August 5

Loon Call Island, Lake Rosseau, Muskoka

I'm anxiously waiting for my shift to end while trying to stay productive as the clock ticks so slowly, it feels like time is moving backward. Hudson was released from the local hospital this morning and Theo texted me to tell me he's back at his cottage now.

Greyson's been moody all day, choosing to keep his distance and I'm trying to respect that. It's just so frustrating watching this cycle continue, chipping away at me every time he pulls back. He's been giving me the cold shoulder ever since the hospital, but especially since Liam's mom told us they plan to move up north this weekend.

I feel like my attention and energy are being pulled into too many directions, now. I don't know where to focus; I don't know how much longer I can manage to keep my head above water. I can't think about it now, though. I just need to keep moving. If I stop, I might just sink.

Trying to stay occupied, I spray the glass windows with Windex and clean them all until they are gleaming.

"Jeeze, Ellie-bean, you're making me anxious the way you're going at it today." Hunter's voice startles me and I look over my shoulder at him with an embarrassed smile.

"Sorry, Hunter, just trying to keep busy." I laugh, itching to finish the last window but I also don't want him to make fun of me.

I edge closer to it and quickly spray it, wiping it down to the sound of Hunter's laughter, before fidgeting again immediately after, looking for something else to occupy me. "I'll cut you loose, Elle. All you had to do was ask."

"Are you sure?" I beam at him. He's the best first real boss a girl could ask for.

"Yeah, Grey and I will finish up." Hunter moves around the desk, taking the roll of paper towel and bucket of cleaning supplies from me, bumping my shoulder with his. "Scram, brat."

Not needing to be told twice, I punch out and grab my bag, heading to my boat. I dash over to where Greyson's washing a big flashy boat that's launching tomorrow, some hotshot vacation renter.

"Hunter cut me loose so I can go see Hudson. I'll ask Theo to come grab you at the end of shift, okay?"

Nodding, he drops down from the boat and walks me to the end of the dock, dropping a quick kiss to my lips before he unties my boat, pushing the bow out as I jump in the stern. "I'll find you later, then. Say hey to Hud for me."

I frown over my shoulder at him, "Won't you come by and see him?"

"No. I'll try to come by and see you later. Otherwise, I'll just pick you up for work. We can drive down to do your riding thing straight from here tomorrow, okay?"

Unable to read his mood, I nod. Waving over my shoulder, I speed up, zipping across the glassy lake to Hudson's.

Pulling my boat in, I tie off and wander up the hill, pausing at the sound of Joy's voice. I wonder what she's doing here. My curiosity increases even more when I hear my mom's voice join in.

"Honestly, Joy, you have to tell Grey and Tess. I'm sorry you're having a hard time with this, but it needs to come from you, not from Hugh, or anyone else."

I stop, knowing it's rude of me to listen without announcing my presence, but also too surprised and curious to stop myself from eavesdropping.

"You make it sound so simple, Di. I already feel like I'm walking on eggshells around Grey, I can't pull the rug out from under him again, especially not now. Not when Tess is away. Even though I see him changing, with Elle, this could ruin him."

Heart hammering in my chest, I hold my breath, waiting.

Joy continues in a soft voice, "I never should have let him do the tests and screenings with Ryan for Liam last year. We wouldn't be here now if I'd only said no. He was heartbroken enough as it was that even though he was a match, Liam and his family had already gone into the new trial, so he couldn't do anything. Now, his best friend is dying and I have to tell him Hugh isn't his biological father on top of that? And that Hugh's asked for a divorce? What am I going to do Di?"

My mind racing, I cover my mouth with my hand, pressing my other hand to my chest, kneading my breast bone with my knuckles restlessly, trying to take it all in. Everything clicks into place, Greyson's reluctance to spend time at his cottage, talk about why he walked away in any detail, or have me over for any length of time, Hugh's absence from our family events, aside from Canada Day, Joy's stressed, sad, and just a little indifferent demeanor.

I hear the soft whispers of my mom, comforting her friend. I hear the shift of furniture and the screen door snapping shut as Brooke's voice enters the mix. I imagine my mom sitting next to Joy, wrapping her up in the way I've only ever seen her do between them.

"Hugh s-said he's leaving this month, that he won't k-keep pret-tending. I thought we could work past it, it's been nearly nine months, but Hugh has just been hammering Grey at every opportunity. I'm worried he's going to say something out of bitterness or spite. Has he said anything to Linc or Geordie? I don't know what I'm going to do." My heart cracks, for Joy but also for her family, for Greyson.

