1:19p.m-Offer still stands … Doll.
I immediately regret it, but whatever. She belongs somewhere, too.
I shove my phone in my pocket and try to forget what I just did.
Fat chance, jackass, I think to myself.
I look up as Kiki stands and hugs Bella. “Congratulations.”
“You, too,” Bella says with a sad smile.
Brand breaks his silence. “Just so I get this straight … Bella and Katy are both pregnant?”
Shit.
“We are.” Bella smiles.
“So, you and Carter are having a kid together.”
“B,” I whisper in warning.
He ignores me and asks, “And Katy?”
“Is pregnant,” she answers for herself.
His jaw tenses, and he begins to nod.
She glares at him, and I wish I had told her that he has the hots for her, instead of trying to stay the fuck out of it. And I’m two seconds from telling him to cut the shit and not push her—hell, we don’t even know who the baby’s father is. All we know is, when she’s ready to tell us, she will.
Then she says, “We’re all family here, except you, but somehow, you’re here, so listen up. I had no idea. Had a busy summer. Shit happens. So, it’s me and myself who are having a baby.”
“You left out I.” He stabs himself in the chest with a finger.
“Fine, it was a threesome.” She shrugs and rolls her eyes. “Me, myself, and I are having a baby.”
Holy fucking shit, I think as I look at Uncle Jase, trying to remember how good an arm he has, so when he launches the bottle sitting in front of him, I can move if needs be.
“Jesus,” Max mutters.
“How far along are you, Bella?” he asks.
“Second trimester.” She smiles.
“So you got pregnant around—”
“You see my kid sitting here?” Carter interrupts him.
Brand nods once.
“As my wife said, she’s about to enter her second trimester.”
Dad clears his throat. “Max, you’re up.”
“Yeah.” Max chuckles. “I’m thankful for Kiki and Truth getting booted out of school so now we can go to Seashore and live where the ocean meets the sand.”
“Same, man.” Amias laughs nervously. “About time we—”
“Katy got kicked out of school?” Brand interrupts them.
I run my hand through my hair and look at Mom, who shakes her head, telling me to stay out of it.
Truth answers, “The nuns were having a bad week. Kind of my fault.”
Brand’s jaw tightens, and he does that angry nodding again.
“You need to chill the fuck out, Brand, or I’m gonna drag your ass out of here,” I warn him.
“You have something to share that you’re thankful for, Brandon?” Jase asks, clearly having had enough of his shit.
“Lot more I’m not thankful for at the moment, so I’ll take a pass.”
“Xavier just told me you’re doing a European tour starting after the holidays. Ten cities, was it, X?” Jase says through his teeth.
Brand doesn’t even look at him; he’s staring at Kiki.
Jase continues, “Just thought of something you should be thankful for, Brandon.”
Brand tears his eyes from her and looks at Jase. “What’s that?”
“Luna.”
“Jase,” Carly whispers softly.
Brand looks at Luna. “I’m thankful for you, I guess.”
Luna grins. “Thanks.”
I kick him pretty fucking hard and whisper, “One more bullshit stunt, and I’m dragging you out of here, Brand. Just shut the fuck up and eat.”
And all goes quiet.
Seventeen Thanksgivings, and I am one hundred percent sure none were ever this quiet.
Dinner isn’t even over when Bekah, Tara, and Mom bring out pie.
“Who wants pumpkin?” Aunt Tara asks.
“Tricks is heavy into pumpkin these days,” Dad says.
“Nice, Dad,” I hiss at him.
“You okay, Katherine Anne?” Bekah asks, and I look away from Dad and toward Kiki.
“I’m fine, thanks.”
“You sure? Because this is Momma Joe’s cannoli pie recipe. Brisa, Tris, and I made it especially for you, because it’s your favorite. We’d love for you to try it out.”
“Okay. Thanks. I appreciate it,” Kiki says, but she looks like she might hurl.
“I’d love a slice of that pie, Mrs. Steel,” Brand says, and rather loudly.
This is un-fucking-believable, I think to myself.
“Me, too.” Luna grins at Brand.
“You want a brother or sister?” Brand asks Luna.
“You watch it, Falcon. This is family,” I again warn the fucker.
“Um …” She looks at Bella, who smiles at her and nods, then back at Brand. “I want a sister. Do you have one?”
“Nope, two brothers,” he answers.
“I want a brother, too, but first a sister.”
“Katy, what are you hoping for?” Brand asks, his voice softer now, thank God.
“A quick delivery.”
“Most women would answer a healthy baby,” he says disgustedly.
“Walk,” I say, and he glares at me.
Then Kiki says, rather loudly, “It’s delicious.”
Shit, she’s trying to piss him off.
I nudge Brand. “Come on, man.”
“I’m good here,” he hisses.
“Fuck you are.” I stand up. “My uncle looks like he’s gonna explode.”
“Don’t give a damn.”
“You will.” Dad drops his napkin and stands. “Let’s go.”
“Not until—”
“Now,” Dad hisses.
“I wanna talk to—”
He stops when I yank him up and walk him toward the door, whispering, “Shut the fuck up. You will later.”
“You need to stay the hell out of this, Patrick,” Dad scolds me.
“Not like I’m not already balls deep right in the fucking—”
“Mouth,” Mom says from behind me and Dad, who are basically boxing Brand in.
She walks in front of us and grabs his hand. “Let’s go.”
“I’m not River James,” he hisses at Dad. “I don’t need a—”
“Then quit while you’re ahead,” Mom interrupts.
Once out on the deck, I start pointing a finger in his face. “That was bullshit.”
“I’m out.” He turns and heads toward the stairs.
“You can’t drive. I got your keys,” Xavier calls after him.
“Headed to the guest house,” he slurs.
“The what?” I ask.
“Yeah, bought that, too.”
“The fuck did he just say?” I ask Dad.
“I think the three of us need to chat,” Mom says, nodding toward the stairs. “Let’s take a walk.”
* * *
I may have promised Mom and Dad that I would leave him alone, but Crew is Crew.
Not that Kiki confirmed Brand is the father of her kid, but after putting two and two together, we are ninety-nine percent sure. After Kiki agreed to talk
