“For what?”

“For going against my parents, for hurting you, for making bad decisions one after another.”

Her mouth tilted down at the corners. I reached out and touched her hand. “Hey, high school was a long time ago. We were kids on different paths. You’re doing what’s best for yourself and your family. Do you think what happened between us was wrong or that what’s going on with Grayson is wrong?”

She covered my hand with her own and squeezed. “No, of course not. I’m proud of him. I’m even proud of myself for finally seeing what we were doing. I hate that the girls will be affected by this, but it’s the best for our relationship as their parents.”

“What about you? What happens to you?” I didn’t move my hand.

“I’ll still run Grayson’s charities. I’m not worried about me. I want to make sure the girls are good. The lawyer recommended some therapy for all of us to get used to the idea of being a split family.”

“They know and love Uncle Matt, right?”

“They do. So much. And he adores them. Plus his parents love the girls so I know they are going to be loved and well cared for. I’m worried about my parents’ reaction to all of this.”

I clenched my jaw to keep from spouting horrible things about her parents. That was her battle. “What do you think’s going to happen?” I was fearful of the O’Neals. They had money and the power of the church behind them. If nothing else, they could destroy Grayson in the press, which would affect Parker and the girls. “I mean, do you think they would disown you? You’re their only child.”

“I really don’t know. They’ve gotten even more ‘churchy’ over the last few years. Maybe they suspect about Grayson, but they definitely know about me.”

What did that mean? “Know about you how? What do you mean?”

She pulled her hand back and linked her fingers together and rested them gently on her lap. She was always so graceful, even as a teenager. “My sexual identity. I’m tired of trying to fit in a mold that the whole world wants me to fit in. I understand Grayson’s frustration. Only he has it ten times worse because he’s in a sport that doesn’t accept gays.”

“Hopefully, that’s changing. I think if Grayson comes out to the world on his terms and not in a way that has him scrambling around, it will help other players. Homophobia exists everywhere, but the younger generation is more tolerant.”

She leaned her head back on the couch and sighed. “You’ve always been so strong and proud. I always envied your life. Your dad was so supportive. And your friends. You’re even still friends with guys you played football with.”