Page 164 of End Game

Her hand moves beneath the table. Micah glances down, and his mouth softens slightly before he looks at her.

She’s grounding herself against him.

Good.

That means I can focus elsewhere without wondering if I’m neglecting her.

“Is anyone else coming?” Cami asks gently after Mom starts pouring coffee.

My mother hesitates just long enough that my stomach tightens.

“Mike took the kids to his parents’ this morning,” Margot answers first. “They’ll meet me back here later.”

“Sarah and Theo are coming for dinner,” Mom adds.

Cami nods.

I set my coffee mug down. “And Ben?”

Dad’s eyes move to me.

Mom’s shoulders lower. “He’ll be here tonight, too.”

There is nothing surprising about the answer. I already knew he was going to be here.

It still pisses me off.

I look around the table again, taking in Mom, Dad, Margot, then Cami, and Micah.

“You’re having the actual family Christmas dinner tonight.”

Mom nods carefully. “Yes.”

“And this is our Christmas.”

“Ronan—”

“No, I’m just clarifying.”

Margot leans back in her chair, apparently deciding to stay out of it for now.

My mother sets the coffee pot down. “I didn’t know what else to do.”

I believe her. That’s part of what makes this more difficult.

“I said Cami and I would not attend family events where Ben was present,” I remind her. “I didn’t say we wanted to be separated from the rest of the family.”

“You aren’t being separated.”

My jaw tightens.

Dad speaks before I can respond. “Son, your mother is trying to make sure she gets to see all of her children for Christmas.”

“I understand what she’s trying to do.”

Mom’s eyes are already starting to shine with tears.

I hate that.