Brooke's voice is soft, reassuring as she speaks to Joy. "Well you've already taken the first step Joy, you've got your lawyer, and you couldn't have better representation than Alice for this. You gave up your career to raise your family, if Hugh can't see past one indiscretion after twenty-four years of marriage, after all the affairs he's had, then the lawyer will deal with that too. We knew this was a risk when you told us you were pregnant with Greyson, when we all decided to tell everyone you'd been pregnant one month longer than you had been and that he was late. Your dad protected you and the cottage when you got married, and I promise we'll be with you every step. As far as Linc and Geordie are concerned, neither Di nor I have said anything. You made us promise, and it doesn't look like Hugh's told them. I'm sure we'd know if he had, since they can't keep anything quiet between the two of them."

"Have something to drink, Joy, try to relax a bit. I promise, we'll help you tell your family. You know it won't change how Tess feels, or your own father. They're who matter most right now, when it comes to how they feel about Grey, not your cheating soon-to-be ex-husband."

A watery laugh bubbles up from Joy, "What would I do without you girls. Honestly, Di, after everything from last year, how Hugh drove Greyson away from Elle out of spite for your getting involved in all of this. That man has far too much control over my son's self-worth. That's something I need to be brave enough to change. I just honestly don't know what I would do without you."

"You nevermind that. As far as Elle is concerned, she didn't even know we knew about her romance, so we just let her keep it to herself. I knew your boy wouldn't be able to stay away for long, that he would find a way to repair it, and he is. Elle's heart is soft, but she's young and it's still resilient. Plus, even though we couldn't give her any girls her age, her own Brooke or Joy, she has Hud, and he's a good boy, a good friend."

I'm absolutely floored by what I'm hearing, understanding over the shifting dynamic among our parents crashing into me all at once. When their conversation shifts to more practical matters about the lawyers, court dates, and plans, I walk around the other side of the cottage as quietly as I can.

After waiting a few moments, I call out, announcing my arrival. I just need to pretend everything is fine, then get out of here. But how will I survive forty-eight hours with Greyson, knowing what I know?

When I turn into the large glassed-in living room, Hudson's voice booms out, just a little desperately. "Elle, thank God you're here, smother mother is in full swing."

Ignoring her son, Brooke smiles at me, fluffing the pillow behind Hudson's back. "Elle, sweetie, I didn't know you'd be by so early. What a delightful surprise, your mum and Joy are out on the porch."

Hudson rolls his eyes at me. Theo's passed out next to him on the sofa, napping. "Mom, I'm fine, I promise. I will tell you if I have a headache or feel nauseous."

Shaking myself out of my momentary freeze, pasting a happy smile on my face, I walk over and slide my arm around Brooke's waist in solidarity, knowing my friend's restless energy will only grow as he's cooped up inside. "Tough patient?"

She runs her hand over my hair, placing a kiss to the top of my head and smiling down at me, "The toughest. Just like each of your fathers after the little incident last summer. Maybe you can talk some sense into him."

I groan, and Hudson rolls his eyes, again. Last summer, Geordie and Dad went at it in a rigorous, overly competitive tennis match last summer, their competitive sides coming out and common sense going the way of the Dodo bird so to say. The match had ended with Geordie needing a knee replacement and my dad tearing his ACL.

Both patients had been miserable. Now, Geordie brags about his updated, upgraded, bionic knee, goading my father at every opportunity to have a rematch. My mum and Brooke strictly forbid the men from playing any sport together aside from golf these days, although they've certainly had more than their fair share of exciting golf rounds.

My dad and Geordie are eternally stuck in their teenage years when it comes to competing and one-upping each other. Normally entertaining, but as they get older, it's proving to be downright dangerous.

My mind reeling between what I've learned and memories from the past, I struggle to maintain my smile.

"Hudson, you swore you would never be that difficult when we were stuck with them last summer." I tease him, stepping away from Brooke and flopping down on the sofa next to him, sliding my butt between Theo's thighs and the back of the sofa and hooking my legs over his. He doesn't even twitch.

Sighing, Brooke leaves us and I look over at Hudson and smile. "Sure good to have you home. How's your thick head?"

He chuckles and pulls the white bandage on his cheek aside and my stomach clutches. "Pretty gnarly, huh?" His stitches are nearly black and the cut is a dark bloody red. It looks positively gruesome. The stitches are small, tightly woven, precise.

I lean over and brush a gentle kiss just next to the long, thin line of stitches. "Well, it certainly looks better like that than it did before. I like it when your insides stay on the inside, if I'm being honest." It had been pretty scary, floating in the water with him, his cheek split open, the soft gummy flesh oozing blood next to my face.

