Gatekeeper's Secret
Copyright© 2026 by Fick Suck
Chapter 9
“I don’t think they’re joining us for lunch,” Laia said.
“I guess they have more important things to do,” Grady said, taking another bite of his sandwich. “I’m envious if I’m honest.”
Laia looked instantly uncomfortable. “How so?”
Grady put down his sandwich. “They danced around each other for what, two years or so. Then, they finally made the leap of faith about a year ago and started dating each other, instead of beating around the bush. They’re happy when they’re with each other and when you’re with them, they make you happy too; well, me, at least. I think it’s alchemy, magic and what they have, they share so easily. Yeah, I’m envious; I want what they have and better, to be what they are. Does that make sense?”
“When you put it like that, yeah, you make sense,” Laia said before she took another bite of her sandwich. “Do you think they’ll get married?”
“Ah, a moment in time or a moment of a lifetime,” Grady said, shaking his head. “Sorry, that’s my grandpa talking. If they got married the day after graduation, I think they would be making a big mistake. A few years down the line when we see how everything is shaking out, at that point all of us will know a lot more about the world.” Grady went silent for a moment before his eyebrows shot up. “I get it. When I said I was envious, you thought I was talking about having sex. Laia. We’ll go to my bedroom when you tell me we’re going. You already gave me a kiss that knocked my boots off.”
“I was worried that I got a little ahead of myself,” Laia said, looking chagrined. “Guys don’t like girls who are prick teases and I came on pretty strong.”
Grady raised his hand like he was in class. “I liked it. I’ll take more of that from you. Whatever you’re willing to share, I’m in. I’m pleased to know that the feelings between us are mutual.”
He gathered up the dishes and piled them in the sink. Laia stood up, looking around as if she was lost and unsure. Grady brushed past her, grabbing her hand and yanking her after him. After sitting her on the couch, he sat down next to her. Something thumped against the wall down the hallway. They looked at each other.
“I don’t want to know,” Grady said.
“I’m dying to know, but I shouldn’t,” Laia said with lascivious grin. “Kiss?”
“I don’t think that was a kiss we heard,” Grady said, shaking his head slowly with mock disbelief.
“Grady, shut up and kiss me.”
He did and they kept at it for quite some time. Grady became well acquainted with many of her curves and crevices although he was careful to keep their clothes basically in place. They only broke their clinch when the bedroom door opened and running feet were heard heading for the bathroom. They looked towards the hallway and then looked back at each other with a shrug.
“Nature calls,” Grady said. “I’m told it happens to everyone.”
“This is all too earthy for me,” Laia said. “I don’t trust myself at the moment, and I don’t want regrets for rushing things. Can we go somewhere and do something else?”
Grady stood up and motioned for her to follow him. He yelled down the hallway that they were going to run errands before stepping outside. Opening the passenger door, Grady ushered Laia into the truck. At the road, he turned right instead of left towards town. When Laia asked where they were going, he told her they were going to check out some of the property to the west. He glanced at her sneakers, explaining to her they could not go far with what she was wearing, but there was a lot to see.
Keeping an eye on the odometer, when ten miles scrolled past, Grady told her to start looking for a place to pull over. Two minutes later, she called the spot and Grady parked the truck. The cliff was still close to the road, forcing Laia to slide across the bench seat and exit on the driver’s side. The air was cold, brisk, and sweet in his nostrils.
Marking his route, Grady stood on the hood of the truck and hoisted himself up onto the top of bluff. On his knees he reached down, grasping Laia’s arm at the wrist and hauled her up and over the edge.
“Whew!” she said, as she tucked her shirt back in her pants. Looking up, she declared, “Wow!”
He motioned for her to follow him as they walked around the bushes and the naturally carved holes in the rock. They walked slowly towards the line of trees, taking time to appreciate the beauty that was all around them. An eagle soared overhead, its shadow racing across the terrain.
Grady motioned Laia to take a seat on a jutting rock. She settled in and snuggled up close to him. They sat in silence, simply enjoying the quiet and the moment.
“You really know how to impress a girl,” Laia said, the awe clear in her voice.
“Some girls,” Grady said. “I love this land, and I’m drawn to people who are drawn to it as well. I don’t ask for beautiful, but you are. I wanted to ask you out, but the grocery was always awkward when most of the town is coming in at one moment or another. I don’t see you in school anymore, and I thought to myself, damn, I blew my chance.”
“Lucky for you that when I see something I like, I go for it,” Laia said.
“That’s the way my grandpa and grandma got together,” Grady acknowledged. “He took her for a horse ride, and she took him for a ride, and as they say, the rest is history. I don’t think he had a chance once she locked her focus on him.”
She patted Grady on the knee. “Listen up, Devil Tongue, I already got myself a heap of embarrassment with lusty promises earlier today. I’m starting to get cold out here even though I hoped I could simply stay out here until the sun hit the horizon. They had to pull the fire alarm when it’s still winter, another reason they’re idiots. Take me back to your house and we can figure out what’s next.”
Back in the truck, Laia sat hip to hip with Grady with a dreamy look on her face. On the way into the drive, Enrique waved him down. Grady rolled down his window.
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