Page 17 of Pieces

“Okay, okay, fine. Favorite girl, favorite boy,” I say, rolling my eyes. “But let’s be real, we both know it’s really just me.”

“Don’t push it,” Mom teases. “Now, are you coming home for Thanksgiving? Rory says I need to make it official before she eats the entire grocery budget in snacks.”

“It’s, like, seven weeks away,” I reply with a smirk. “Bit early to lock me in, isn’t it?”

“Not if you want our usual Parker family feast. You know I like to be prepared,” she counters.

“Fine, I’ll be there,” I tell her. “And no, I’m not bringing anyone, before you ask.”

“I wasn’t going to,” Mom says, feigning innocence.

“Sure you weren’t,” I say. “Rory mentioned something about you having a guy in the picture?”

“Oh, so that’s what this call is about.” There’s a hint of amusement in her voice. “Well, since my love life seems to be public knowledge, yes, I’ve been to coffee with someone. It’s nothing serious.”

“Yet,” Rory pipes up in the background. “Shelikeshim!”

“Rory,” Mom warns gently, but I can hear her smiling.

I shake my head, grinning. “So, is this coffee guy going to be around for Thanksgiving? I’d like to meet him.”

“It’s way too early for anything like that.”

“If you’re sure,” I say. “But, you know, if he ever wants to survive a Thanksgiving with us, he’s got to know what he’s getting into. Rory alone is enough to send most people running.”

“I’m a delight!” Rory shouts indignantly from the background.

“Sure, squirt,” I reply, my grin widening.

“Don’t call me that!”

Mom chuckles, cutting in before we can escalate. “Alright, enough you two. Hudson, you don’t need to worry about this. It’s just coffee. And I’d like to enjoy it for that, without you two running interference.”

“I’m not doing that,” I say with mock innocence. “But you deserve someone great, Mom. Just making sure this guy gets that.”

Her voice softens. “I appreciate that, sweetheart, but really, it’s nothing serious. Right now, I’m just enjoying the company.”

“Good,” I reply sincerely, my tone light.

“Now go do something productive with your day instead of pestering me.”

“Fine, fine,” I reply. “Love you, Mom.”

“Love you, too,” she says before we hang up.

As I’m pushing my way inside my room, my phone buzzes in my hand from the guys’ group chat.

New Messages from:Textual HealingGroup Chat

Jay

Yo, Huds, how was Gracie last night?

Miles

Yeah, did she play your favorite breakup cry-a-thon song?

Hudson:

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