Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 132464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 530(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 530(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
“Oh, is this the boy from Las Vegas you were telling me about?” Mom asks.
“Yeah,” I say. “But he’s not from Las Vegas, Mom—he’s actually from Seattle, though he lives in L.A. now.”
“Wasn’t that guy supposed to come to dinner tonight?” Colby asks.
“Oh, that’s right,” Mom says. “I forgot about that. Why didn’t he come?”
“Something unexpectedly came up at work and he had to fly home to L.A.” Heat flashes into my cheeks at my lie. “He told me to tell Colby ‘Happy Birthday’ and that he’s sorry to miss the party. He was especially sorry to miss out on your spaghetti, Mom—I told him it’s legendary.”
Mom smiles.
“Don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll meet Josh one of these days soon,” I say breezily, smiling at Mom, even though my stomach is turning over. Considering he’s gonna be the father of your grandchild.
“Damn,” Dax says. “I was looking forward to seeing if J.W. Faraday is as pretty as his picture.” Dax addresses the group. “I saw a photo of this guy the other day and he’s even prettier than Ry, if you can believe it.”
Keane scoffs. “Pfft. Nobody out-pretties our Pretty Boy.”
“Fuck you, Peen,” Ryan says. “I keep telling you: I’m not pretty, I’m ‘ruggedly handsome.’”
“Language,” Mom says. “Good lord, guys. You’re a bunch of sailors. Where did I go wrong? And don’t call Keane that name. It’s disgusting.”
“Sorry, Mom,” Ryan says. He addresses Keane again. “Eff you, Peenelope Cruz. How’s that, Mom?”
Dad belly laughs and Mom shoots him a scolding look.
“It’s funny,” Dad says sheepishly, still laughing.
“Well, I’m sorry Josh couldn’t make it this time,” Mom says, peeling her scolding eyes off Dad. “Please tell him he’s always welcome here. I’ll make my ‘legendary’ spaghetti for him whenever he’s able to come.”
“Thanks, I’ll tell him.” Right after I tell him I’m pregnant with your grandchild.
My eyes drift aimlessly around the table and finally land squarely on Colby’s ruggedly handsome face. He’s staring right at me with flickering eyes, looking at me like he can see right through me—and the moment our eyes connect, my cheeks burst into flames.
“Sorry Josh couldn’t make it tonight,” Colby says evenly. “I know you were excited to introduce him.”
“Oh, it’s okay,” I manage to say, tears pricking my eyes. “Maybe another time.”
Colby holds my gaze for a long beat until finally shifting his attention to Dax.
“This cake is great, Dax,” Colby says. He rests one of his muscled forearms on the table. “Thanks for making it.”
“Actually, I was hoping the cake would put you in such a great mood, you’d let me borrow your truck tomorrow? I gotta haul some gear.”
Colby chuckles. “Sure. But only for a couple hours. I’ve got stuff to do tomorrow.”
“Thanks, bro.”
“And thanks for the spaghetti, Mom,” Colby says. “It was fantastic, as always.”
“You’re welcome, honey. I made extra sauce so you can take some home with you and put it in your freezer. The birthday boy always gets extras.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Can I have extras, too, Mom?” Keane says. “I’ve been living on Taco Bell.”
Mom laughs. “Yes, I made extras for you, too, Keaney—and also for Kitty Kat. It’s in the fridge with your names on it.”
“What about me?” Ryan says. “You’re not gonna give extras to your favorite kid?”
“You got extras last time,” Mom says. “I’ll make extras for you and Daxy next time. And, by the way, you’re all my favorite kid.”
“Keane got extras last time,” Dax says. “He shouldn’t get ’em this time.”
“Hey, that’s right,” Ryan says. “And the time before that, too. Why does Keane always get extras?”
Mom grabs Keane’s hand. “Because Keane always needs them.”
We all roll our eyes and Keane shoots us a “fuck you” look. “Thank you for understanding that, dearest mother,” Keane says, flashing a mega-watt smile. “You’re an exceptional caregiver to us all.”
We all roll our eyes again, even Dad.
Mom has obviously caught wind of all the eye-rolls going on around her. “Stop it, guys,” she says. “I know Keane’s a brown-noser—I’m not an idiot.”
Everyone bursts out laughing, even Keane.
“But it doesn’t matter. The boy needs extras. He can’t even boil water.”
“And who’s fault is that?” Dax says. “Whatever happened to personal responsibility?”
“You’re an enabler, Mom,” Ryan says. “Plain and simple.”
“Don’t listen to ’em, Mom. You’re doing great,” Keane says.
Mom squeezes Keane’s hand again. “Look, I’ll be the first to admit I parent each of you guys differently. For each and every one of you, I’m the mother you specifically need.” She looks at Keane adoringly. “And when it comes to extras, Keane needs them.”
The table erupts.
“Enough,” Mom says firmly. “No arguing about extras, guys.”
We all grumble quietly for another long moment, especially Ryan.
“Hey, Ry, you can have my extras,” I say. “I don’t need ’em.”
“Nah, it’s okay,” Ryan says. “I’ll happily steal extras from Peenelope Cruz with a clear conscience, but I won’t steal ’em from Spunky Brewster. I’ll wait my turn.”