Amber’s mother gave James a look.
“What? I said butt.”
Sadie just shook her head. “Go in there and watch with the guys.”
“Fine.” She filled her plate and went to sit next to Amber’s dad. They immediately started arguing about players.
I filled my own plate and took one of the winter ciders from the orchard with me.
It had been so long since I’d actually been able to relax that my body immediately melted into their couch. Amber came back and forth between sitting with me and talking and helping her mother in the kitchen.
I watched the game and imagined that this might be my future.
A family again.
My chest tightened with the hope of it.
When Amber sat close enough for me to tuck her under my arm, I actually dozed off. The next time I came around, the scents of turkey and gravy had replaced the appetizers.
The turkey was on the kitchen island resting as the rest of the food was being set out on a warming pad.
Embarrassed, I got up to help.
“Hey, sleeping beauty.” James linked her arm through mine and instead of following me to the kitchen she steered me past the fireplace.
“I was going to help.”
“We’re gonna have a little chat first.”
“Okay.”
She pushed me in another room and suddenly I was surrounded by instruments. She closed the door.
“What are you doing?”
“I wanted a word without prying ears.”
“It’s a farmhouse. There’re ears everywhere.”
“Not from this room, pal. It’s soundproofed.” She stabbed me in the chest. “First of all, you are one fine specimen of male.”
Suddenly even more uncomfortable, I held my hands out in front of me. “Uh, I’m with Amber. I don’t—I’m, not?—”
“Relax, I’m not coming onto you. I mean, good to know that you’re saying no. That’s a point in your favor for this little chat. But that segues nicely into the next thing. If you cheat on her, I’m going to find you and rip that probably impressive dick right off your body and bury it in a city you’ve never heard of.”
My eyebrows shot up. “I wouldn’t ever do that.”
“Yeah, you’re male. Your dick is indiscriminate.”
“Not mine.”
“Good. Keep it that way. Next, she’s gonna fuck things up with you.”
I frowned. “Why?”
“She’s just going to. She’s had a lot of people either use her or let her down, so if she starts pushing you away push back.”
I crossed my arms. “Okay.”
