Page 105 of The Singles Club

Brock set down the plates, and I followed after, setting the knives, forks, and spoons correctly.

“So, how you likin’ us country folk so far?” Brock exaggerated his accent.

“A little disappointed,” I joked. “I was expecting lots of beer and cow tipping.”

“Ha! You have a sense of humor.” Brock pointed at me. “I think we’re going to get on just fine.”

Justin carried in a large metal tray, and he and his dad put the roast on a platter and started carving it while we helped bring out the side dishes. I imagined this was what normal family gatherings or Thanksgiving holidays were supposed to be like. Ours were short-lived at my father’s place, and I would barely eat since Benny and I would have to meet our mother at an Asian fusion place for dinner.

I hated the holidays… but somehow, I felt I could enjoy them more here.

* * *

Throughout dinner, all of them joked and laughed and reminisced about when they were younger. I listened a lot more than I spoke. I did feel a bit like an outsider, but not to the point I was uncomfortable. I liked hearing about Justin. How he was as a boy and a teenager. Aside from his Harry Potter obsession and his days in chorus, he tended to get himself into trouble at school, but according to Gwen, it was Brock who put him up to all those pranks.

Brock held up his hands in defense. “Hey, the kid didn’t know how to back out of a challenge. I had to take advantage.”

I grabbed my wine. “What’s the best prank you guys pulled off?”

They both looked at each other and said in unison, “Our senior prank.”

Gwen held a hand over her eyes, shaking her head. “You’re lucky you both didn’t get expelled.”

“It was brilliant.” Brock grinned.

“What did you do?” I asked.

Justin sipped his beer. “We had a friend whose dad owned a small farm, so we, ah, brought half the farm to the school.”

“Two pigs, three chickens, a cow, and a goat.” Brock full out belly-laughed. “I still remember the look on old Cartman’s face when the cow walked by the classroom, letting out a big ol’ moooooo.”

“And Principal Myers trying to chase down a chicken,” Justin added.

“But nothing tops the goat butting his head square in Myer’s ass once he caught it,” Brock said.

Justin was laughing so hard tears were starting to form around the corners of his eyes. We were all laughing at this point.

“Thank goodness none of the animals were hurt,” Gwen added.

“Oh, this is great,” I said. “Now I have blackmail ammo on Justin if I ever need it.”

Justin slipped a hand on my thigh and leaned closer, his eyes playful. “Don’t think you’re getting off that easy. I’ll get the goods on you once I meet your parents.”

My face suddenly felt hot after I realized what that insinuated. Justin quickly took his hand from my thigh and reached for his beer. Brock had a smirk on his lips as he raised his eyebrows toward Justin. When I looked over at his parents, his father watched us curiously, and Gwen frowned. I wasn’t sure whether it was because she didn’t like the idea of Justin and me together… or maybe she felt insulted that we were keeping it from her.

Chuck was the first to break through the awkward silence. “Who wants dessert?”

“I smelled blueberry pie when I walked in.” Brock slapped at his belly. “I’ve been looking forward to that all night.”

I let out a breath once everything started to go back to normal, and we all pitched in to help clean up. Justin reached for my plate and placed it on top of his. Leaning towards me, he said quietly, “I’m sorry. I got caught up in the moment.”

“It’s okay.” I grabbed the half-eaten tray of macaroni and headed to the kitchen before the others saw us alone together.

* * *

Justin

Vivian was quiet through the dessert. My mother kept looking our way, scrutinizing every move we made, no doubt searching for confirmation that Vivian and I were a hell of a lot more than friends. During our coffee, Caden started crying, and Carmen got up. “Little guy is probably hungry.”