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“Kendra, you know our door is always open to everyone,” Mom says, turns, and goes back inside.How am I going to deal with mister ‘you don’t break up with me.I break up with you’?
Especially now that Xander is here, and we have been flirting back and forth for months.
I think for another moment, finishing my Tea, “it’ll be fine.You’re right mom Thanksgiving is for all, and I am thankful for you.”I say out loud for no one to hear.
Besides, I think to myself.Maybe this will light a fire under Xander to finally make a move.How can I use this to my advantage?I take another moment before returning, and when I do, I have a beer for Xander and a full Tea in hand for myself.
“Hi, Brian.Have you met Xander?”I ask, sitting between the two men at the table.Brian leans in to kiss my cheek.I pull back, dismissing him.Xander moves his chair closer and places his arm over my shoulder.
Hmm...jealousy is a bitch.
“Yes, a professor.Your Professor and boss?”Brian asks, sitting back in his chair, annoyed and glaring toward me as if he has any claim on me.
“And neighbor,” I add with a smile and sip my Twisted Tea.I think I’m going to need something stronger.As if my sister, Nicki, read my mind, she places shots of Fireball in front of us.Dani walks over, grabs one, and yells, “Mom, get in here.”
Mom comes running, grabs one of the shot glasses from the table, looks around to us all, and holds it up, “Happy Thanksgiving, may we gobble ‘til we wobble.”
Dani, Nicki, and I raise our glasses and, in sync, yell, “gobble, gobble, gobble!”and down the shots.DJ comes galloping through the room, mimicking us, gobble, gobble, gobble, and disappears into the other room.
“Dinner is served,” Dad brings the turkey tray and places it on the rack.Everything is perfect until Brian bluntly suggests he and I go for a walk alone afterward.
“Look here, Brian,” I lean in closer so only he can hear.“You eat my mother’s home cooking, say thank you, and then leave.You may have been invited, but you are not welcome, as far as I am concerned.”I pull back, put my plate on the table and walk into the kitchen.
Xander walks through the doorway and out to the deck, and I follow.
“Hey, everything okay?”I ask, opening the cooler for him.
“No, I should go,” he says.
“Why?”I wonder, grabbing another drink for myself.“We're going to head over to Dani’s for drinks and games.”
He turns, looks through the window, then back at me.
“Is Brian going?”his eyes narrow, with aggravation shining through his eyes.Is he irritated and jealous?
“Xander, we’ve been over for a long time, and I won't go back.If I break it off with someone, it’s over.I do not repeat my mistakes.”I pull my sweater closed as the cold air attacks my exposed skin.
Looking more relieved, he asks, “Drinks and games?”I shake my head.He steps closer and places his hands on my arms, rubbing up and down, trying to help keep me warm.
“Adult drinks and games,” I confirm with a wink, turn on my heel and go back into the house.
“Mom, are you sure you don’t want help cleaning up?”I ask, placing the tin on the kitchen counter.“No, no.DJ is already asleep on Pop Pop’s lap.You kids, go have fun!”She pulls the tin lids from the pantry and begins to cover the leftovers.
Nicki wheels the cooler through the back door, and Diesel isn’t far behind with two full bags of liquor bottles.Brian steps into the kitchen and clears his throat, looking from Xander to me, and then focusing on my mother.
He thanks her for dinner, refuses a pre-made take-home tin, tucks his hands in his pockets, and walks out with his head down.Bye, Brian.
Dani kisses DJ on the forehead, say goodnight, and takes Jacob’s hand to walk out the front door.
