Read Online Out of Focus (Chosen Paths #2) by L. B. Simmons - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: L. B. Simmons
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think it’s okay to show up now? What does he want with Spencer?
My mind circles back to what I learned after he left.
After Rat’s death, did Dalton make his declaration of allegiance? And if that was the case, his loyalty did not fall with Silas Kincaid. Maybe Dalton understood the ramifications of his decision, knowing Silas would come after him, and left in order to do the only thing he’s ever wanted. To protect Spencer.
So the question still remains, why did he come back?
Spencer’s stare connects with mine, and I lift my brows in question. She shrugs her shoulders in silent response, then focuses her attention once again on Liam . . . Dalton. Just as when we were kids, she remains impervious to the power of his presence. She simply narrows her eyes, but then turns back to him and asks/implies, “We can take my car?”
As I watch their interaction, I find myself fighting the most inopportune smile. The whole scene playing out in front of me between them might as well be happening back in high school. And from what I remember, all fingers point to the fact that Dalton Greer is about to get his ass chewed.
Dalton says nothing, but dips his chin. Accepting of his answer, Spencer then turns her sights to Grady and points. “I’m going to get your license plate number, just in case. Cassie better make it home safely because I know people.” And by people, I know she means Detective Lawson, who has become a very important fixture in both her and her mother’s lives.
Grady squashes his laughter, then responds, “She’ll be home by eleven. Scout’s honor.” Then he dares to present her three extended fingers, sealing his promise.
I release a heavy breath in refusal because who the hell, at the age of twenty-three, is home at fucking eleven o’clock? I sure as hell don’t plan on that happening, based on premise alone. Grady looks to me and winks, and for the first time since meeting Grady Bennett, I smile back at him. A full-fledged, real smile.
I could blame it on being mentally weakened and worn from my non-stop musing about Dalton’s reappearance. But I don’t. Honestly, I grin because I happen to find Grady Bennett extremely funny.
My eyes remain on him, and his on mine, while there’s further interaction between the still-feuding couple across from us. I hear nothing but the beat of my own heart as he mouths, beautiful . Masterfully, he disconnects our stare, then redirects his gaze to the couple now seemingly at a standoff, never missing a beat as he offers to Dalton, “Looks like you’re going to have a fun evening.”
At that, I laugh. I try to cover it, but unfortunately, it does not go unnoticed. Spencer glares at me before returning her eyes to Dalton. In turn, he reaches for his wallet, throws a couple hundred-dollar bills on the table, and proclaims, “Dinner’s on me.”
Grady’s brows skyrocket as he takes in the money, then he grins and garners the attention of our waitress as he announces proudly, “Well then, I’m changing my order.”
I can’t help it. I laugh again, and Spencer’s glare is removed from Dalton and redirected at Grady. “Then cancel ours.”
Grady is still smiling, but he respectfully dips his head in concession. “You got it.”
Dalton gives Grady a look of warning, but eventually relents and hooks his fingers around Spencer’s arm, leading her away from us and out of the restaurant. Once they’re out of sight, Grady gestures toward my now dry, empty chair and I oblige. I slide into the offered seat just as the waitress approaches. Grady turns in his chair, says something that makes her giggle, and I’m mid eye-roll by the time he twists back to face me. His smile widens as my eyes settle back into my head.
He says nothing, but allows me the time I need to digest this evening’s whirlwind of events.
Grady Bennett knows not just Liam, but Dalton , which means he knows about his past.
If Grady knows about Dalton’s past, it would suggest that
My mind circles back to what I learned after he left.
After Rat’s death, did Dalton make his declaration of allegiance? And if that was the case, his loyalty did not fall with Silas Kincaid. Maybe Dalton understood the ramifications of his decision, knowing Silas would come after him, and left in order to do the only thing he’s ever wanted. To protect Spencer.
So the question still remains, why did he come back?
Spencer’s stare connects with mine, and I lift my brows in question. She shrugs her shoulders in silent response, then focuses her attention once again on Liam . . . Dalton. Just as when we were kids, she remains impervious to the power of his presence. She simply narrows her eyes, but then turns back to him and asks/implies, “We can take my car?”
As I watch their interaction, I find myself fighting the most inopportune smile. The whole scene playing out in front of me between them might as well be happening back in high school. And from what I remember, all fingers point to the fact that Dalton Greer is about to get his ass chewed.
Dalton says nothing, but dips his chin. Accepting of his answer, Spencer then turns her sights to Grady and points. “I’m going to get your license plate number, just in case. Cassie better make it home safely because I know people.” And by people, I know she means Detective Lawson, who has become a very important fixture in both her and her mother’s lives.
Grady squashes his laughter, then responds, “She’ll be home by eleven. Scout’s honor.” Then he dares to present her three extended fingers, sealing his promise.
I release a heavy breath in refusal because who the hell, at the age of twenty-three, is home at fucking eleven o’clock? I sure as hell don’t plan on that happening, based on premise alone. Grady looks to me and winks, and for the first time since meeting Grady Bennett, I smile back at him. A full-fledged, real smile.
I could blame it on being mentally weakened and worn from my non-stop musing about Dalton’s reappearance. But I don’t. Honestly, I grin because I happen to find Grady Bennett extremely funny.
My eyes remain on him, and his on mine, while there’s further interaction between the still-feuding couple across from us. I hear nothing but the beat of my own heart as he mouths, beautiful . Masterfully, he disconnects our stare, then redirects his gaze to the couple now seemingly at a standoff, never missing a beat as he offers to Dalton, “Looks like you’re going to have a fun evening.”
At that, I laugh. I try to cover it, but unfortunately, it does not go unnoticed. Spencer glares at me before returning her eyes to Dalton. In turn, he reaches for his wallet, throws a couple hundred-dollar bills on the table, and proclaims, “Dinner’s on me.”
Grady’s brows skyrocket as he takes in the money, then he grins and garners the attention of our waitress as he announces proudly, “Well then, I’m changing my order.”
I can’t help it. I laugh again, and Spencer’s glare is removed from Dalton and redirected at Grady. “Then cancel ours.”
Grady is still smiling, but he respectfully dips his head in concession. “You got it.”
Dalton gives Grady a look of warning, but eventually relents and hooks his fingers around Spencer’s arm, leading her away from us and out of the restaurant. Once they’re out of sight, Grady gestures toward my now dry, empty chair and I oblige. I slide into the offered seat just as the waitress approaches. Grady turns in his chair, says something that makes her giggle, and I’m mid eye-roll by the time he twists back to face me. His smile widens as my eyes settle back into my head.
He says nothing, but allows me the time I need to digest this evening’s whirlwind of events.
Grady Bennett knows not just Liam, but Dalton , which means he knows about his past.
If Grady knows about Dalton’s past, it would suggest that
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