Liam
“Well, duh. Of course you’re going to spend Thanksgiving at my parents’ house with me.” I give Jude a chiding glance across the patrol car. “You think I’m going to let you sit home alone? With no turkey or even worsepie?”
Jude stares at me like I’ve suggested he jump off a cliff. “Liam, I can’t crash your family’s Thanksgiving.”
“You’re not crashing anything. I’m inviting you.”
“Your parents don’t even know me.”
“They know about you. I talk about you all the time.” I realize how that sounds and quickly add, “they like hearing about work stuff.”
He shakes his head, eyes fixed on the snowy road ahead. “It’s a family holiday. I’d be intruding.”
“My mom always makes enough food to feed the entire mountain. Trust me, one more person isn’t going to be a problem.” I slow the SUV as we pass the elementary school. A crossing guard waves and I wave back. “Jack will be there, and some friends of my parents from the pack. It’s not a small intimate thing.”
“Kara’s going to love this,” he mutters.
“Kara doesn’t decide who my parents invite into their home.”
He gives me a flat look. “Did you actually ask your parents, or are you just assuming they’ll be fine with it?”
“It was my mom’s idea,” I say. “She’s excited to meet you.” That’s not an exaggeration. When I mentioned Jude had no family and would be spending Thanksgiving alone, Mom practically ordered me to bring him. She’d sounded personally offended by the idea of someone eating a frozen dinner on Thanksgiving.
Jude is quiet for a while, chewing on the inside of his cheek. “I wouldn’t know what to bring.”
“You don’t have to bring anything. Just show up.”
“I can’t show up empty-handed to someone’s home on Thanksgiving. That’s rude. Even I know that.”
“Fine. Bring a bottle of wine. Both my parents love red.”
He exhales through his nose. “This is a bad idea.”
“No, it’s a fantastic idea. You’ll eat good food, meet some nice people, and have a real holiday. What’s wrong with that?”
Something flickers across his face and he turns to the window. “Holidays mean nothing to me.”
“I know.” I sigh. “But they should.”
“Says who?”
“Says me.” I grip the wheel, trying to think of what to say. He can be obstinate and if I push him too hard, I get the opposite result of what I want. I have to approach him in a way that tugs at his heartstrings. “I’m not exaggerating when I say my mom will worry about you if you don’t come. That’s just how she is. I wouldn’t be surprised if she drove food over to you if you say you’re not coming.”
He looks at me with wide, startled eyes. “She wouldn’t do that, would she?”
“She might.” I laugh.
He groans and leans his head back against the seat. “God, Liam, why did you have to tell her I’d be alone? I’d have been fine. Now, if I don’t come, it’s like this big thing.”
Guilt twinges through me at the anxiety in his voice. My intention wasn’t to stress him out. I just wanted him to feel accepted and not to be alone on Thanksgiving. But if it’s going to ruin his day, I need to back off.
“No,” I say quietly. “If youreallydon’t want to go, I’ll get you out of it, Jude.”
He squints at me. “But you said your mom will come over with food if I don’t show.”
“She won’t if I explain that’ll make you feel even worse.”
He rubs his hands on his thighs. “It’s not that I’m opposed to a delicious meal or anything, and it’s very kind of your parents’ to invite me. I just feel weird forcing my way into your family’s holiday. Maybe if I’d met them at least once I wouldn’t feel so awkward about it.” He frowns. “Plus, I know Kara is going to loathe me being there.”
