Tonight, we’re doing a big pre-Christmas, Christmas, which the guys and I have done every year since we were kids. But this year, Cam’s joining us… and so is Ember. But since Cam will be there, PDA tonight is off the table. It also worked out that Maia already went home, so we didn’t have to choose between her in Cam. In a way, it feels like we’re children of divorce, except Cam has no idea we spent Thanksgiving with Maia.
“Considering the fact that you asked me thirty seconds ago, I’d say, good. Since nothing has changed.”
“He’s just nervous because hisgirlfriendwill be here tonight,” Jaxon mocks.
“I just want tonight to be perfect,” I argue. “It’s our first Christmas together; I don’t wanna screw it up.”
“Well, technically, Christmas isn’t for another three days,” Jaxon points out, and I chuck a roll at him.
“If dinner sucked tonight, I doubt it would affect your relationship,” Brinley says, tasting the mashed potatoes.
“Well, I don’t want to take that risk.”
She rolls her eyes and scoops another spoon of butter into the pan.
“Where are the rest of the guys?” I wonder. “We’re gonna be eating in less than an hour.”
“And they’ll be here,” Jaxon replies. “Just like your girlfriend and her oblivious brother.”
“Did you invite Alex?” I wonder, turning toward Brin.
“He had already booked his flight home when I asked him,” she replies. “He said maybe next year.”
I think through the list of people as I grab plates from the cupboard. There are nine of us… I think. Our table should fit nine, right? That’s how many people were here for Friendsgiving. Or was it more?
“Are you setting the table?” Jaxon wonders. “I don’t think you’ve ever set the table.”
“This year, I am.”
“Because it needs to be perfect?” Jaxon laughs, but I don’t think it’s very funny. There’s nothing wrong with wanting everything to go according to plan.
“I never thought you’d be this kind of boyfriend,” Brinley adds.
“What does that mean?”
“You’ve got it bad,” she continues, and Jaxon nods when I look at him.
“Can you just tell me if nine plates are enough?”
“I think it’s ten,” he says.
Ember, Cam, Jaxon, Brin, Tate, Fletcher, Brooks, Jeremy, Zeke, and me.
“It’s eleven,” Brin replies, covering the mashed potatoes to keep them warm. “You guys are useless.”
“I thought Alex wasn’t coming,” I respond.
“He’s not.”
“Oh, shit, is Maia coming?” I wonder. I thought she already went home, but maybe I heard Ember wrong. What a time to tell your ex you go to the same school as him.
“Yes, Ember invited Maia to dinner.” She shakes her head. “Because this is the perfect time for Ember to tell Cam that Maia transferred here. And an even better time to announce your relationship!”
“So, no, Maia?” I question.
“No,” she says. “You’re forgetting Liv.”
She’s right. I’m forgetting Liv. How did she know I was forgetting Liv?
