Page 19 of Embody

I avoid directeyecontactwithBellamy, but my eyes can’t avoid the rest of her. I’m only human and she’s wearing “too tiny not to notice” shorts and a tank top that barely holds in her tits. Guess a damn snowsuit or one of those moo-moo dresses must be too much to ask for.

I don’t look at my baby sister either. I’m ashamed that I actually issued an ultimatum on her innocent happiness to pursue my lecherous own.

And I don’t have to be told to help carry the rest of the food to the table, a welcomed distraction, then thank Helen, my dad’s housekeeper since before he even met my mom, now our cook only. Mom refused to let another person, especially a woman, nanny her children or clean her house, but even she couldn’t resist keeping Helen’s cooking around.

“Lunch and dinner are covered in the fridge, heating directions written on them.” Helen puts away her apron and grabs her purse. “See you tomorrow.”

Everyone thanks her and takes a seat.

My father speaks first from the head of the table. “Did you kids have fun last night? Brynny, were you pleased with your party?”

“Yes, very. Thank you,” she smiles at him, “both,” she gives my mom a smile too.

“You’re welcome, sweetheart. We’re so proud of you,” my mom beams. “Bellamy, what’d you think? I know we can be a little much, especially all at once, but I do hope you enjoyed yourself.”

“I did, and everyone seemed wonderful. Thank you for having me,” she answers in an even sweeter voice than the last time I heard it.

Platters start being passed around, some people talking, some digging right in, but I’m not too distracted by everything to miss the hushed war Skylar and Judd appear to be having across the table.

And why I’m even surprised at what my older sister does next, I don’t know. Complete waste of energy.

“JT,” she slams down her fork and glares at me, “why the hell are you mad at my husband?”

“Ask him, later,” I lowly grate past a jaw clenched in aggravation.

“I already did and he won’t tell me. So you better, like, now!” She speaks louder than acceptable for a ‘small traces of a hangover’ brunch, with our parents no less.

“Hemay jump when you say ‘now,’ but I don’t. I’ll tell ya if he won’t, but when I said later, I meant it. So drop it and eat.” I give her a deadly stare that she knows means I’m done.

My father clears his throat and calmly,pure deception, rests his elbows on the table and steeples his fingers under his chin. “Ryder, Bellamy, I’d like to apologize to you both for the juvenile behavior of my adult children. And if you’re done eating, I ask that my family be given some privacy. Again, I apologize.”

“Don’t bother,we'llleave,” Skylar barks and starts to stand.

“Sit. Down.” My dad warns in a chilling tone. “And change your attitude real quick, young lady.”

Ryder jumps up. “Thank you for having me, letting me stay over and the delicious meal, but I need to head out. Bellamy, want a ride home?”

“Yes, please.” She quickly rises. “Like Ryder said, thank you for everything. I’ll…uh…see you later, Brynn.” She starts for the stairs and tells Ryder to give her a second to grab her bag.

“I am family,” Presley laughs as she too gets up, “but I don’twantto stay for this. Thanks Uncle Dane, Aunt Laney. See ya, Children of Wrath.”

It’s eerily silent as we wait for them to all leave. The minute the door shuts behind them, my dad heaves out a loud, angry sigh and relaxes back in his chair. Again—deception—he’s keeping us off guard with conflicting voices and gestures.

“Babe,” my mom’s drawl is filled with worry as she reaches for his arm.

He looks at her, arching one brow, waiting for the argument or plea she has planned.

She internally debates for a bit, fiddling with her napkin, then speaks. “Nope, you’re right. They acted like asses, have at ‘em.”

 

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