“No one is saying you have to give that up, B. You can still be Brooklyn Hewett Designs; you’ll just have a home base. Maybe you don’t travel as much, or maybe you live with Carly, and she takes care of Brystol while you work.”
Rennie was sounding more and more like Carly every day, and Brooklyn hated it because they were right. Roots were the foundation for growth, and Brystol needed some.
“I think we should go outside.”
“I’m embarrassed,” Brooklyn told her friend.
“In all the years I’ve known you, I’ve never known you to be embarrassed. Play it off, call it a teenage temper tantrum, spurred by Grady. Ha ha, he’s so funny. Don’t let his drunk ass ruin things for you.”
Brooklyn knew Rennie was right, even if she hadn’t wanted to admit it. In hindsight, Brooklyn should’ve given Grady a dose of his own medicine. Not that it would’ve done anyone any good.
Rennie pulled Brooklyn out of the house, down the wooden steps, and back into the fold. Graham was there first, hugging Brooklyn and telling her how sorry he was for Grady’s outburst. She thanked him, spoke to a few of the people who had showed, and finally made her way over to where Brystol sat with Luke. She knew the town was about to light off fireworks and would rather be with her daughter, honoring her father, than with her friends remembering the man she had lost.
“Get him the hell out of here,” Bowie yelled at Graham, who was desperately trying to push his drunken brother toward the stairs. Bowie turned, almost in circles, looking for Brystol. As much as he wanted to run to Brooklyn and apologize, his concern for Brystol was greater. He found her, standing on the outside of the group with Luke by her side. He was incredibly thankful for his dog and his affection for Brystol. He went to her, expecting to ask if she was okay, but she fell into his arms and buried her face in his chest. Bowie held her and placed a kiss on the top of her head, hoping to provide a bit of comfort until her mother came back.
“I’m sorry you had to see that,” he said to her.
Brystol stepped back. “Who was that?”
He sighed. How could he explain Grady to her? Sure, he was still Bowie’s friend, but not like they had been when they were growing up. Since Austin’s accident, they had drifted apart, mostly due to what Grady had witnessed. The Chamberlains should’ve sought help for Grady after the disaster, but like most, had felt their son was okay. That couldn’t have been further from the truth.
“Grady . . .” He paused and thought about how he wanted to approach the conversation. He looked at Brystol and saw her mom in every aspect of her features. He remembered Brooklyn, young and full of wonderment when she had first moved to Cape Harbor, and he saw the same in Brystol now and felt like she would understand what he was about to say. “Grady was with your dad when the accident happened, and he just hasn’t recovered very well. He struggles with his demons sometimes.”
“Why’s he so angry with my mom?”
He shrugged because he was confused as well. “I’m not sure. His outburst caught me off guard. I’ve never seen him act like that. I think—”
“He has a drinking problem.” Brystol threw the issue right in Bowie’s face, leaving him no choice but to nod. “It’s okay. My grandpa says that sometimes people can’t help themselves.”
“He’s right.”
“Maybe your friend will get the help he needs before it’s too late.”
Maybe. Maybe if everyone around town stopped enabling him. “I think he would probably appreciate it. Come on—let’s go check on your grandma.”
They made their way over to where Carly sat, along with Jason. The two were chatting away as if nothing was amiss. Brystol sat next to her grandmother, who pulled her into an embrace.
“My sweet B,” Bowie heard the older woman say. Even though Brooklyn had left Cape Harbor, he was thankful she’d had the presence of mind to make sure Carly was a part of Brystol’s life. He could see the love and admiration they had for each other. Brystol kissed her grandmother on the cheek, then called for Luke and separated herself from the group. He kept an eye on her, waiting to see where she was going and whether he should follow her. She took a spot on the sand, far enough away that she wouldn’t have to listen to the adults talk. He wished she had a friend here to keep her company and mentally went through his employees, trying to remember who had children her age.
When Brooklyn and Rennie came down the wooden stairs to rejoin the group, Rennie came toward where he sat while he watched Brooklyn. She went right toward Brystol and sat beside her in the sand.