by Randi Rigby
“Stop dawdling, Barbie!” Tony barked. “You’ve missed two workouts and it already shows. Nessa, I want her stats. You. Start jumping rope.”
I deserved Tony today.
When he finally got bored with trying to kill me off and released me, I dove for my phone. I had to keep wiping my sweaty hands and smeary screen on my sweaty shorts but I couldn’t take the time to shower and change. I was a horrible person.
I quickly sent Jack a text. I owe you SO many cookies! When and where? I’ll deliver.
His response was immediate and abrupt. Unnecessary.
Nonsense. You were a saint. ARE a saint. Please? I know how much you love freshly baked cookies still warm from the oven…
I’m out tonight.
Breakfast?
Might be awkward. Not sure how I’d explain that.
I blushed. Right. Of course. Sorry.
You and Drew kiss and make up?
Yes!
Thought so. Happy for you, Kel. Got to go.
Thank you for everything, Jack! Thank you again. And again. And again.
He didn’t respond.
Sunday night, Dad, Charlie, and I were waiting at the front door all cleanly dressed and pressed, ready with big smiles to greet the Caffreys—the McCoy Family Welcoming Committee. Mom trained us well. “Ava, Bella, this is my daughter, Kel,” Dad said as he ushered everyone inside.
“It’s so nice to meet you,” I said. Nice, but also weird. Charlie barked once to remind us he was there and then patiently sat down and expectantly waited. “This is Charlie. Don’t worry. He’s really friendly.”
“May I pet him?” Bella shyly asked, bending down to his level but looking up at me. She had Erin’s dark eyes and a flash of deep dimples in her rounded cheeks. Her soft curls were the color of milk chocolate. She hesitated to make sure he was okay, that we were okay with her in our space. I felt a rush of warmth toward her and realized, maybe for the first time, that I wasn’t the only one facing big changes here.
“He’d be crushed if you didn’t,” I told her, joining her on the floor and showing her where Charlie liked most to be scratched.
Ava proved much harder to win over. Any attempts I made at starting a conversation with her were met with a terse reply and an immediate return to her phone. The last time it was accompanied by a heavy sigh and rolling of eyes. She took her hair tie out and let her hair fall forward, effectively curtaining off her face from us. Obviously, I was annoying her. I was having Whitney flashbacks. I looked to Dad for guidance but he just shrugged. I could tell that he wanted me to keep trying but I wasn’t sure I was that masochistic.
Then Drew arrived, fresh from his shift at Strings, with that face and those blue eyes and it was like a switch flipped. Suddenly Ava was out of her phone. She was sitting up straight, smoothing her hair back behind her ear, and smiling. At him. But it was revelatory. She was actually quite pretty when she wasn’t scowling. “Boy, am I glad to see you,” I whispered in Drew’s ear as he leaned in to kiss me. “Ava hates me. Go, be charming.”
He was. At dinner I sat him next to Ava. I sat across from him and next to Bella. Dad and Erin were at either end of the table—one big, awkward, happy-ish family. Drew got her to open up. Through him we discovered she played tennis, hated the rain, wished there were more holidays, and thought licorice was disgusting. When it was apparent that dinner was winding down I casually said, “Drew’s a very talented musician. I bet if we ask him nicely he’d sing for us.”
Gran did this to him all the time. I knew he wouldn’t mind. “You singing with me, Chicago?” he asked with his half-grin, his blue eyes dancing.
I hesitated a beat, and in that space Ava rushed in. “I will.”
No one looked more surprised than Erin. “There you go,” I said, standing to start clearing the table. “Drew, you know where my guitar is. Let me know if you need anything else.” Bless you.
Dad placed two stools from the kitchen island out in front of the open space in the great room for their performance. While the rest of us cleaned up from dinner, Drew and Ava picked a song and went off by themselves to practice it quietly a few times. Dad and Erin were on the loveseat. Bella, Charlie and I were on the couch. Bella had Charlie gathered in her arms, her chin tucked between his ears and looking for all the world as if the two of them were the best of friends instead of newly made acquaintances.
