Page 35 of Going All In

Other than Addison, who is taking another piece of turkey. I think she might be my favorite Anderson, but it’s stiff competition. Every so often, she looks up at Cam, who’s directly across from her, and I can’t quite read her expression. Is there history there?

Our Thanksgivings were never like this when I was growing up.

It was Christmas that was always the main event. Mom would make a small turkey, and the three of us would eat it without much fanfare. We haven’t even done that since she died. Why would two people need a whole turkey?

Chris and Josie are gazing at one another in adoration. Dad is making eyes at Judy. Addie has her head thrown back in laughter at something Maddox said, and he’s elbowing Cam.

As I take it all in, I think the secret isn’t butter at all. I think it might be love.

* * *

I reach for the white china. “I can do that, Judy.”

Addison was right; Judy doesn’t like to accept help in the kitchen. It seems like she’s slightly more willing to accept help with the cleanup than with the cooking, although that’s not saying much. So far, she’s let me carry in plates from the dining room and stack them on the counter and has let me put the silverware in the dishwasher.

She shakes her head. “Oh no, I have it, dear. Why don’t you go see what everyone is up to? We have a bunch of board games that we like to pull out after Thanksgiving dinner.”

This is enough to pique my interest. I do love board games.

“Are you sure I can’t help?” I say slowly.

Judy smiles as she loads another delicate plate into the dishwasher, angling it in a particular way that I wouldn’t have figured out. “I appreciate it, Holly. I’m just picky with how I load the dishes. You’ll have more fun with the kids, anyway.”

I ask one more time to make sure she doesn’t want my help, then leave the kitchen when she shoos me away. I follow the voices to the family room. They’ve set up a card table in the center, and my dad, Maddox, and Josie are playing a card game.

“Holly! Good, we need another person. Are you up for Code Names?” My dad puts his cards down on the table. He’s the one who fostered my love of games from a young age—board games, card games, you name it—and he loves nothing more than trouncing me in whatever game we’re playing. I think I get my competitive spirit from him.

A smile plays on my lips. “I don’t want to interrupt. What are you playing?”

“War,” Josie responds, holding up her stack. “I’m winning, but this game takes forever. Now that we have four players, I’m good with switching to Code Names if you are, Maddox.” These are the first words she’s really spoken to me, but at least she’s okay with me joining the game. Maddox was right; she really is a tough nut to crack.

Maddox doesn’t object, and ten minutes later we’re set up with a fresh drink in front of each of us and the Code Names cards set out.

Josie taps a finger on her chin. “Let’s see. I think we should split up Holly and her dad to be fair. Should we do boys against girls?”

I’m about to cast my vote in favor of that when Maddox opens his big mouth. “I want to be on Holly’s team.”

I whirl around to look at him, shooting bullets with my eyes.

Maddox shrugs. “What? You seem like you’d be good at this kind of game.”

He’s not wrong. I’m really good at Code Names, but you need a good partner for this.

Josie has already settled into her chair across from my father, solidifying herself as his partner, so it’s too late. This still gives me a chance to beat my dad, though, so I’ll take it.

The premise behind Code Names is that you’re spies, and you have to get your partner to guess as many of your code words as possible by giving them a one-word clue. It works well if you know your partner, so they understand where your mind would go for a given word. I’ve always had better luck with another girl as my partner when I’m not paired with my dad, since girls think differently than boys.

I study the game cards that are laid out. I’m going to give the clues first, so Maddox will have to figure out what I’m thinking.

We’re totally going to lose.

* * *

“Rain. Four.” I hope Maddox gets my use ofrainas a homophone, likerainandreign,because him getting all the words right hinges on it.

He strokes the hair on his chiseled jaw, his dark eyes taking in the cards laid out on the table. He leans back and takes a sip of his beer, then sets it on the table before pointing to cards one after the other. “Cloud. Weather. Umbrella.” He pauses, and I worry he’s going to end his turn.

We’re on round five, with two wins each. This is crunch time.Don’t fuck this up, Maddox.

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