Page 101 of Mr. Broody

Reed quirks an eyebrow at me.

“You know what I mean. And Bodhi doesn’t know, so don’t say anything in front of him, okay?”

They both stop what they’re doing and stare at me.

“What?” I ask.

“Why are you keeping your relationship from Bodhi?” Reed asks.

“We didn’t want the added pressure.” I shrug as if it’s no big deal. But the more time I spend with them, the more the hidden touches and looks and kisses when Bodhi isn’t looking don’t feel exciting, they feel deceitful.

“Pressure? You’re kissing your ex-boyfriend, the one you share a lengthy past with, who happens to have a son, and you don’t want pressure?” Reed asks.

“You know, what if it doesn’t work out?” Just thinking about leaving Henry and Bodhi makes me feel sick.

“If it doesn’t work out?” Mom asks.

“Why are you repeating everything I’m saying?”

They look at one another, shake their heads, and go back to what they were doing.

“What?” I ask.

“Nothing. Have fun,” Mom says.

The doorbell rings, and I really want to ask for more specifics about what they’re not saying.

“Jade, your boyfriend is here,” Waylon shouts.

I slide off the stool and walk to the front door, smacking Waylon on the back of the head. “Don’t say anything in front of Bodhi.”

Then I open the door. Henry and Bodhi are standing there, but so are Kyleigh, Rowan, Conor, and Tweetie. I had no idea they were coming, but I guess Reed knew, and that’s what he meant by full house.

“Happy Thanksgiving,” I say, opening the door wider.

“We brought pie,” Bodhi holds up a store-bought pumpkin pie.

“It looks delicious,” I say, trying to take it from his hands, but he’s already halfway to Waylon and Owen.

“Bodzilla!” Owen says, holding up his hands. “Want some chips?”

“No, he doesn’t,” Henry says, staring at me. “Happy Thanksgiving, Jade.”

He says it in that sultry voice that makes my knees weak.

“What’s up, Jade?” Tweetie says. “Missed you at the game last night.”

I don’t say anything since I haven’t been asked to go to another one. I’m not even sure I’m attending tomorrow’s game since Henry hasn’t said anything about that specifically.

“Sorry, my dad went to my aunt’s in Boston, and I didn’t want to do the holiday with my mom.” Kyleigh cringes. I can tell there’s a story there, but it doesn’t seem like the time to ask. “You look surprised.”

“I called Reed, it’s fine,” Henry says. So I did assume right.

“Please, everyone is always welcome in this house.” I close the door behind them.

“Conor Nilsen?” Waylon says, sitting up straight.

“Why didn’t anyone tell us?” Owen asks, looking between all the players.

---