Drew and Ava performed Taylor Swift’s Style and even nervous, Ava knew every word by heart—it was obviously one of those songs she’d sung endlessly into her hairbrush at the top of her lungs. Drew harmonized beautifully and it covered the few times she wasn’t quite on key.
“Did you record us?” Ava breathlessly asked me when the clapping had ended and we were all gathered around congratulating them.
“I did. I thought you might want a copy.”
My first smile. “I do. Thanks, Kel.”
We ended the night as we began, at the front door, this time to wave good-bye.
“I don’t know what we would’ve done if you hadn’t shown up,” I told Drew, leaning back against his solid chest.
He wrapped his arms loosely around my waist. “Ava? She seemed nice enough.”
“Oh, she was. To you. I was getting nowhere, fast.”
“Erin says Ava’s had a hard time with the divorce,” Dad sighed. “We might have to bear the brunt of it for a while.”
“How long’s a while?” I asked him skeptically.
“Eventually she’ll go away to college,” Dad shrugged, closing the door. The tail lights from Erin’s Rover were no longer visible. “Until then, Drew, don’t go anywhere.”
Thanksgiving day I got up early enough to squeeze in a ten-mile run. I had two turkey dinners to plow through and there was no way I was skimping on pie. If you were a McCoy, the holiday actually started with an early breakfast at Pops and Gran’s. Along with the usual suspects, my cousin Ben was home from New York and Jake was back from M.I.T. and he’d brought Rachel—apparently long-distance was working out just fine for them.
“Looking good, Squirt,” Jake said, giving me a bear hug. “Nice to see you again, Drew.”
“Hey Rachel,” Landry said walking into the front hall, hugging her. Then he slapped his little brother on the back. “Eat quick you two. Everyone else is done and we’re about to start picking teams.”
“Who put Q and Noah in charge this year?” Sam appeared in the doorway, looking sulky.
“I did,” Gran replied crisply, wiping her hands on her apron. Her tone brooked no argument. She didn’t raise four rowdy boys for nothing. “Jake and Rachel, come and eat some breakfast while it’s still hot. Catch me up on what you’ve been up to.”
Q and Noah had us all divided up by the time Jake and Rachel made their way out to the backyard, hand in hand. Thanks to Cade and Landry’s coaching we were pretty evenly matched. “We’ve got Rachel,” Cade said, tossing the football in his hands. “And the ball to start. May the best team—mine—win.”
Probably not a shocker, given the McCoys hailed from Texas, but we were a family that took our football very seriously and to make matters worse we were fiercely competitive and mostly athletic—the perfect recipe for several bruised bodies and an occasional trip to the ER. It was glorious fun. We played for ages.
“Next touchdown wins,” Uncle Bryce said, panting, his hands on his knees. “Shae just gave me the signal we’re needed in the kitchen.”
We had the ball. Landry nodded and gathered us into a huddle. “Let’s end this. I’m going long to Uncle Lucas. Justin and Kel be ready in case he’s not open. Everyone else stay at home and block. On three. Team!”
Jake snapped it back to Landry and Dad, Justin, and I tore down the field. Drew was matching me stride for stride. Trey was covering Justin and Uncle Nick was on Dad. No one was on Jake so he started running. Landry saw he was open and threw a hard spiral right to him and Jake tucked it in and moved faster than I’d ever seen him move. Which now meant we were blocking for him.
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“Sorry, Kel,” Drew said and he shifted to the left as Jake ran by us. Drew put on a burst of speed and lunged for Jake but he was off center. I threw my body on him and took him out.
“Me too,” I said when I landed heavily on top of him. Jake scored.
“Where did you learn how to do that?” Drew said laughing breathlessly, his hands in my hair.
“She’s a McCoy,” Landry beamed proudly, helping us both up. “It’s in the blood.”
“Next year you ladies need to trim your nails first,” Trey said, holding up his left arm and showing us the angry red streak just above his elbow. We were bunched together outside the bathroom in the hall, waiting for our turn to wash up.
Cade shook his head. “That was Ben. He got me twice.”
