“Ninth, thank you very much.”
“Fletcher.” Naomi stops in front of me and then pulls me in for a hug. My eyes meet Tate's, and she just holds her hands up. Her way of saying she has no idea what’s gotten into her sister. “It’s been too long.”
“Yeah. How’s Manhattan?”
“It’s great, actually. We really love it there.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“Hey man, I’m Ethan.” Ethan extends his hand, and I shake it.
“I think you’ve met him, sweetie. Or maybe not. It’s been a while since Ethan has come here with me for a holiday.”
“Well, either way, it’s nice to see you. I take it those are your parents?”
“They are.” Ethan shuts the door behind him. “And not to sound mean or anything, but from what Naomi’s mom said yesterday, I was sure we were going to walk into a world of chaos.”
“Huh.” I glance at Tate. “I guess we’re a little more well-mannered on holidays. Please make yourself comfortable; appetizers are available in the kitchen. Chase and Stella are in there too, so you’ll have some people your age to chat with.”
“Perfect. Thank you, Fletcher.”
As they disappear into the kitchen, Tate walks over to me.
“I remember your sister being meaner.” I cross my arms. “That was weird.”
“I don’t know what’s gotten into her. I don’t know if it’s because Ethan’s parents are normal, and she wants to make sure she doesn’t show them a different side of herself, or what.”
“Also, your mom warned them about my family?! We aren’t animals. Our house isn’t pure chaos.”
“I don’t know. I tried to block out most of yesterday. Do you know I’m sleeping in the basement?”
“Why not in your room?”
“Naomi and Ethan are in my room.”
My eyebrows knit together. “Why aren’t they in her room?”
“Let’s just say her room is now the guest room, the old guest room is now my mom’s office, and I’m banished to the basement.”
“Sorry, T.”
“And get this, I was all for it. I was like, maybe this will be perfect because I can kind of seclude myself from everything, you know, work on my music and just relax. I went down to the basement last night, and it’s not even a pull-out couch. It’s one of those sectionals that you can rearrange or whatever, but they had to send back some pieces because they came in broken, and they’re on back order.”
“Okay?”
“So, try being five-foot-nine and sleeping on a sectional that’s only three pieces long. And one of those pieces is the corner. It’s the smallest L-shaped couch I’ve ever seen.”
“You know you’re always welcome here.”
“I think my mom would kill me if I decided to stay here. Also, I kind of hate that there’s no running around. Your house feels too much like mine right now.”
“You take that back right now,” I whisper, following Tate into the kitchen.
Things seem to be going okay. Everyone is chatting. Ethan’s parents are talking to mine as they finish getting the food into theoven. Tate’s dad is chatting with Chase and Ethan while Naomi chats with Stella.
Tate’s mom just stands awkwardly at the end of the island. I guess she’s not used to a house this full or having casual conversations. It’s hard to hang out with people and make friends when your whole life revolves around work.
Once she sees Tate, she lifts a finger and motions for Tate to come over.
