Reality Ever After Read Online Free Page A

change.
    “Thanks.” Sydney exhaled. “What am I going to do Granny? Mom’s going to kill me.” She hung her head. “If Daddy doesn’t kill Crew first.”
    Granny laughed softly. “I know you can’t see it right now, but it’s all going to work out. These things always do.” Granny paused until Sydney looked up at her. “You love that young man.”
    “As if that was in question.” Sydney snorted. “He’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of…and more.”
    “Okay,” Granny interrupted. “None of the gritty details. I have to close my eyes enough when I’m around you two.”
    “Exactly how much have you seen?” Sydney reddened.
    “I don’t just hang around all eternity watching you two fawn over each other. Relax.” Granny’s eyes twinkled.
    Crew’s red Jeep crept to a stop in front of the house. Sydney’s heart thudded irregularly, torn between excitement to see Crew and dread of revealing their news.
    “Go,” Granny urged. “I’ll be watching over you.”
    Sydney gave her a smile, more grateful than she could admit for her grandmother’s continued presence in her life. She’d be devastated without her love and support.
    She flew down the wide front staircase, jerking the door open.
    “Hi,” she greeted him. He looked amazing in a button-down white shirt left open at the collar and some grey slacks. His dark hair curled slightly at his neck and those navy blue eyes looked at her so intently, she couldn’t help but walk right into his arms.
    “Hey, beautiful.” Crew kissed her briefly. His hand trembled on her back. “Where are they?”
    “Mom’s cleaning up dinner and my dad’s in his office.”
    “Okay. Where do you want to do this?”
    “In here.”
    She escorted him into the formal living room.
    “I’ll be right back,” she said.
    “Can’t wait.” He winked before wiping his hands on his pants and sinking onto the loveseat, wisely avoiding Mom’s fancy chairs. He sat with his hands clasped, bracing his elbows on his knees.
    Sydney slowly approached the kitchen. “Hey Mom, when you’re done can you get Dad and come in the living room?”
    Her mother looked up from the dishwasher. “Why?”
    “Crew and I have something we want to tell you.” Sydney gulped. Please don’t ask what it is. Please don’t ask what it is.
    “What is it?” Her mom actually liked Crew, but she didn’t sound pleased to be asked to do anything by Sydney.
    “We’ll tell you in a minute.” Sydney fled the room before her mom could question her further. She reached Crew’s side, sitting by him and grasping his hand. His normally tan skin was drained of color. She gave his hand a small squeeze, trying to relay her support and love without words. What could words do anyway? They couldn’t make it better. They couldn’t avoid what was coming. All she could think to do was pray that her dad didn’t kill Crew and her mom didn’t completely lose it.
    “You okay?” she whispered.
    “No.”
    She winced. “Come on. I know how tough you are—wrestling steers, single-handedly taking the state football title, smarter than anyone in town. You can handle my daddy.”
    Crew tugged at his collar. “Syd,” he said, “I didn’t single-handedly win the championship. Every guy on the team played a part. Are you telling me you wouldn’t mind if I brought my football buddies in here to take your dad down?” He arched an eyebrow.
    “Come on, you’d need the whole team?”
    “Maybe just my center and a few linebackers.”
    She chortled. “Not sure he’d be too impressed.”
    “And I aim to impress.”
    “Well, I know I’m impressed.”
    He gave her that slow grin and leaned in for a kiss, but was interrupted by her mom gliding into the room, followed closely by her dad. Sydney’s heart thudded so loudly she was sure they could hear it. Crew leaped to his feet, ripping his hand from Sydney’s grasp.
    “Oh, Crew,” Caroline pressed his hand warmly, ever the gracious hostess. “How fun that