The front doorbell rang as we were comparing battle scars. We all leaned to the left so we could see who it is. The Caffreys were being welcomed in by Pops and Gran and Dad. Gran was sweetly explaining the house rule about no cell phones and showing Ava her wicker basket already filled with ours. Ava looked horrified. You’d think she’d been told she had to cough up a kidney. Erin and Bella cheerfully add theirs into the pile. Ava clung stubbornly to hers until Erin whispered something in her ear. When she did let go, it wasn’t willingly. She stormed by us on her way to the back porch and outside where there were considerably less McCoys to irritate her.
“Wow,” Sam said, stepping out and nudging me with his shoulder. We’d all glued our backs to the hall walls to let Ava through. “Is she always like that?”
“I’ve only met her once,” I replied. “But unless you’re Drew, yes.”
The guys all turned and stared at Drew. “What?” He shrugged. “She likes me.”
“I bet,” Landry grinned. “That’s not at all awkward.”
Bella found Charlie right away. Or maybe he found her, which meant she was an immediate magnet for Noah, Brody, and Hal. On his own, Charlie was naturally a little more wary of their sticky fingers. Obviously, he was trusting in her to save him from any abuse. I scooped Hal up and placed him on my knee so there was room for me to sit down on the step next to her. “You doing okay with this lot?”
“Yes,” she replied softly. “Your family is very tall.”
“And loud. We can be kind of overwhelming. Stay out of the fray as long as you want. I need to go peel potatoes.”
“Do you need any help?”
“No. You and Charlie—and Noah,” I winked at him. “Are keeping the littles occupied.” I kissed Hal on his very kissable round cheek and plopped him back down beside Bella. “That’s huge.”
Dinner was noisy and laughter filled, except for our table. Ava was still sulking about her phone and beyond the occasional smile in Drew’s direction, refused to respond to our overtures. Bella was so obviously happiest when she wasn’t being engaged that we eventually stopped torturing her by trying to bring her into the conversation.
“I never see you at the ACC anymore,” Rachel said gathering a forkful of Gran’s amazing stuffing.
“No time,” I sighed.
“Well, you’re obviously doing something right. You look incredibly fit.”
“Thanks. I’m still running.”
“And she’s working out with a personal trainer,” Drew added. “Tony Ardestrani—Kel hates him.”
“How did the launch for the new addition go?” I asked.
“Great. You should come check it out. You’re plastered all over the front entrance.”
“She’s not kidding.” Jake made a face. “She took me by on the way here. It’s oddly disconcerting to see yourself looming that large. I had no idea my legs were so hairy.”
“I told you to wax,” I grinned.
“You should stop by and see it for yourself. We’ve added seven more walls. You know you have free access for life. It’s not like they won’t recognize you at the door,” Rachel smiled.
“Do you know what? I haven’t climbed in ages and I really miss it. What do you think, Drew? Could we fit it in tomorrow morning?” I asked.
“My first game isn’t until 3:00,” Drew nodded. “Coach wants us there at 2:00.” He looked apologetic as he took a sip of water. “Holiday basketball tournament.”
“You don’t do Black Friday?” Rachel said, grinning at me.
“Yeah, no. But I’d love to spend some time with you guys. It’s been too long. You’re coming too, right Jake?”
“You mean, instead of getting in the way of my mother’s Christmas decorating? Yeah. I’m in.”
And because I must like banging my head against a brick wall, I tried once more. “Ava, Bella, you want to join us? It’s really easy and a lot of fun.”
Judging from her immediate and visceral recoil there was nothing Ava would like less. “Are you serious? No!” Jake blinked in surprise at Ava’s vehemence and Rachel stared uncomfortably at her plate. Ava was unrepentant until she noticed Drew’s frown. With a flushed face she finally added, “But thanks for asking.”
To our relief, the doorbell rang. Jake pushed his chair back as he stood and tossed his linen napkin on the table next to his plate. He was closest to the door. “I’ve got it, Gran.” Moments later he reappeared with Jack, of all people, dressed in a sports jacket and tie, already apologizing as he walked into the kitchen.
“Sorry to interrupt your Thanksgiving, Mr. and Mrs. McCoy. I promise I’ll be quick.”
