by E. L. Todd
My dad flexed his arm. “I still got it.”
“Maybe flab,” I teased.
“Hey, I’m still a stud. I hit the gym every day with your Uncle Mike.”
“You should hit it harder,” I said.
My mom walked to Jasmine and immediately hugged her. “Welcome to our home, dear.”
Jasmine was caught off guard by the warmth my mother showed. “Thank you…”
My mom pulled away and smiled at her. “My name is Monnique.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Thompson.”
“That’s my mother-in-law’s name. Call me Monnique.”
“Okay.” Jasmine didn’t seem as nervous.
My sister came out, looking just like my mom. She had darker skin than I did, and her brown eyes were bright and dark at the same time. “I was hoping you’d get snowed in and wouldn’t be able to come.”
“I was hoping you slipped on some ice and were in the hospital,” I snapped.
She stuck her tongue out at me. “Jerk.”
“Brat.”
“Hey, enough of that,” my dad said. “It’s Thanksgiving.”
“Don’t remind me.” My sister rolled her eyes.
I turned to Jasmine. “This is my annoying sister, Clementine.”
Jasmine shook her hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Yeah…” Clementine dropped her hand quickly.
“Ignore her,” I said.
We walked inside and placed our bags in the doorway.
“I cleaned your old bedroom so you guys should be comfortable there,” my mom said.
“Thanks.” I grabbed our bags and carried them to the bedroom.
Jasmine came behind me. “They are going to let us sleep together?”
“Why wouldn’t they?” I asked.
“Well…isn’t that awkward?”
“They know we have sex.”
Her eyes widened. “You told them?”
I shrugged. “My parents aren’t stupid. They know I’m not a blushing virgin.”
Her cheeks reddened slightly.
“It’s nothing to be embarrassed about. My parents are cool. They lived together before they got married.”
“It’s still…awkward. I assumed your mother would be really anal because you brought me home for Thanksgiving.”
“Well, they know about our relationship.”
She sat on the bed. “What do you mean?”
“They know we aren’t serious. I told them you were my friend and I didn’t want you to be alone on Thanksgiving.”
“So…they think I don’t mean anything to you?”
“No, that’s not what I said. I just said you aren’t the girl I’m going to marry so they don’t need to freak out.”
She flinched at my words then her breathing changed. She blinked her eyes a few times before she stood up and headed to my door. “I need to use the restroom…” She walked out then disappeared down the hallway.
A second later, I realized my mistake. “Fuck.” I rubbed my temples while I sat on the bed. That was a stupid thing to say and I felt like an asshole. Could I be more insensitive? I made it clear this wouldn’t turn into anything, at least it was incredibly unlikely, but I didn’t have to blurt that on a holiday. I wanted to build a time machine just so I could redo those last few minutes. God, I was an idiot.
I stayed in my bedroom and gave her a minute to compose herself. I’d have to work hard to fix the mess I made. She knew the parameters of this relationship so my words shouldn’t be so shocking, but blurting it like that was still really stupid.
After I gave her enough time to recover, I walked to the bathroom down the hall and knocked lightly. “Jasmine?”
“I’m just freshening up. Give me a second.” Her voice was full of tears.
I rested my head against the door and sighed. “Please let me in.” I heard the sound of plates from the kitchen. My mom was finishing dinner and my dad was setting the table. I wanted to make this right before we sat down to eat.
“Leave me alone, Cayson.” Her voice was weak.
“Jasmine, come on. I’m not going to talk to you through a door.”
A few seconds later, she unlocked the door.
I went inside then shut it behind me. Her makeup was fixed and the tears were gone but I still saw redness in her eyes. They were moist, about to overflow with water.
I sat down on the lid of the toilet then pulled her into my lap, sitting her on me. She didn’t fight. “That was a stupid thing to say and I shouldn’t have said it. I’d take it back if I could.”
She rested her hands on my shoulders, gripping me.
“I’m sorry.” I cupped her cheek and directed her look on me. “I didn’t mean to be insensitive.”
“It’s okay. I’m overreacting anyway. I guess I just…” She trailed off.
“What, Jasmine?”
She rested her face against mine and closed her eyes. “Nothing.”
I moved my hands through her hair and held her close to me. Her breathing was decreasing and she was calming down. If I gave her a few moments of peace, she’d be back to normal in time for dinner. “You’re beautiful, Jasmine. Every time I look at you, I think it.”
She pressed her lips to mine and gave me a deep kiss. It was passionate and slow. The distinct taste of salt was on her tongue. My hand fisted her hair and gripped it tightly.
Then she pulled away, feeling better. “We should get out of here before anyone notices…”
“Yeah. I would hate to find an explanation of why we’re in here.”
She smirked. “Bathrooms turn us on.”
I laughed. “We have some weird fetishes.”
We left the bathroom and sat at the kitchen table. My mom laid out all the food before she sat down. Clementine sat across from me, wearing a red sweater and purple scarf. She was a pretty girl but with a dangerous attitude.
My dad poured wine for my mom and himself. “Jasmine, do you like wine?”
“I love it.”
He poured her a glass then put the bottle on the table.
