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“Thanks, Mom. She’s only six weeks along, that’s why we wanted to get married by New Year’s. Amy doesn’t want to have a big belly for her wedding dress,” Hunter explains as he hugs his mom.
“Congratulations, Son,” Oli says but he looks green.
Then his sister comes up to him and hugs him but as she hugs him, she is mouthing to her mom, “Holy shit, Amy is a bitch.”
From there it feels like a gray cloud has taken residence over the table as we continue on with saying what everyone is grateful for. Sloane says she is grateful for her family. Oli says something along those lines too. Then we get to Skylar and Liam.
Skylar goes first. “I’m grateful to have Liam in my life again. I’m also grateful we are moving into our new home and Crew’s adoption came through,” she declares and then she begins to tear. “Sorry, I’m so emotional.” She laughs. “I’m also grateful to Patty and the whole Sanders family because my life wouldn’t be so great if it weren’t for all of you.”
After that emotional confession there is a lot of hugging going on. When Liam stands to say what he’s thankful for, I feel a pang of jealousy as he says he’s grateful to be Crew’s father, and he’s grateful to have Skylar in his life. He also ends with. “I’m grateful that Coach invited me over last Christmas because it was the first step in bringing Skylar and me together, and I’m grateful for all the support the Sanders family has given us since,” he ends with.
Whoa.
That’s a tough act to follow. Little Crew goes next, and he says he is thankful to have a dad, and I feel his words in the center of my chest because my dad was never a dad.
Patty stands next and thanks her parents for being so wonderful and her brother for being so supportive. Then she looks at me and thanks me for my friendship. Her words once again feel like an arrow piercing my chest right at the point of my heart.
When it’s my turn I choose to sit. “Thank you, Coach Sanders and Mrs. Sanders, for including me in this lovely meal, and thank you Patty, for offering me your friendship. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.”
I smile awkwardly.
Where is that champagne? I could use it now.
I notice Quinn eye Patty with wide eyes, but the look is so brief I begin to wonder if I imagined it and maybe she just had something in her eye.
The food is served and everything is delicious. Patty smiles to me and we make small talk. Everything feels fine, and yet it doesn’t sit well with me at all.
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
Patty
There is a small break between our main meal and dessert. Aunt Sloane has followed Mom into the kitchen, and Evan is chatting with Liam on the couch in the main room so I slip into the kitchen. I need space from his intoxicating scent. Shit! Why does he have to look so good? Aunt Sloane is pacing as Mom tries to calm her down. Uncle Oli follows me into the kitchen.
“This is going to be fine,” he assures Sloane. “He loves Amy. They are young but they will find their way,” he comforts, rubbing her back.
“I agree with Oli,” Mom cuts in. “You have to accept the situation for what it is. You don’t want to risk losing Hunter over this. He looks like he’s in love and he’s expecting a baby,” Mom soothes and then she starts to tear too. “I can’t believe you’re going to be a grandpa,” she says to Oli. The two of them are super close. Not just because they are twins but because their parents died when they were young, and Oli took care of Mom through a tough time. It’s also why I am so close with my aunt and uncle and my cousins. We’ve always been close.
“This is going to be okay,” I say. “Hunter is a good kid, and he wants to do right.”
“He’s such a good boy,” Sloane affirms as her tears streak her face. “My baby is going to be a daddy.”
“I was just talking with Hunter, and he wants a big wedding. He says he only plans on getting married once. He wants to make it count,” Oli announces.
“Okay, so we plan a big wedding,” Sloane says. “We can do this.” She swipes at her tears.
“Okay, everyone, wipe those tears away and put on your smiles. We don’t want to make Hunter feel bad. He needs to know his family is supporting him,” Mom states.
“You’re right,” Aunt Sloane agrees, and she walks over to the kitchen sink to wash her face.
When she returns, she has mascara streaked down her cheeks. “Do I look okay?”
Mom gives her a sad smile. “You look like a scary clown.”
“Shit,” Aunt Sloane curses. She and Mom were best friends before she and Uncle Oli got together.
Mom looks over at me. “Honey, can you go to my room and get Aunt Sloane an eye makeup remover wipe and some fresh mascara?”
“On it.” I nod.
