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twenty-six

A football game is cued up on the TV while the sound of laughter rings out through the house. I love spending time with Mom and Clay during the holidays, but today it feels different, and it has everything to do with Kellan and Grace being with us. I know it will be even crazier when the rest of the guys show up.

The Wolves have a hockey game this weekend, so the coach put a travel ban on the team for anywhere farther than an hour and a half away. At first the guys were going to stay home and do their own thing, but when Mom found out, she had Clay invite them. Considering they are guys and they never turn down food, they accepted the invitation. They plan on making the drive down here this morning and then heading back to campus tonight.

At first I didn’t know how I felt about them coming. Not because I don’t want them to, but because I need to talk to Mom and Clay about my plans. I don’t know how they will take it, and the last thing I want is for them to blow up in front of the guys. The guys coming though, buys me a little time, and right now I’m all about putting things off it seems.

“You know, Grace, this feels like a normal Thanksgiving, just at a different location and without our parents,” Kellan says as he pops a cracker with cheese into his mouth.

Grace smiles as she slices more cheese for the charcuterie board. “You’re right.”

“You guys spend Thanksgiving together?” my mom asks.

“Almost every year since we were in high school,” Kellan confirms.

“Our moms are best friends and basically attached to the hip,” Grace adds.

“Ah, well that’s nice. I’m glad we could give you a little bit of normalcy today then,” Mom says.

Kellan looks over at me. “Fair warning, we do Christmas Eve together too.”

“So what I’m hearing is that I will get to hang out with my brother then too?”

“You know it.” Kellan winks.

“Do you guys have any Christmas Day traditions?” Mom asks.

“Christmas morning is for our individual houses, but that night we all get together and order way too much Chinese food and watch movies and play board games,” Grace says.

“Looks like you’re stuck with me for both holidays.” Clay teases me as he walks into the room.

I scrunch my nose. “And here I was looking forward to the day that I wouldn’t have to see your face across from me at every holiday meal.”

“Cora…” Mom scolds.

“I’m joking!”

“Sure you were,” Clay teases.

The doorbell rings, and the guys leave to answer it.

“Okay, Mom, what do you need me to do now?” I ask as I push up my sleeves.

“Can you start peeling potatoes, please? Grace, when you’re done with that, if you could move on to the green bean casserole, I would appreciate it.”

“Of course.”

The sound of footsteps coming our way has us all looking up. Brett, Beckett, and Wyatt all come into the room holding different things in their hands.

“Ladies, did you miss me?” Beckett teases.

“I literally saw you yesterday,” Grace deadpans.

“Jelly Bean, you wound me.” Beckett clutches his chest like she shot him, making her roll her eyes.

“Hey, Cora,” the guys say as they give me hugs before moving on to Grace.

“Thank you for inviting us,” Brett says as he hands Mom a bottle of wine.

“Yeah, thank you for letting us crash your Thanksgiving,” Beckett says as he sets down a pie.

“Thank you,” Wyatt says plainly as he hands her flowers.

“Oh, you boys didn’t need to bring anything,” my mom says.

“Yes, we did. Do you need us to do anything?” Beckett asks.

“No, how about you three go join Clay and Kellan in the living room? I think I heard a pregame show playing earlier.”

Wordlessly they leave the kitchen, and we get to work. While I peel potatoes, I can’t help but smile. Today is way more chaotic and louder than normal, and I absolutely love it. I never realized how quiet our house was until I moved out. It’s nice having everyone together and in one place. The only person missing is Peyton.

“Hey Grace, have you heard from Peyton today?” I ask.

“Yeah, she said it was a madhouse at work, but the tips were fantastic.”

“You told her she was more than welcome to join us, right?” Mom asks.

“I invited her,” I tell her.

Grace nods. “She knew she was more than welcome. I know Clay and I tried to convince her to come several times, but she was adamant about working a double today. She’s getting paid time and a half plus all the tips. She said she couldn’t say no.”

Mom nods. “Well, I understand that. That kind of money is hard to walk away from. We will send her food back with the boys.”

“Especially when you are doing it all on your own like she is,” I add.

“She’s a boss for sure,” Grace says.

The guys cheer, making us pause before we burst out laughing.

“I wonder what’s going on in there,” Grace says.

Mom shakes her head with a smile. “I don’t know, but it’s definitely louder in here than normal. I kind of like it.”

“Don’t say that too loud or they might get ideas,” I tease.

Mom reaches out and swats my arm. “Behave and make sure you get all the skin off those potatoes.”

She turns her back toward me, so I roll my eyes. “I know how to peel potatoes, Mom.”

“Don’t roll your eyes at me.”

Grace looks at me wide-eyed and whispers, “How did she know?”

“Moms…” I murmur so only she can hear me.

“How is school going for you girls?” Mom asks.

“Great. I’m loving my classes,” Grace tells her.

“I can’t believe you decided to live with the boys.” Mom shakes her head.

Grace shrugs. “It’s really not bad. They all clean up after themselves, and we get along great. They give me space when I need it, and it’s nice knowing that unless there is a game, there is always someone there when I get home.”

“I could see how that is nice. What about you Cora?” Mom asks.

“What about me?”

Mom shoots me a look that screams, why are you being difficult? “How are classes?”

“Fine.” I shrug.

I don’t look up at her. I know if I do, she will know that something is wrong, and getting into me wanting to drop out of school isn’t an option. Not right now at least.

I just need a few more hours. That’s it.

Then I’ll come clean.

* * *

“Okay, boys, the food is ready. Come help us move it all to the table so we can eat,” Grace says.