“Thanks for offering me a glass.” I shot him a glare.
“Are you a girl?” he countered.
I rolled my eyes then poured my own wine.
Jasmine ate the potatoes off her plate. “These are really good, Mrs. Thom—I mean, Monnique.”
“Thank you, dear.” She smiled then cut into her chicken. A foot tapped me under the table and I realized my mom was trying to play footsies with my dad. Gross.
My dad turned to Jasmine. “Do you know Cayson from school?”
“Actually, I’m a waitress. He came in with his friends and that’s how we met.” She kept her elbows off the table and ate with grace.
“You’re a waitress?” Clementine said with disdain. “That’s it?”
I glared at her. “Knock it off or I’ll pour gasoline in your hair in the middle of the night.” Why was my sister being such a bitch?
My dad glared at me. “Don’t talk to your sister like that.”
“But she—”
He raised his hand. “I’ll handle her.”
I sighed then shut my mouth.
My dad turned to Clementine. “Don’t be rude to our guest. If you’re going to act this way, please leave. And I don’t mean the table. I mean the house.”
Damn…Dad laid down the law.
Clementine sipped her water then fell silent.
“Apologize to Jasmine,” my dad commanded.
Clementine ignored him.
“Apologize or grab your keys and leave.”
“Are you five years old?” I snapped. “Sometimes I can’t believe you’re an adult.”
“I’m sorry,” she blurted. “There.”
I sighed then turned to Jasmine. “I’m sorry about her. She’s normally not this bad.”
“It’s okay.” Jasmine acted like she wasn’t hurt.
“Anyway,” my father said. “What restaurant do you work at?”
“The sports bar near campus,” she said.
My mom nodded. “You must know a lot about sports.”
“Too much,” she said with a laugh. “But it’s nice having a common interest with Cayson.”
“We usually watch football together on Monday nights,” I said.
“Do you have a favorite team?” my dad asked.
“The Chargers,” she answered.
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t know why because they suck.”
“They’re the underdogs,” she argued. “Someone has to root for them.”
“That’s the dumbest reasoning I’ve ever heard,” I said with a laugh.
She shrugged. “Well, I like them.”
Clementine focused on her food and remained silent, not participating in the conversation.
“Do you have any hobbies?” my dad asked. “Skiing?”
“I want to go to cosmetology school,” she answered. “I like hair and nails.”
Clementine grinned but didn’t say anything.
“Very cool,” my mom said. “I like to do my own hair but I wouldn’t say I’m a professional at it.”
“I would,” my dad blurted. He tried to touch her foot under the table but only touched mine.
Gross.
“How’s school?” my dad asked.
“Good,” I said. “Nothing new to report.”
“I heard Skye got pneumonia and you took care of her.” My dad sipped his wine.
“Do you old people do anything else besides get together and gossip about us?” I asked.
He shook his head. “Actually, no.”
At least he was honest about it.
“That was really sweet of you,” Clementine said. “I’m sure Skye appreciated it.”
Okay…what the hell? It was the biggest mood swing I’ve ever seen.
My dad ignored her out of place comment. “Sean wasn’t too happy to be the last to know.”
“Well, he’s psycho.” I remembered the way he beat the shit out of Zack in front of a group of students.
My dad smirked. “He’s not normal, that’s for sure.”
“What’s going on with you guys?” I asked. “What do you do all day since Clementine and I don’t live here?”
My dad shrugged. “The same thing we did before you were born.”
Clementine and I both made a face.
My mom laughed. “We have sex like all other humans.”
“But it’s gross,” Clementine said. “You shouldn’t be allowed to do that.”
My dad smirked. “That would just make the sex hotter.”
Clementine and I made a face again.
“I’m sorry my parents are disgusting,” I said to Jasmine.
She laughed. “It’s okay. They’re cute.”
“No, they aren’t,” Clementine said firmly.
We finished dinner then Jasmine headed to the sink. “Let me help you with the dishes, Monnique.”
Clementine rolled her eyes. “That girl is trying way too hard.” She said it loudly and without shame.
I kicked her under the table. “Don’t be a bitch,” I hissed.
My dad kicked me. “Don’t call your sister that.”
I growled. “Then control her mouth.”
My dad sighed then leaned toward her. “Clementine, what is your problem?”
“Nothing.” She got up from the table then walked away.
“It would be nice if my own daughter offered to help,” my mom said loudly, making sure Clementine could hear.
I touched Jasmine on the shoulder. “I’ll be right back.”
“Okay.” She kept washing the dishes.
I walked into my sister’s room then grabbed her by the arm. “Why are you acting like a shithead?”
She twisted out of my grasp. “Because you brought a stupid tramp here.”
My sister was totally out of whack. She annoyed me all the time but she’d never been vicious and mean before. “She’s not stupid and she’s not a tramp.”
“I don’t like her. Why would you bring her here?”
“She doesn’t have a family for Thanksgiving. Can’t you be nice and just make her feel welcome?”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Are you stupid? I just told you why. I. Don’t. Like. Her.”
“Why? You don’t even know her.” I was having a hard time keeping my voice down.
