to be back for the game this weekend, but I wanted to be here for you. I love you.”

“I’m glad you’re here, but I’m fine.”

“Uh-huh,” Lila said. “He said you’ve seen Derek.”

I wrinkled my nose. “That little snitch.”

“Hey, I’m not opposed, but I know how he hurt you in the past.”

“Plus, he’s Ash’s best friend?”

She grimaced and fiddled with her nails. “How’s he doing?”

“How would you be doing?”

She bit her lip and nodded. “Right. Well, my fault. I guess I don’t have a right to wonder how he’s doing.”

“You loved him forever. It’s not surprising, Lila.”

“Anyway,” she said with a sigh, “I’m not here about me or Ash. I’m here for you.”

“How’s Cole doing with you down here alone?”

“He’s fine,” she said with a wave of her hand. “We’re happy. But you’re not. Now, get in my car. We’re going to get Leopold’s.”

I could never say no to Leopold’s. So, I grabbed my purse and followed her outside. We drove downtown, getting a coveted parking spot on Broughton, directly across from the ice cream parlor. Unsurprisingly, there was already a huge line, even in the middle of the week during school. It was outrageous but worth it. We chatted about unimportant things, like how Miss Alicia was finally talking about retiring. She’d had the studio since she was in her twenties, and we were all surprised she still ran it, let alone still teaching.

When I had my mint chocolate chip cone and Lila had one with strawberry and cookie dough, we headed up Abercorn toward Reynolds Square. We stood in front of Pink House and licked the ice cream in the shade.

“You know I’ve never eaten there,” I said.

Lila laughed. “How have you never been to Pink House? It’s iconic.”

“I never moved back like you did. It just never happened. I feel like it’s too hyped for me now.”

“You would think that. It’s delicious. Maybe Derek can take you,” she said with a wink.

I snorted. “Don’t even, Delilah Grace.”

“How are you really doing with everything? Gran?”

“I don’t know.” I sighed heavily. “Sad. I miss her. She was my go-to person. I have you and Josie—when she’s not busy—but it’s not the same. I used to call her and tell her everything that happened to me. She’d always have the best, most unorthodox advice. You know, she once told me that the most important lesson to learn was to get back at someone who thought they could take advantage of you.”

Lila burst into laughter. “Oh, Gran. That sounds just like her. I miss her laugh. She had that big, hearty laugh when she found something really funny.”

“Me too. Or all the silly nicknames she gave us.”

“Chickadee,” Lila said. “That was my favorite.”

“Yes.”

“She was a great woman with a long, beautiful life.”

“She left a lasting impression.”

Lila arched an eyebrow. “When were you going to tell me about the will?”

I groaned. “Did Maddox tell you?”

“That your mom and aunt are contesting it? Yes. How horrible!”

“Yeah, it’s bullshit. I spoke with an attorney and the executor of the will. We have to get evidence to disprove whatever BS my mom comes up with for her reasoning. Then, go to court and wish for the best.”

“And Derek is their attorney?”

I nodded. “His dad made him do it.”

“Huh.”

“He’s going for partner, I guess.”

“Does his dad know that you two…”

“He met me once, but it was in college. I don’t know how much he remembers. You didn’t even know.”

She narrowed her eyes at me. “You’ll never live that down either.”