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With that, I left the dining room and went downstairs I had no desire to be lectured about my involveether like that, but still, it was none of their business if ere I had always ot aith things I never even would have dreaet aith I'd always been onup, and still was

To think, they doubted me now, as an adult, pissed me off beyond reason

I grabbedand walked out the patio door As soon as I did, I srill next door Marcus was barbecuing sohtful He looked over and saw entle smile

“Hey there,” he said “We have some extra pork steaks if you'd like to join us”

I knew I shouldn't I knew if it did, it would only piss uy His past was behind hi my parents said could convinceif e, and decided I didn't care

“Thanks, I'd love to,” I said with a smile

CHAPTER EIGHT

“Where are the kids?” I asked, noticing the backyard was quieter than normal

There was no Zoey and Zack running around like chickens with their heads cut off, it was just the two of us standing back there next to his grill I was so used to the y of the children that the lack of it e, and a little empty

“Oh, my mom called and wanted to see the the over at her place It's good for therandparents once in a while And to be honest, I could use the break”

“Yeah, I'randparents aren't local The ones that are still alive, anyway”

“Oh, I'm sorry to hear that I didn't know that”

He popped the top on a beer and guided me over to the picnic table near the pool I took a seat and Marcus sat down across from me

I shrugged “My mom's parents live in Maine, we've visited a few tiet around better”

He nodded “Getting old sucks, that's for sure”