“What happened to Skye?” She stared me down.
Ugh, I was sick of talking about the damn girl I couldn’t have. “What about her?”
“I thought you loved her?”
“I do but she doesn’t love me. This isn’t news. I need to move on and get on with my life.”
“So you pick up trash? I know she’s a rebound but you can do better than that.”
“She’s not trash! She’s a sweet girl.”
“And she’s a waitress? Why the hell would you be interested in someone like her?”
“Someone like her? What the hell is that supposed to mean? There’s nothing wrong with being a waitress. Mom doesn’t work. She stays home all day. Isn’t that worse?”
“Mom used to be a nurse and actually went to college.”
“And what the hell are you doing with your life?” I snapped. “Where’s your college degree?”
Her eyes narrowed. “I’m a violinist. I actually have grace and talent.”
“No, it sounds like all you are is a damn hypocrite.”
“It’s different. I’m not dating you.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“She’s not good enough for you. Cayson, you’re so smart, funny, generous, and handsome. You shouldn’t be with a loser.”
“First of all, did you just give me a compliment?”
She rolled her eyes.
“And secondly, she’s not a loser. You didn’t like her the moment she walked through that door and you haven’t even gotten to know her.”
“I don’t care. I don’t like her. I don’t want you to marry her.”
“Who said anything about marriage?”
“You wouldn’t have brought her here unless she was the one.” She stared me down.
I sighed. “Clementine, I only brought her here because she doesn’t have any family. She was going to spend the holiday all by herself in her small apartment. I invited her here as a friend. She and I are dating, but I certainly don’t love her and I doubt I ever will. She’s aware of all of this.”
My sister relaxed. “So, there’s still hope for you and Skye?”
Just forming the answer in my mind was painful. “She and I will never be together. She sees me as a friend and nothing more. I know you wanted us to be together. Shit, everyone did, but it’s not going to happen. I’m trying to move on and Jasmine is my first attempt. Please be nice to her. I may not love her and I don’t see a long-term future for us, but I care about her very much. “
My sister sighed. “Okay. I’ll try.”
“Thank you. But if I do move on and you treat the woman I love with anything but respect, I won’t hesitate to pour syrup in your hair and destroy it.”
She smirked. “Okay. That’s fair.”
“Please apologize to her—and actually mean it—and try to make her feel welcome.”
“Fine. I’ll do it for you.”
I smirked. “And thanks for all those flattering comments. I always knew you liked me.”
“Don’t let it go to your head.” She rolled her eyes.
Jasmine came to the door. “Sorry, am I interrupting?”
“No,” I said. “Come in.”
She stepped close to me then eyed Clementine with fear.
I stared at my sister, silently telling her to speak up.
“I’m sorry I was rude to you.” She said it with more conviction. “I’m just protective of my big brother. I only want the best for him.”
“I accept your apology,” Jasmine said. “And I’m glad you got your brother’s back.”
“To th
e end of time.”
I pulled Jasmine out of the room. “Movie time?”
“Sure.”
We sat on the couch with my parents. Clementine came in the room a second later, taking the recliner.
“Who wants to watch a chick flick?” My mom raised her hand.
Clementine raised hers and so did Jasmine.
My dad sighed. “Damn it.”
“Chick flick it is.” My mom smirked then picked out a movie.
I pulled Jasmine close to me, showing affection in front of my parents. I didn’t care if they saw and I didn’t care what they thought. Jasmine was hesitant at first but she eventually reciprocated.
While we snuggled on the couch, snow fell lightly outside. The fire burned in the hearth, keeping us warm. Fall and winter were my favorite seasons. There was something beautiful about the cold. The powder outside made wonderful parts for snowmen. The feel of warm soup in your stomach after shoveling the driveway made the chore more bearable. And spending time with my family during the holidays made me feel lucky.
But I couldn’t deny what was missing. I wished Skye were sitting on the couch with me, cuddled under a blanket. I would hold her hand and rub her knuckles with the pad of my thumb. When my parents went to sleep, I’d make love to her in my bed. Of course, Skye would resist but I wouldn’t care.
But that wasn’t real. And it would never be real.
Chapter Sixteen
Skye
I didn’t want to wake up the next morning. This was the worst Thanksgiving ever. It already hurt knowing Cayson had a girlfriend but knowing he actually brought her to meet his parents was just nauseating. She meant even more to him than I originally thought. I was so stupid for showing up at his doorstep about to confess the feeling in my heart. So stupid.
A knock sounded on my door. “Skye, are you alright?” It was my mom.
“I’m okay. Just getting a late start.”
“Breakfast is downstairs and it’s getting cold.”
“I’m not hungry.” I was never not hungry so that sent out an alarm.
“Honey, I’m coming in.” She cracked the door then came to my bedside.
I didn’t stir or move. The curtains in my room were still closed, blocking out all possible light.
My mom sat at the edge of my bed then stared at me. “Is something on your mind?”
I didn’t want to talk about Cayson. She was best friends with his father so I couldn’t trust her this time. “I guess I’m still under the weather from the pneumonia.” It was cruel to lie to my mom but I didn’t have an alternative.