“They paid for Naomi’s housing when she was in school.” Fletcher taps the steering wheel. “Doesn’t it make sense they’d still be paying for yours?”
“Naomi was going to school for something they actually deem worthy.” I drop my foot to the floor, adjusting the air so it’s full blast on both our legs and faces, hoping it’ll dry the nail polish faster.
“I think they’re missing out. You’re really talented, T.”
“I know.” I grin.
“Is Naomi at least gonna be around for Thanksgiving?” he asks. “You know my parents are always open to more guests. The more the merrier.”
“No, she’s spending the holiday working and with her fiancé’s family at their condo in Manhattan.”
“Wait.” He turns to me as we come to a stop at the red light off the highway. “Your sister’s engaged? Since when?”
“Beats me.” I shrug. “Another piece of information I found out when my dad called me to tell me they wouldn’t be home this week.”
“Fuck, Tate. I can’t believe it wasn’t even her who told you. Is it still that dude from her firm? The really loaded one?”
He makes a left turn and then a right at the next light. I’ve been home several times since I left for school, but more often than not, it was to visit Fletcher’s house. Then I’d just sleep in my old bedroomand see my parents whenever they were around, so this won’t feel too different.
“Same guy. Or at least I think it is. I know they celebrated their sixth anniversary not long before Christmas last year. It was the first time I met the guy. I haven’t seen him since.”
“Your family is so weird.” He parks his car in my driveway since his own driveway is filled to the brim with cars, some of which even spill out onto the street. “I know your sister is like twelve years older than you, but I see my siblings at least six times a year, and our gap is—”
“My family isn’t like yours, Fletch. I spent more time with your siblings than I did with my own sister. That’s just how things were in our house.”
“Well,” he turns off the car and turns toward me, “even though you won’t be spending Thanksgiving with your parents, I know a house full of people who are excited they get to spend it with you.”
He gives me a quick wink and then gets out of the car, grabs our bags from the trunk, and then opens my door.
“Ready?”
“For your family?” My eyes narrow. “Always.”
twelve
Fletcher
Tate, sweetheart,” my mom wraps her arms around Tate as I drop our bags by the front door, “I’m so happy you're home.”
She steps back, grabbing Tate’s face between her hands, taking her in.
“Thanks, Mom, happy to see you too.” I roll my eyes, causing her to laugh, before hugging me.
“I see you all the time. I only see my sweet Tatum when she comes home for the holidays. Which isn’t nearly enough.”
“Tate also has FaceTime, so you could video chat with her every day, just like you do with me.”
“I might just do that.” My mom pats my cheek and then points toward the kitchen. “Your mama is in the kitchen. Could you go help her?”
“Of course.”
I give Tate a small smile and then head into the kitchen, which is barely visible through the crowd of people. I didn’t expect everyone to be here already. I assumed my older siblings would come out tomorrow morning, but I guess with the snow, they thought it was better to be safe than sorry.
“There he is!” I hear my mama’s voice before I see her, thanks to the kids running around. They don’t seem to care that I’m here. They’re probably all running to find Tate. They like her more than they like me. “I was worried the snow was going to be too bad and you guys weren’t going to make it.”
“It’s not that bad yet.” She pulls me in for a hug. “And we wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
“Since the basement is being redone, we had to change up the sleeping arrangements. I hope that’s okay.”
