Free Stepping Over the Line: A Stepbrother Novel (Shamed) by Laura Marie Altom Page B

had never hated myself more. I selfishly wanted Garrett to return to California more for my own mental well-being than out of concern for him. If he stayed in town, how long would it be before I slipped and did something stupid like throwing myself at him all over again? Yes, I still loved him, but that love didn’t give me the right to further disrupt our family. Maybe even more importantly, if Chad’s family learned Garrett and I had been together, how might they react? “How can I help with your surprise? Should I write a recommendation letter to whichever committee’s in charge of Garrett’s case?”
    “You’re a doll for asking, but I’ve got this under control. That said, the next time you visit Chad’s family with Cook, you might put in a good word. Chad’s father has a lot of friends in high places. I understand they’ve been through an unspeakable tragedy. But you need to make them understand that they’ve punished Garrett enough for what they have to know in their hearts was an accident.”
    “Yes. I’ll broach the topic with Suzette.” I made obligatory small talk with my father, then hung up, feeling more despondent than ever. If the Ridgemonts had anything to do with restoring Garrett’s license, it would never happen.
    For his sake, for mine, I needed Garrett gone. But how could I make his leaving a reality?
    —
    As if my proverbial plate wasn’t already loaded, two days later was Suzette’s birthday.
    I’d forgotten she was coming to town, and her gift was to share lunch with Cook at his school. I’d promised to join her, and was already five minutes late when I parked beneath a magnolia that was taller than my house. The school encouraged family visits, and even had an appointed cafeteria table that was used for special occasions.
    “Mom!” Cook leapt from his chair to crush me in a hug. “It’s Grandma Suzette’s birthday, and Uncle Canton even came to see me!”
    Chad’s brother smiled and waved. “Nice to see you.”
    “Likewise,” I said while giving his mother a hug from behind. “Sorry I’m late. My appointments were overbooked.” In my head, I crossed my fingers against the lie, but the last thing they needed to know was how much I hadn’t wanted to see either of them. Especially, Canton. Ever since his speech in the hospital, he’d given me the creeps. Still, as Cook’s uncle, he had a right to see his nephew, which was why he and Suzette both had privileges to pick up my boy from school. Cook adored them, so I made lemonade from the acid their smothering produced in my stomach. “Happy birthday, Suzette.”
    “Thank you, dear.” She accepted the small, gift-wrapped box I held out. “It was sweet of you to come.”
    “Grandma, guess what?” Cook hopped alongside her chair.
    “What, my handsome prince?”
    “We’re having tater tots for your birthday! They’re my favorite and I bet the cooker people made them just for you.”
    “Really?” She feigned wide-eyed shock. “How incredibly kind of them. And clever of you to know how much I enjoy a nice
tot.
” She winked at me and her son.
    “Mom, we waited for you to go through to the lunch ladies with us. Are you ready?”
    “Absolutely.”
    My son took Suzette’s hand, guiding her toward what remained of the student-filled line. She wore a black-and-white plaid Chanel wool suit and black pumps. Her multiple strands of Chanel pearls and the matching purse would no doubt keep my food bank healthy for years. Her massive diamond tennis bracelet sparkled in the sun.
    “Your bracelet’s gorgeous,” I said.
    “Thank you. It was my birthday gift from Theo. I adore it and the man.” She winked before falling back in step with her grandson.
    “After you,” Canton gestured for me to precede him.
    “Thank you.” I forced a smile. I didn’t particularly like having him at my back, but then I wasn’t a fan of his under any circumstance. He’d always been a nice enough guy on family occasions—even when