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“Ijust came by to drop this off,” he says, pointing at the tres leches. “Don’tbe a dick when it ain’t her fault.”

Robbiepurses his lips and gently urgesBrandyforward to deposit their bags on the counter.SheeyeballsAdrianandIboth suspiciously, giving me one of the worst evil eyesI’veever had the misfortune of experiencing.

“Youknow what?”Robbiestarts. “Youshould stay.”

“Babe!”Brandysays harshly.

“Dree’smy best bud,” he responds curtly as he curls an arm aroundAdrian’sneck.Hestiffens, waiting forRobbie’snext move with a look of apprehension. “He’sfamily.Hecan stay.”

Thetension in the room has everyone on edge, watching cautiously asRobbie’ssandy-colored arm squeezesDree’stattooed neck before shoving him away.

“Ify’all are gonna fight, take it outside,”Dadwarns.

“It’scool,”Robbieinsists, still glowering. “We’recool.”

Adrianslips away, passing behindDadand around the island to come to my side.RobbieandDadboth glare atAdrian, which turns into audible huffing as he leans over to kiss my head.

Robbiestalks toward us, grabsAdrianby the arm, and drags him to the porch.

WhenIgo to wash my hands after tossing the biscuits into the oven,Ioverhear yelling.Apeek out the kitchen window into the backyard shows a glimpse ofAdrianandRobbiegetting heated before things suddenly go quiet.Adrianstares atRobbiein shock for a moment before pulling him in for a strong embrace, slapping him on the back a couple of times.

Mybrows furrow as they re-enter the house.

Mommashes potatoes in herMagnalitepot that’s older thanRobbieand me, both. “Youboys gonna behave at that festival in a couple of weeks?” she asks.

Simultaneously, they say, “Yes, ma’am.”

Thecrease between my brows deepens.Whatthe fuck just happened?

“Hey,IthoughtIwas helping,”Dreesays as he approaches.

Islip away from the kitchen, around the corner into a hallway, and he follows.

“Youcan help me by telling me what the hell happened out there,”Iwhisper furiously.

Hishands cup my cheeks, mouth pressing against mine.

Ishove him away and lick my lips. “What’sgoin’ on?”

Hestares down at the space between us silently.Then, he takes my hand and leads me toward the dining room.

Momruns into us. “Dree, mind bringin’ the taters to the table?”

Foronce, he doesn’t hesitate to drop my hand and abandon me for a task.And, to be honest,I’ma little offended.

Steamingdishes of brisket and sides spread out across the table.Adrianreaches for a biscuit, butMompops his hand.

“Grace, you heathen!” she hisses.

EveryoneexceptBrandycrosses themselves, and we bow our heads.

“Blessus,OLord, and these, thy gifts, which we are about to receive from thy bounty.ThroughChrist, ourLord.Amen.”

Idon’t thinkI’veseenAdriancross himself and kiss the cross he makes with his thumb and forefinger since before his parents’ funeral.

Justwhen things could not possibly get any weirder,RobbieandAdrianactuallyspeak to each other.

“Youget tickets to theDreamTheatershow yet?”