The Bet (The Bet 1)

His head popped up.

“It was a drunken mistake. It never happened, okay?”

His nostrils flared as he cursed and looked at the ground. “Right, so what happened between you and Jake was another accident?”

“Again, none of your business. Just leave me alone, Travis. Go find someone else to torture, alright? I need to get my run in before I go to the stupid brunch.”

“If that’s what you want.” He looked back down at the ground then cursed, running a hand through his thick hair. “You’re going to get hurt, you know that, right?”

Kacey sighed. “I’ll get hurt either way, Travis. Just depends on which brother I decide to give that opportunity to, don’t you think?”

He was silent.

It was all the answer she needed.

Nodding her head, she turned in the opposite direction and began to run. Tears threatened to pour down her face. But over what? Over Travis? Over Jake? She didn’t even have feelings for Jake! He was a selfish bastard, but Travis? Travis could be real. Or could he? The trust wasn’t there, but it had seemed lately they had been two different people, and then…

…Then he said something that made her heart turn to ice. He knew about Jake and Kacey, about them going separate ways in college, of course, but the fact that he would throw that back in her face, as if she was some sort of whore and only afterthought material made her want to shoot him. How dare he say that? Even in anger, it wasn’t acceptable.

She wiped a stray tear and focused on the pavement. All she needed to do was get through today and tomorrow. And then she could go back to Seattle, back to her job at Starbucks and to finish school. She just needed to remember everything else she had waiting for her and forget Travis ever existed.

Five miles later, she returned to the house totally spent. Only to find Grandma Nadine strolling out the front door as if she was going on some hot date.

Was she really as ill as Jake said? She looked completely fine.

“Oh, doll! How are you this morning?” She winked. Oh gosh, she was referring to catching her and Travis last night.

“Um, Grandma, there’s something you need to know…”

“Oh posh, don’t you dare excuse your behavior, young lady. If anyone understands, it’s your dear old grandmother. Goodness, if I had your legs I’d be doing much worse. Now you just have your fun and be safe, dear.”

“But Travis and I aren’t, and Jake and I are, and…”

Grandma Nadine winked. “Our little secret, dear. I didn’t see anything. I know you love both those boys, in different ways of course. I think it’s about time you stop following in Jake’s shadow, and break out as your own woman and all that.”

Kacey swallowed the lump in her throat “We aren’t engaged.” She didn’t mean to blurt it out.

“Honey, I’m not stupid.” Grandma Nadine pulled her into a hug even though she was sweaty. “I’m also not sick,” she whispered. “Oh, I had one of those silly scares old people get when things stop working properly, but I’m right as rain.”

“But?” Kacey was torn between feeling happy and confused. “Why did you tell everyone that you were?”

Grandma Nadine’s eyes turned very serious. “Honey, it’s at the end of one’s life when a person realizes past mistakes made. One of my greatest mistakes was not forcing you to return home, to face your demons, to conquer your past.” Grandma lifted Kacey’s chin with her wrinkly hand. “Did Travis drive you by the restaurant?”

Kacey wanted to pull away, but instead she bit down hard on her lip to keep from crying. “No, no he didn’t. I don’t think I can see that place now, Grandma. Not after all those memories. And then when they died, I just wanted to sell the place, to leave everything.”

Grandma sighed. “I understand, honey, but don’t you think it’s time to return?”

“Return?”

Grandma pulled her into a tight hug. “Home, honey-girl. Time to return to where you belong.”

Kacey hugged Grandma as tightly as she could, allowing herself to relax as the smell of Grandma’s French perfume washed over her.

“I know my bastard-of-a-grandson ruined things. I may have threatened him to get you down here, but don’t for a second think that this little visit has anything to do with him. This visit — it’s for you.”

“I don’t understand.” Kacey looked down at her hands, everything seemed so confusing all of a sudden.

“You will.” Grandma Nadine pinched her cheek. “My dear, very soon you will understand why it’s important. Why all of this…” She pulled away and lifted her hands into the air. “…is important. This is life, and honey, you need to start living.”