Settling my head down on his shoulder, avoiding his eyes, I can finally admit what I've been holding inside. "I've never been so scared of anything before. I never want to see you hurt again."

His arm tightens around me and his lips press against my forehead. "No promises, but I can't say I wouldn't like a repeat of that. Theo says I'll have a sick scar, that chicks will dig it at any rate."

I laugh a little shakily, trust Theo to see the bright side and think of it from a hookup perspective. Although I'm sure Hudson would look dashing no matter what, I'm sad a scar will mar his beautiful face, especially one this big. But it doesn't matter to me, I'm only happy he'll be fine.

"You'll look dashing no matter what, Hudson. It will certainly add to your devilishly handsome good looks."

"So, you think I'm handsome, do you?" His eyes twinkle down at me, filled with humour as he chucks me under the chin with his index finger, smiling. "In all seriousness, Elle. What's up? You can't hide from me, and I know something's up."

I can't shake the need to stay close to him, to keep contact with him, so I curl up as close to him as I can manage without actually sitting on him. His fingers tangle absently in the ends of my hair in an old fidgety habit of his, telling me just how restless he is.

"I can't talk about it yet, I promise I'll tell you when I can, but it's not my secret. Please don't push, okay?"

Hudson shifts my face back up to look me in the eyes, his fingers holding my chin firmly in place. "I'll push if I need to push, if I see you need me to push, but okay."

Relief slides through me and I crawl onto Hudson's lap, wrapping my arms around his neck and hugging him. "Can I just stay here for a bit?"

"Sure, but just hold still, your bony elbows and knees can do a body serious damage, and I'm pretty sure if you get any closer, you'll be crawling inside my skin."

Theo stirs a short while later, shaking his head quickly to clear the fog of sleep from his brain, then nodding when I ask him to go get Greyson. He doesn't bother putting a shirt, or shoes on as he leaves.

I scramble off the sofa to get us some sodas and snacks and we pop on a movie. Theo joins us again partway through, giving me a concerned look, then stretching out and resting his head on my leg, so the three of us are connected. Comfort, familiarity and peace settle over me and I thank the universe again for my friends.

We've all seen the Die Hard movie before, so instead of rewinding, he just swipes the bowl of popcorn from me and settles in to watch the rest.

When Hudson falls asleep, I nudge Theo. Reluctantly, I ask, "Should we head out?"

Theo shoves another big handful of popcorn into his mouth, but shakes his head at me. "You go, I'm crashing here for the next few days. My parents are away again and Hudson didn't want Brooke and Geordie to cancel visiting Logan, so I'm playing nursemaid this week, since you and Grey are heading to do your cowgirl thing."

I smile. I know Theo knows I'm not a cowgirl, but he always teases me. "Okay, send me a list if you guys want or need anything when we drive back up. We'll be back Friday evening, since Liam's moving up here on Saturday."

The mention of Liam causes Theo's gaze to shift away and I see the sadness in his eyes just before he averts his gaze.

We all know what this means, our parents have talked to us about it, about what Liam might or might not need from us, or want to do, not want to do. We all know it's only a matter of time at this point.

My parents are supportive, shuffling commitments around to give me more free time, and Greyson and I are going to work split shifts which means we'll have less time together, but he'll be able to spend most of his free time with Sam, Ryan, and Liam.

I'm determined to be a beacon of positivity for my friends and make sure that Liam has a chance to enjoy some of the things he loves most, with the people closest to him. If left to his own devices, Greyson would likely brood through the rest of the summer.

"Will you and Hudson come hang some evenings? I know Liam would like that, might make him feel a sense of normalcy. I'm sure it's a stressful decision he's made to come here."

Theo nods but doesn't lift his head. I kneel in front of him and place my hands on his knees. "It's okay to be sad, Theo. We just need to be supportive as well."

His long arms reach around to hug me and I let him pull me close, kneeling between his legs, his head on my shoulder. I squeeze hard, stroking my hand up and down his back.

I bite my lip, trying to hold back tears of my own, hating the fact that I'm an empathetic crier, and already fairly emotional in my own right generally speaking.

Life just seems so unfair right now. I hate to see everyone hurting and other than be the source of positive energy, there isn't much more I can do. But I soothe myself with the knowledge that I am totally committed to making sure these boys create memories that can last a lifetime.

- - - 

So it was a lot of build-up to this point, and Greyson's insecurity and denial over the change in his relationship with his dad has led to some avoidance he obviously hasn't dealt with yet. 

How do you think his relationship with Elle will develop once he finds out the truth? Do you think she should tell him, or risk him being angry at her when he finds out she knew before he did?

As always, looking forward to your thoughts and consider voting if you like the chapter!

Xx Toria