Page 19 of Rowdy St. Nick

I take a sip. “What do you mean by that, Dad?”

“You grow up and keep changing into an adult who does all these things I’ve never even heard of.” He throws his hands up. “But this?” He points at my cup. “This hasn’t changed since the first time you ever tried coffee. Have you never tried it differently?”

I tilt my head and think.

“One time my friend Anna made this cappuccino thing when I was at her house.”

“And?”

“It was disgusting.”

I sip again while he laughs. The door opens and I know it’s Lucas before I see him. He makes drama out of everything, including opening the door.

“The party is here!”

“Hey Lucas!” I call down the hallway as I see him walking toward us.

“Hey sis. I have your keys here.”

He holds them up and jingles them.

“Awesome! Thanks so much for getting that handled so fast.”

“No problem.” I reach out for the keys as he comes closer, but he closes his hand around them. “Wait, I need details about the cowboy rescue before I agree to hand these over.”

Here we go.

“Lucas, come on. Just gimme my keys.”

“It’s gonna cost you a story first.”

Mom places the roast on the stovetop and takes her oven mitts off, then turns to me with one hand on her hip.

“What’s this about a cowboy rescue, Tess? Were you in trouble?”

“Why’d you need to be rescued?” Dad chimes in.

“Because she’s our little troublemaker!” Jordan says from behind me.

I hadn’t heard the door open. I stretch my neck around and see him coming into the kitchen.

“Ugh.” I sip my coffee, wishing I could crawl into the cup and die.

“Come on, Tess, tell us what happened.” Lucas is eager for a story.

I’m not getting out of this. I look around the table and see Lucas has settled in and Jordan is pulling out his chair. All of them, including Mom and Dad, are staring at me.

“Okay fine.”

Lucas actually claps. I keep going. Better get it over with.

“I was driving to work last night when my car broke down. It just started smoking on the highway.”

Mom sits down and puts a hand to her mouth.

“It’s fine, Mom. I was okay, I promise.”

“Go on,” Lucas waves his hand for me to continue.

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