Without a complaint, the guys and I all get up and head into the kitchen. We move the food to the dining room all at once.

Clay sits at the head of the table, and his mom sits on the opposite end. Cora sits next to her mom, and I sit next to her. Grace is on my other side, where she sits next to Clay. Then on the other side of the table, Beckett is by Ms. James, and Brett is down by Clay. Leaving Wyatt in front of me.

“We don’t say grace or anything like that here, so just dig in. I hope you like everything,” Ms. James says.

“I’m sure it’s great,” I tell her, and the guys murmur in agreement.

The food is passed around and plates are filled.

Beckett groans as he takes a bite. “Ms. James, this is delicious. Marry me?”

Cora’s mom laughs, and her cheeks turn pink as she slaps his arm. “Stop it.”

“Yeah, Beckett, what would Peyton think of you proposing to someone else?” Grace teases.

Beckett rolls his eyes. “How many times do we have to tell you, Jelly Bean Pey and I are just friends. It’s not like that between us.”

Wyatt shoots me a look over the table, and I duck my head as I chuckle. He told me the other day that he’s almost positive he heard Beckett and Peyton fucking in Beckett’s room, which shares a wall with his. It seems like denial is the name of the game between them.

“This is seriously good,” Brett says as he takes a bite of mashed potatoes.

“We need to make sure we take a plate home for Peyton,” Wyatt reminds them.

“That’s sweet of you boys. I said the same thing in the kitchen. I’ll make sure to send you with plenty of leftovers. Lord knows when these four leave, I won’t have a need for them,” Cora’s mom says.

Beckett inspects a roll. “Did you make these yourself, or did you buy them?”

“The girls made them last night. The dough proofed in a bread maker,” Ms. James said.

Beckett turns toward Grace. “Do we have room for a bread maker in the kitchen? If so, we should totally buy one so we have these all the time.”

Grace rolls her eyes. “You guys rarely eat at home as it is. I don’t think we need a bread maker.”

“Hey, it’s not our fault that a meal plan is part of the hockey program. It would be a waste if we didn’t take advantage of it,” Brett says.

“Right…” Grace drawls.

Clay points his fork at her. “Wasn’t it you that had me bring her the poke cake every day last week? Last I checked, it couldn’t be found in the normal cafeteria.”

Grace ducks her head. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Cora turns toward me. “There was cake, and you never brought me any?”

I freeze, my fork halfway to my mouth. “Uh…”

“Oh, you done messed up…” Beckett whispers.

“I’m sorry? Next time they make it, I’ll grab you a slice,” I tell her.

“Fine.” Cora’s eyes narrow. “Just know I’m watching. If Grace gets dessert, I want some too.”

I look down at Clay. “This is all your fault.”

Clay shrugs. “What my girl wants, she gets. You should take notes.”

“Trust me, Kellan takes care of me just fine,” Cora says before I can say anything.

Clay cringes while the guys toss their heads back and laugh, totally catching Cora’s meaning.

I feel my cheeks heat. There’s nothing like your girlfriend making a sex joke at the dinner table.

“Cora, behave,” her mom scolds. “Although I am glad to hear that he’s taking care of you…as long as you all are being safe.”

“Mom!” both James kids cry out.

Shit, this is great.

“This would never happen at our Thanksgiving,” Grace whispers to me.

“Never. I like it,” I say quietly.

“Me too,” she says before looking back at her food.

She’s not wrong, though. While it’s a little weird being away from my parents today and I do miss them, I’m glad I’m here. I like getting to spend the holiday with Cora and everyone else.

She hasn’t told them about her plans yet, though. I know it’s going to happen, and things will be weird and probably a little tense when she does, but if today is anything to go by, it will be fine. It’s clear as day that they love her and will support her any way they can.

Cora’s phone starts ringing in the other room.

“Shit, sorry.” Cora jumps up and runs into the kitchen.

“I really wish she would have let it ring. No one should be calling today.” Her mom frowns.

“Maybe it’s something important. Like you said, no one should be calling,” Clay points out.

“You’re right.” His mom sighs.

The conversation picks back up. Everyone is laughing and having a good time. You would never know that a year ago, almost everyone at this table hated my guts.

“Shit, I forgot the pitcher of water. Anyone need anything?” Clay asks.

“Language,” his mom scolds.

“I’m good, man,” I tell him.

Everyone says they are good, and he leaves the room.

“Are you fucking serious right now?” Clay yells, making everyone tense. “Please tell me you’re joking, Cora.”

“Excuse us,” Grace says.

In unison, Grace and I push back our chairs and run into the kitchen. Seeing Cora cornered against the cabinets with tears running down her face and her phone clenched against her chest has me seeing red.

“Back off, Clay,” I demand as I slip between them.

Clay scoffs. “Did you know? Wait, of course you know. You probably encouraged her.”

“Kellan doesn’t make decisions for me, Clay,” Cora snaps.

“How about we all just calm down? I’m sure Cora has a reason for everything,” Grace says calmly.

“No, her reason is because she’s out of her fucking mind,” Clay sneers.

“Watch it, Clay,” I snap. “I won’t let you talk to her like that.”

“This is a family issue and is none of your business.”

“Yeah, it is a family issue, and considering I’m in love with your sister, that makes her my family, which in turn makes it my goddamn business. So again, don’t speak to her like that or we’re leaving,” I tell him bluntly.

Clay’s jaw clenches as he looks away.

I feel Cora come up behind me and touch my arm. “It’s okay.”

“No, no, it’s not,” I tell her.