Page 85 of Calamity Rayne Knocked Up

“What the fuck are the ipps?”

“You know… not quite the creeps, but something’s a little off.”

“Sure. The ipps. Got it.”

“Barrett!” My shoulders jumped to my ears when McKinsley returned to see what was taking him so long. “I want to go. You said we could leave, like, twenty minutes ago.”

My God, that voice wasawful. I hid my mouth behind a cookie and mumbled, “I’ve got some allergy medicine in my bag that causes drowsiness if you want it.”

He laughed.

“I’m serious. It knocks Elara right out when she’s whiny.”

“Are you telling me you drug my niece?”

“I’m telling you she hasallergies,and if your girlfriend keeps whining, I’m afraid my milk’s going to come in.”

He looked horrified. “Don’t talk to me about your boob milk, Meyers.”

I rolled my eyes. “Oh, please. Boobs serve a higher purpose than entertaining you, Barrett. Grow up.”

“Barrett, I want to go!”

He growled and fished his keys out of his pocket. “Get your coat,” he snapped, ushering her out of the kitchen. I wouldn’t be surprised if he drove her out to the middle of nowhere and left her there.

Aunt Bethany, would you like to say grace?

Dinner was a little too somber for my liking. The china was gorgeous, and the tablescape was over the top, but there was a shroud of awkwardness cloaking the festivities. This was probably on account of all the unnecessary formalities and how sleepy some people were from drinking since dawn.

There was no normal chatter. Nopass the potatoesorthis year I’m grateful for…Unfamiliar servants served the food in silence. The music was some orchestra crap instead of Judy or Bing or even Mariah. And why the hell did I have five forks at my place setting?

“Where’s Marta?” I asked when I realized she wasn’t seated at this cold Citizen Cane table.

Remington frowned. “She’s eating with her family, Meyers.”

But we were her family. “Isn’t this table big enough for her and Raoul to join us? They’re only two little people.”

Some unfamiliar guests glanced up from their plates as another course was butlered about the table. Remington’s grip tightened around his spoon. I met his stare head-on, still pissy with him about his behavior the night before.

I glanced at Odette. She wasn’t her usual pleasant self today, and I worried she might have figured out what Remington was up to at the party. He was such a fool. The man didn’t have a clue how to keep a good woman.

“So,” my mother said, trying to break the chill in the room. “Did anyone watch the game today?”

I jumped on the distraction. “I watched the first quarter.”

Xander met my stare and smiled. “Do you like football, Rayne?”

“I like big men in tight pants.”

Seraphina laughed, and Hale scowled. Barrett glared suspiciously at Xander.

I shrugged andstuffed a sauteed bean in my mouth. “No other football fans at the table?”

Hale cleared his throat and wiped his mouth. “We have a game planned for tomorrow in the west field.” He cleared his throat. “Hopefully, my pants are tight enough for you.”

My grin widened. “You guys are playing football?”

“It’s tradition,” Barrett explained. “The winner gets Leilani Falls.”

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