“That’s not nothing,” I countered.
“It sure is,” she said forcefully.
I could take a hint and decided to leave it alone. Dinner was tense, at least for me. Undercurrents were flowing between Grant, Diego, me, Skylar, and even Tucker. Although Cat still had her secret knowledge, she seemed out of this little loop. I started to get worried.
* * *
Cat left after dinner, announcing she had play practice. She was borrowing Nora's truck, meaning Grant and I had the house to ourselves. I fully intended to investigate the tension earlier and took my usual direct approach.
“What the hell is going on?” I asked the minute he came in.
He’d waited a full half an hour after I had left the lodge to come to the staff house, which had me twisted up with impatience inside.
“What do you mean?” he countered as he hung up his jacket and left his shoes by the door.
“Something is up.” I stood from the couch, crossing my arms. “Just tell me.”
He was quiet for a minute, then took a quick breath. “I talked to Diego.”
“What?!” I yelped.
“All I told him was I had feelings for you. I didn't tell him anything had happened.”
“Oh my God. I can't believe you did that.”
“Harley, I had to say something. You know it'll come down on me if he finds out any other way.”
“Well, you didn't have to say anything!” I ground out between gritted teeth.
“Could you just listen? Sit down, please.”
“Fine.” I plunked on the couch, shimmying back into the corner of the sectional while he sat beside me.
“I do have feelings for you.”
“Well, if you had feelings for me, you should’ve told me, not my brother.”
“Would you listen to what I said?”
I tried to take a breath as my heart hammered in my chest. “You have feelings for me?” I repeated.
“Yeah.”
“Well, the sex is hot.” I tried to divert.
“You know that's not what I mean, and I don't think I'm alone.” As I tried to absorb his words, he pressed on, “I didn't expect this, but I don't want to screw this up.”
“Why didn't you talk to me before you talked to Diego?”
“Because I don't want this to blow up.”
“You don't want to blow this up so you talk to my brother about it?” I countered, my tone sharp.
“All I told him was I had feelings for you. I didn't tell him anything has happened.”
“He's not stupid,” I muttered.
Grant leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and running his hands through his hair. The sound of him taking a deep breath was audible. He lifted his head, his eyes meeting mine. The look there was earnest and intent.