41
DEACON
Ican’t pinpoint exactly what’s off about Tanner as we leave my brother’s and drive to the Thayers’ for part two of our Thanksgiving extravaganza. He smiled and laughed and engaged—even held Salem while I helped Jude clean up.
To them he seemed normal, but something’s not right.
I just don’t know what it is.
“Tanner?” His name sounds like a plea as I find a place to park and kill the engine. Shadows move across the windows, and laughter and music spills from inside, but I can’t get in the mood—not when I know something is wrong.
“Hmm?”
“What’s going on?”
Emotion flashes in his wheat-colored eyes, disappearing almost as if it was never there. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t know. You just…” My words trail off as he frowns.
“Did I say something wrong at your brother’s?”
“No, it’s not that but I—” He cuts me off with a kiss, his hand cupping the side of my neck as he pushes his tongue into my mouth. Normally, I’d be half hard, but this doesn’t feel right either—like there’s more to it than just wanting to kiss me.
“I’m just tired and mentally preparing myself for the chaos inside.” He smiles but it doesn’t reach his eyes.
“But we’re all right?” I blurt out, my nerves getting the better of me as he presses a sweet kiss to my lips and sighs.
“Of course. Now let’s get in there before someone comes looking for us.” With a smile still in place, he gets out of the truck, the hair on the back of my neck standing on end because he didn’t wait for me to get his door.
I’m probably overreacting, but I just can’t shake this feeling.
“You made it!” Otto yells as the front door bangs open. Briggs ducks under his arm and races across the porch, barreling into Tanner and forcing him back a step with an audibleoof.
“Hey Buddy, how many sodas have you had?”
“Sodas don’t count on holidays,” Briggs replies, as Tanner glares at Otto who shrugs and wraps his arm around Briggs’s shoulders the moment he steps back.
“What? I don’t make the rules.” Otto looks around conspiratorially. “Just don’t tell your mom.”
“Great,” Tanner says wryly as he follows his son and Otto into the house. It’s exactly and nothing like I expected. The table is set, and unless I’m imagining it, the table looks bigger, like maybe they added another leaf to it. Serving dishes are set out on small tables around the perimeter of the room, and a chorus of greetings goes up as Tanner and I join the group.
Flora hugs us both and Vincent waves from across the room. I also see Otto’s twin brother, Case, and his wife, Hannah, in the kitchen. His oldest brother, Hank, and his wife, Isla, are nearby, wrangling their squirming kids. Waylon and his wife, Marlee, are in the living room with Sorren and his wife, Rhea. A group of small children runs giggling through the room, weaving between the adults before disappearing down the hall.
Fallon is talking to Cal and Blake, while two couples Flora and Vincent’s age talk in the corner.Wow.
“What kind of shirt are you gonna get him?” Case asks Otto as the first points a hand at me.
“Dunno. But it’s gonna have to be something good. Maybe like bonus, bonus dad. BBD.”
“Not to be confused with BDE,” Case says as his expression turns contemplative. “Although hedefinitelyhas BDE.”
“He totally does,” Otto agrees before offering Tanner his hand for a high five. “Good for you, man.”
“What’s BDE?” I whisper, my gaze bouncing between them.
“Big dick energy,” Otto says and Case winks.
“Totally a compliment.”
