Greg clears his throat loudly, creating a bit of distance as he leans back in his creaky chair and folds his arms across that broad chest. The movement allows a brief flicker of vulnerability to pass over his rugged features before the mask of nonchalant bravado slips back into place.
"Listen, we'd be a couple of goddamn hypocrites if we tried giving you grief over wanting out of this life, you hear?" His tone is gruff but there's an underlying current of understanding there too. "Rose and I have been exactly where you're standing more times than I can count over the years."
I reach out automatically, letting my hand come to rest on Greg's forearm in a silent show of support. He glances sidelong at me, holding my gaze for a beat before continuing.
"Hell, if you'd asked me a few months b
