But then there was a thump under the table, and Zoey jerked to her feet, slamming her hands down, her eyes on her sister, who quickly mirrored her movements.
Abby looked to be on the verge of tears as she begged, “Don’t do it, Zoey.”
Eliana’s eyes jumped between them, concern rising to the forefront as they all stared, watching as the girls had some form of nonverbal standoff in the middle of dinner. She glanced at Jesse and was surprised at the sudden pallor of his face as his eyes jumped between them as well. Maybe he was feeling ill? She shook her head, turning back to the girls. She’d known better than to walk away when she’d heard them arguing. She should’ve taken the time to stop and help mediate.
“Abby, Zoey, how about we step out of the room and talk?—?”
“Why not?” Zoey snapped, ignoring Eliana, her eyes still locked on Abby.
“It’sThanksgiving.”
“Guys?” Eliana tried again, though it didn’t seem they even registered the word. “Hey!” She raised her tone, finally snagging their attention. Zoey’s eyes met hers, dark and angry, but when she turned to Abby, she found the girl’s attention diverted down to the floor, wringing her hands anxiously. “What’s going on?”
“Ask Dad,” Zoey snapped as Abby moaned, falling back into her seat. “He’s the one with the girlfriend.”
30
DESERVED
Everyone seated at that table could’ve heard the echo of a pin hitting the ground in the wake of Zoey’s announcement. Any remaining blood drained swiftly from Jesse’s face as he sat stock still in his chair, awaiting the room’s reaction.
“Zoey–” Eliana paused, trying to make sense of the announcement and what it meant. She took a slow breath and then rose to her feet, holding her daughter’s eyes. “Explain.”
“Abby told me about Dad’s girlfriend and I?—“
“She was never—“ Jesse began.
“Pipe down, boy,” Bill barked before smiling kindly at Zoey. “Please continue, sweetheart.”
“I saw Dad kissing Bea,” Abby interrupted instead, her words coming fast. “Weeks ago. I didn’t say anything because I thought you knew. Iswear.” Her eyes rose, and Eliana flinched at the pain she found nestled in those brilliant green irises. The pain she’d been trying so hard to avoid. To protect her from. All of it in vain. “I thought that was why you were fighting.”
“I haven’t seen them fighting,” Zoey mumbled.
“I’msorry,” Abby said, her words growing more and more frantic as she rambled. “I should’ve told you, Ithought you knew. But then she showed up yesterday, and they were talking, and then I talked to Dad, and I realized that youdidn’tknow, and I panicked, so I told Zoey, and you know how Zoey is, but I tried–”
“Abby, honey,” Eliana moved around the table, pulling the girl into a hug. “Ididknow. I promise. You were never keeping any secrets from me.”
“But Dad said he didn’t tell you.”
“Did he now?” Eliana asked through gritted teeth, raising her eyes to the man at the end of the table, who looked for all the world to be on the verge of passing out. She tore her gaze away, focusing back upon the daughter who needed her.
“Listen,” she began, running a hand over Abby’s hair. “It was never meant to be your responsibility to handle this. It was between me and him. And I’m so, so sorry that you had to bear that burden. That goes for you, too, Zoey,” Eliana said, glancing across the table at the girl who suddenly looked more like a child than she had in years.
Eliana beckoned her over until they both stood before her, staring back with eyes full of fear and guilt. Looking to her for guidance on what came next – how one handles such a situation.
It was everything she’d planned to prevent.
It was something she’d never thought to prepare for.
And it was all too much.
She pulled them close, pressing a kiss to each of their foreheads. “We’re going to talk more, I promise. But right now, I need to talk to your dad and figure some things out, okay? But this isnot your fault, do you understand?”
They both nodded.
“Clem,” Eliana said, feeling at a loss. “I need?—”
“I got it,” Clem said, swooping in and snagging the girls’ plates off the table. “Talking makes for a strong appetite,” she said as she ushered them towards the master bedroom at the end of the hall.