“Nonsense. Please, come in, Jack. We’re about to eat dessert,” Gran insisted. Dad was ready to fetch another chair. “Won’t you join us?”
“Thank you, but I can’t stay. My family is expecting me. I just need to steal Kel for a moment, if I may?”
I was already on my feet but I couldn’t read his face. I hoped nothing was wrong. “Of course. We can talk in here.” I indicated the direction of the living room with a wave of my hand. “Excuse us please, everyone.”
Jack pushed a hand through his hair—his other hand was on his trim waist. He got right to the point. “Kirstie’s been trying frantically to reach you all morning. Apparently she doesn’t know about your grandmother’s no cell phone rule.”
“So she made you come track me down? On Thanksgiving?”
“Not a big deal. She called asking if I might know where you were. I was heading over to see my parents. This is kind of on the way. Not the point, Kel. Go get your phone.”
He followed me back into the front entryway. “How was your date the other day?” I asked, looking at him over my shoulder.
“It wasn’t a date.”
“Okay. How was your evening out?” I gently turned Gran’s wicker basket on its side and emptied its contents onto the sideboard table. We were one of the first to arrive. My phone was at the very bottom.
“She didn’t kick if that’s what you’re asking.”
I blushed. Jack was in a foul mood. Obviously he and Ava could be besties tonight. I had seven missed calls and three voice messages from Kirstie. And she texted me twice. I called her back. She picked up on the first ring. “Kel? Finally. I’ve been trying to get a hold of you all day.”
“Sorry. That’s what Jack said. What’s up?”
“You need to be on a plane in a couple of hours. Your casting for Bentha’s came through. They want you in Milan for their show this weekend.”
Milan? As in Italy? I stared numbly at my reflection in Gran’s antique oval mirror. Still me. How was this my life? Kirstie hadn’t stopped talking. “I’m sending Jack with you. It’s your first international job. I think it will be good for your vlog.”
“Wait, what?”
“You two make a great team.” Even though I couldn’t see her I knew Kirstie was beaming. It was in the sing-song quality of her voice. “Let’s get some serious mileage out of this on your socials.”
She told me she was sending me the details and we ended the call. Jack’s hazel eyes were hooded and distant as we both stared at my phone. “I’m sorry, Jack.”
“For what?”
“You probably had pl
ans.”
“So did you. But this is our job.” He sighed and straightened his tie. “I’ve got to go. I promised my mom I’d eat turkey with them before I left—she’s been baking for days. I’ll see myself out. Pick you up at your place in an hour?”
I nodded. I’m going to Italy.
Might as well announce it to the whole room. They were all staring expectantly at me, waiting. For once there was quiet. “I am…I’m going to Italy. Like right now. I’ve got to go pack.” Drew nodded and put his napkin down.
Sam was the first to break the silence. “Psh. She’ll do anything to get out of doing the dishes.”
“Kel, I can’t,” Aunt Shae started to say, looking stricken and suddenly overwhelmed. She had a huge charity event she was in charge of tomorrow night. Drew and I had tickets to attend after his last game. He even borrowed Landry’s tux.
“I know. Don’t worry about it. Jack is going with me.” I kissed Dad on the cheek. “You stay. Drew will take me home. Pops, Gran, thanks for the amazing dinner. Love you all. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Ciao!”
“Play something for me while I pack?” I asked Drew as I flicked on the light to my bedroom and headed straight for my closet. “Please? This is all a bit surreal. I’m feeling a little frazzled.”
He picked up my guitar. “Got your passport?”
“I do now.” I smiled at him and extracted it from my desk drawer on my way to the bed, suitcase in hand. “Thank you.”
He joined me, moving his knee to make room for my open case as he leaned back against the pillows and began strumming. “I guess this is your life now, Chicago.”
“It’s part of my life.” I was getting pretty good at packing for quick trips. I’d streamlined the essentials and had gotten in the habit of keeping everything I needed for a fast getaway clean and accessible. Italy was throwing me a bit but I stuck with my strategy of layers. Until Drew started to pick out the opening chords to, “When You Say Nothing at All.”