“Exactly. Actually, they were born the same day, too.”
“No way!”
I watch on in silence, my mind drifting back to my own brothers. This is my first Thanksgiving without them, and I miss them so much. Winter break’s long enough for a full ten days back home, though, I remind myself.
“I’m hungry!” Don calls out.
Adam walks in with the first dish. I stand up to help bring the rest. By the time the table’s overflowing with food, I have no idea where to start—everything looks amazing.
“Hand me your plate?” Lane smiles.
I pass it over, smiling back at him. Ever since my birthdayshowdown, he’s been back to the Lane I know and have come to love hanging out with. In fact, he’s even nicer now—he hasn’t called me Heartbreak again. Not once.
“I think Adam set aside some greens for you. They should be somewhere…”
Is he kidding me? I quit the diet a while ago now, and though I still walk everywhere and never miss Ethan’s class, I never want to see a raw vegetable again.
I sweep the table with my hand. “Load it up, stack it high.”
“Looooois!” Lewis shakes his corn bread at me.
“What?”
“As the newest member of the A-team, you get to say grace.”
I can see Lane covering his laugh with a napkin, and I shoot him a confused look.
“Umm, I don’t know how to—”
“Just thank the Lord for what we’re about to receive.” Lewis grins. “It’s easy, repeat after me:Thank you, Lord Lewis, for the amazing personality and hotness you bestow on the world.Now you try!”
The others are laughing. Adam nods at me encouragingly.
“Thank you—”
“Great start! Carry on.”
“Th-thank you for inviting me,” I stammer, feeling my cheeks flush.
“Notwhat I said.”
“Shut up, Lewis!” Carter whacks him with his corncob. “You’re making her feel awkward. And anyway, if anyone here is getting thanked, it’s Adam, you dumbass.”
“Hey! FYI,Ipeeled the apples for the pie.”
They keep bickering, which gets me off the hook for my awkward speech.
At long—long—last, it’s time to tuck in. The conversation ebbs and flows, and soon enough I’m settling into the swing of it all. The food is incredible, and the jokes bouncing back and forth betweenDon and Lewis have me in stitches. It turns out Adam is more of an extrovert than I’d guessed.
“So, Lois.” Don wipes his mouth. “Who has the best car: me or Lane?”
Considering the look on his face, I’m guessing this question is super important—but sadly for him, I’m clueless when it comes to anything with wheels.
“Pass,” I offer.
“Forget it, dude,” Lewis mumbles through a mouthful. “Lane’s got that big block engine—that’s some serious horsepower, I’m telling you. You’re not even in the race with your cute littlePlymouth.”
None of what he just said makes sense, though it sounds kind of kinky. Don sighs and pours himself another drink as the others laugh.
