Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 65083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
I nod, keeping my eyes straight ahead.
“After you told me the older boys had a tattoo shop, I looked them up online,” she continues. “I saw pictures of Kai and Gage. All three of them have grown into such handsome men.”
We’re getting close to the Sanchezes’ house, but it may not be too late for me to jump out of the car. “For the next few hours, can you please pretend I never told you any of this?” I beg.
“Of course, dear. Of course.”
And I do trust her. I wouldn’t have let myself confess any of this to her today if I didn’t believe she could be discreet, but it’s not going to make the day any easier.
KAI
“Remember, you’re under strict orders,” Gage says in a low tone to both Thorn and me, but it’s mostly directed at me. The three of us are alone in the dining room.
“What do you mean?”
“No shenanigans like last week,” he says. “I don’t know what you were doing under the table, but Lexy was not happy about it.”
“I disagree. She liked it a lot.” Gage doesn’t need to know this part, but when Lexy and I got together at my place after dinner last week, she was already wet and ready for me as soon as she walked in the door.
“It’s Thanksgiving,” Thorn says. “Our grandparents and cousins and her mother will be here. Don’t make Lexy have to sit here trying to keep a straight face while you cop a feel.”
I nudge my little brother out of the way with my shoulder before laying down a plate from the stack I’m holding. “Sometimes you’re no fun, Thorn.”
“That’s not what Lexy tells me.”
I give him another bump, harder this time, but I’m not as jealous as I pretend to be. Though he always stops short of sharing intimate details or saying anything crude, Thorn delights in reminding me that he’s spending time with Lexy, too.
He says it to get a rise out of me, but the joke’s on him. Strange as it is, I’m glad he’s happy, and I’m glad Lexy’s the one making him happy.
She’s making me happier than I’ve ever been, and it’s clear Gage has an extra spring in his step these days, too.
We’re all happy, and I know Lexy’s happy, too, except … she’s holding back. Apart from brief moments, it never feels like I have her fully present with me. I don’t think it has anything to do with Gage or Thorn, though. In fact, I’d bet money that she holds something back with them, too.
It’s probably because of her jerk of an ex. I know she needs time to heal, and I didn’t even give her a minute to take a breath after her breakup.
I couldn’t help myself.
I’ve been trying to give her time since then, but I don’t want to wait any longer.
It bothers me a lot that Lexy hasn’t made any moves to rent an apartment. Aside from her job, there’s nothing holding her here, and I don’t like it.
“Our parents aren’t dumb,” Thorn says. “They know something’s going on; they just don’t know what.”
“Lexy doesn’t want them to know,” Gage says.
Maybe I shouldn’t be teasing Lexy at our family dinners, but I’m getting tired of keeping things a secret. I’m not sure my parents will approve—in fact, I’m pretty sure they won’t—but they’ll get over it. They love Lexy, and they love Gage and Thorn and me. Once they get used to the idea, everything will be fine.
My thoughts scatter as guests start arriving: cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents, and a few family friends. We have extra tables set up for all the people. There are two turkeys with all the trimmings, plus tamales and mole.
Lexy and her mother are among the last to arrive. Before I have time to do much more than say hello and take the bottles of wine they brought, my mother bustles up and seats both of them at one of the overflow tables, with several of the cousins.
My first reaction is anger. Lexy belongs at the main table, with us. Before I can say anything, Thorn grips my shoulder.
“Our grandparents are at the main table in the place of honor,” he says. “You know that. Are you going to tell Mama that she needs to move them?”
“Of course not,” I mutter.
“Let’s just enjoy the day. We have lots of other opportunities to spend time with her.”
“Not enough.” It comes out almost a growl.
It’s not true, not really; Lexy spends as much time with me as any person reasonably could who works a full-time job and dates three men. But I want it all. I want to tell the world she’s with us. “We should have our own table,” I grumble. “Just the four of us.”
Gage, who’s come to stand near us, raises an eyebrow. “Do you really want to make an issue of it, today of all days?”