Ten minutes later, we pulled up in front of The Blooming. Duke pulled into the driveway, parked, then walked around to open my door. The moment I stepped out, he placed two fingers beneath my chin and tipped my head back.
He kissed me like I was the finest set of china, then pulled back with a smile.
"Have a good time and tell them I said what's up," he said, then gestured toward the window.
I turned to look and Jessa tried to quickly close the curtain. Duke and I laughed before he kissed me once more. I moved away from the car to stand on the porch as he walked back around to the driver's side.
"I'll be back to grab you later, Sweets," he called as I waved.
I watched my tail lights until he turned the corner, then released a sigh as I turned to walk up the rest of the steps. I hadn't even touched the doorknob before Jessa pulled it open and crossed her arms against her chest.
"You're so gone, and now we see why you were late."
I waved her off and stepped around her with a laugh.
"He's actually not the reason. But it's definitely a long story that we're going to need a drink to hear."
Miss Lottie walked in with a wide smile and her arms open. I walked into them and wrapped my arms around her. Her hugs always felt like love. She rubbed my back, then led me into thekitchen with Aubree and Jessa following close behind, ready to hear everything.
I went through the story of what happened with my social media and the stalker narrowing in on my location, then how Duke was going to teach me how to protect myself. Everyone stayed quiet and offered advice when I was done. But I was glad we didn't stay on it too long.
I needed a moment away from it to have a good time, and they gave me exactly that.
Solanaand I decided to go to the gun range during her lunch hour. When she brought it up to me, I wasn't a fan of it at first. But at the same time, I wanted her to know how to defend herself even when I wasn't around. She was right. I'm not always going to be there. Granted, I would do everything in my power to be there for her.
But I also wasn't crazy enough to believe everything couldn't change within a second. I couldn't chain her to my side to keep her safe at all times. The knowledge of her stalker situation had hiked up the natural protector in me.
I'd had a couple of the Thorns watching over her shop. I needed to slide by my grandparents' place since Solana and I had made things official. I found myself underneath her any moment I could get.
I pulled into the driveway and parked beside their truck, then walked over to the side door and knocked a few times beforeletting myself in. The moment I walked in, Heiress was laid out on the couch, her mouth hanging open with a trash can next to her. The smell of vomit wafted through the living room, letting me know she was drunk as fuck before she ended up there.
I turned to see my grandma coming out of the kitchen with a mug of coffee. She stopped and glanced in my direction with a big smile before taking a sip.
"Well, look who finally decided to pay his grandparents a visit. I was starting to think you were avoiding this house because of your momma."
I smiled and walked over to kiss my grandma's cheek.
"I wouldn't be wrong. It's clear nothing will ever change with your daughter. But I've been busy lately and time got away from me."
"Mm-hmm, I heard. You know Maybeliene couldn't wait to tell me how fresh you were being in that bakery with that woman. Now tell me about her."
I shook my head because I knew she was going to find out sooner or later. Solana wasn't a secret to me, so I didn't mind. I turned just as Heiress leaned over the side of the couch and emptied whatever was left in her stomach. I brought my hand up to cover my nose.
"Winnie, can you come down here with your daughter? I don't want her to choke on her throw up." My grandma shouted up the steps, then sat beside Heiress and lifted her hair as she continued to go to town.
"Aye, Grams. I don't have much time. It's almost my girl's lunch break and we have plans. I was coming by to see y'all and let you know I'd be bringing Solana by to meet you. Can you do me a favor and make sure your daughter has somewhere to be that day?" I asked.
Before my grandma could respond, my grandad did.
"Boy, that's your mother and this is her home. If you want to bring that girl by, she might as well meet the woman who gave you life. Don't be disrespectful."
I nodded and turned to head for the door, then stopped to look back at my grandparents as they babied Heiress. If they kept this up, this was exactly how she would die. From a bottle or some other habit she chose to pick up in her need to live life wild and carefree.
"I have the right to choose what I subject my girl to, and this ain't it. I hope y'all know neither of you are helping Heiress by coddling her. I understand she is your only child, but she has her own child and doesn't know a damn thing about him."
My grandad turned to face me with a scowl and held up his finger. "I'm not going to tell you again. Watch your tongue in my house."
I nodded. "Heard. Don't expect me to help you bury her when the time comes. If you keep this up, it will surely be you doing it and not the other way around. Y'all have a good day."