Bishop and I spoke at the same time, both leaning forward.
“Dad, I don’t think there’s room?—”
“Naw, really, it’s fine?—”
My father held up his hand, silencing us both. “There’s plenty of room on that loveseat next to you, Lennox. You just need to scoot your ass over.”
Josie and Lincoln grabbed a blanket off the back of the couch and cuddled beneath it. I heard their fit of giggles, holding up my middle finger when Dad turned around to push Bishop toward me.
Josie mouthed, “Sorry,” and ducked beneath the covers as I sent popcorn flying her way. I looked toward Cleo, silently pleading for her to switch seats so Bishop could sit next to Lincoln, but she shook her head.
Traitors, the lot of them.
“You’re all going to hell,” I hissed through my teeth. “See if I ever do anything for you again.”
Cleo leaned over and patted my hand. “Don’t worry, you will.”
I leaned back, crossing my arms. I hated when she was right. It was the principle of the matter, anyway.
“You want one of these?” Bishop asked, holding up a blanket.
I held out my hand. “Give it here.”
“How ‘bout asking nicely?”
“You’re right. I shouldn’t ask the elderly for help,” I said, brushing past him to get my own. There was no way I was sharing with him. “You need a boy scout to come help you get across the living room?”
“I’m not fuckin’ elderly,” he muttered, groaning as he took a seat. I stood there, trying my hardest not to laugh when he rubbed his knees.
“Yeah, you’re the picture of youth. Tell me, how are your joints?”
“Fuck off.”
“You first,” I said, taking my seat. I curled up in the blanket, trying to distance myself as much as possible. “This ismyhouse.”
“And Itriedto leave,” he whispered harshly, taking me aback. I was used to him giving sass, but there was an edge of anger in his tone that took me by surprise. “But here I am. So, we’re gonna sit here and watch this movie like two fucking adults and deal with it.”
“Fine,” I shot back. “You stay on your side, and I’ll stay on mine.”
“Gladly.”
I could feel my sister’s eyes on me, watching closely for any hint as to what Bishop and I were discussing, but I didn’t dare turn their way. Sometimes, I felt terrible for keeping secrets from my sisters, but then I remembered they’d both done the same to me.
Suddenly, I didn’t feel so bad anymore. I’d sworn an oath to take that night with Bishop to the grave, and I damn well intended to keep it.
bishop
. . .
“What crawledup your ass last night?” Lincoln asked, tossing the grocery bag in the back seat of his truck.
“What do you mean?” I asked, following suit.
The two of us had gotten up at the ass crack of dawn to head into town. Doug and Ruby had given us a mile-long list of things to pick up before the party began. We were almost done, thank God. I didn’t have the patience to grocery shop, even on the best day, so I usually ordered them and picked them up.
Saved me a shit ton of money, too, since I’m not going in on an empty stomach and buying everything in sight.
“With Lennox last night. I don’t know, man. It seemed kind of tense.”
