Then Kiki starts laughing, and Uncle Jase snaps, “What the fuck is wrong with all of you?”
And then, well, we all laugh, because what else are you going to do?
* * *
“You really didn’t have to come with me,” I tell Dad because, yeah, I really didn’t want him to be here at fucking all.
“Some dads hunt with their boys on Thanksgiving mornings.” He chuckles. “Others go get fancy coffee from a shack.”
I pull up and hear her voice. “Welcome to The Bean. What can I get for you this morning?”
I start to respond when Dad leans over and says, “Gonna have to go with seventeen of the pumpkin spice variety the boys got here last night. Apparently, they were lit.”
Lit? Jesus, Dad, no one says lit anymore, I think.
“Um, did you just say seventeen?”
“Sure did, doll,” he replies and, again, I want to die. “Treinta size them bad boys.”
“Sir, could you repeat your order, please?”
Before he has a chance, I do. “Sixteen large pumpkin spice; the stronger, the better. And one decaffeinated.”
“Oh, shit, Kiki’s gotta lay off the caffeine. Good call. Thanks for clearing that up, little dude.” Dad snickers. “Cream on all of them. It’s a holiday.”
“Oh my God, are you for real?” she huffs.
Dad looks at me like what the fuck and starts laughing.
“Seriously, isn’t there someone else you can torment today?” she snaps.
“Doll, are you for real?” Dad laughs.
“Dad, Jesus, let it be,” I scold him then turn and look at the screen. “That will be all.”
I hear an intake of breath, and then she clears her throat and says, “That’s ninety-eight fifty-two at the next window.”
I turn and look at Dad, trying to figure out a way to ask him to just dial it down a fucking million, but he’s messing with my radio.
“Jesus, Tricks, this is all off.”
Let’s hope he keeps trying to fix my radio.
I pull up to the window, and my phone rings.
“It’s Brand,” Dad says. “Talk some sense into his ass. And probably shouldn’t mention I’m in the vehicle. He’s hatin’ on me these days.” He hits the button on my steering wheel to accept.
“Happy Thanksgiving, Brandon.”
The window slides open, and she’s glaring at me again.
“The fuck it is,” he grumbles.
“I’m actually picking up coffee right now,” I say as Dad tries to hand me his black card and I push it back, not wanting Savvy to see that shit, because all of a sudden “privileged” seems worse than a four-letter word to me.
“Great. When will you be back at the rental?”
“Ninety-eight fifty-two,” Savvy says, annoyance evident in her voice.
“I’ll call you back,” I tell him as I reach in my pocket to pull out some cash.
“Give me an invite and save the call.”
“You’re always welcome,” I tell him, handing her the money.
“You sure your dad will feel that way?”
Dad smirks.
“I’m sure. Chat later.” I start to hit the end call button.
Brand barks out, “What time?”
“One for dinner, but whenever, we’ll be there.”
“When?”
“B, I’m grabbing coffee then heading back. Won’t be long.”
“It would be quicker if you’d take this,” Savvy says, handing me one of those cardboard carriers with four cups in it.
“Is someone with you?” Brand asks.
“Yeah.”
“Nice. You could have given me a damn heads-up,” he snaps.
“B, chill. You’re good. See you later.”
“Yeah, whatever.” He hangs up.
“Hey, doll,” Dad says, leaning over and looking out the window.
“Fuck,” I mouth, knowing damn well that “doll” is probably going to be taken just about as well as “babe” was last night.
She looks at him, completely devoid of emotion.
“When you get famous, don’t let it go to your head. Nobody likes an asshole.”
I look at her and about die when I see a smirk, which produces a dimple. Then, in the blink of an eye, it’s gone.
“Thanks for the advice.” She slides another carrier out, and I grab it.
“Thank you.” I hand her the cash.
“I’ll have the rest out to you in just a couple minutes.” She turns around and walks to the counter.
“I like her rasp.”
“Yeah?” I ask.
His phone rings, and he grumbles, “The fuck,” then hits accept. “You’ve reached Xavier Steel, and it’s fucking Thanksgiving. Grab yourself some pumpkin spice coffee, turn on some football, and enjoy your day. That’s what I’m doing. Catch you on Monday. Leave a message after the beep. X, out.”
He holds the phone out to hang up the phone when I hear Mom question, “X out?”
He laughs. “Sorry, Irish.”
“What if that was my parents?”
“Then they would have hung up and called you.” He laughs. “What can I do for you, babe?”
Savvy clears her throat right before he starts laughing again.
I take the tray. “Thanks.”
She rolls her eyes and mumbles, “Mmmhmm.” Then she turns back around to get some more.
“Mom wants to know if they have pumpkin muffins.” He holds the phone away from his ear as she cusses him out while he laughs.
“The rest of your order,” Savvy says with no sort of inflection in her voice.
I take the tray and hand it to Dad, who sets it on the floor, and then Savvy hands me a lone cup.
“Decaf.”
“Appreciated.” I take it from her.
“You stuck in there all day?” Dad asks.
“Just till noon,” she answers.
“Big plans?” he asks.
She nods. “Huge.”
“Nice.” He grabs two cups from the carriers, hands me one, and then holds his up. “Cheers, doll.”
I look at her and am about to mouth sorry when she holds up a mug. “Cheers, big dude.”
Laughing, Dad tips his cup up then takes a sip. “Fuck, this is amazing.” He licks the cream from his lip. “What’s the secret to the cream?”
“Dad! Really?” I gasp.
“Chill, little dude,” Savvy says, and I whip around to look at her. Her dimple disappears. “I attempted to make it taste like cream cheese.”
“Doll, you fucking nailed it.” Dad takes another drink. “Can’t wait to see what you can do at Christmastime.”
“Awesome. Have a great day, dudes.” She tries to hand me my change, but I ignore her, knowing damn well she’s
