Page 8 of Crash

“Tracy, I have some sparkling water for you,” Tash says, handing her a glass.

Tracy thanks her and Troy takes a glass of wine, but before he sips it, he spots the bottle of rum.

“Oh, are we drinking this?” he asks, reaching for the bottle. Jake tries to swipe it from his hand, but Troy dodges him.

“There are three other bottles. Why you two go for the one that’s just for me is beyond me.” Tristan pulls him away before Jake can snatch the bottle out of Troy’s hand. Jake scowls at us both, but he lets Tristan lead him away.

“Pour me one,” I say to Troy. He hands me a shot and we down it at the same time. Tracy walks over to us, and Troy puts his arm around her shoulder.

“You finally ready to come to work on Monday?”

“I have no choice, I guess. It’s been a good ride.” I shrug my shoulders, uncaring about the turn of events. I thought my father would have put his foot down and forced me to work last year, but he never did.

“Who’s ready to eat?” Jake shouts, walking back to the kitchen. “The sooner we eat, the sooner you can get the hell out, so I can be alone with my wife.”

“Oh, chillax, Jacob,” I say. “You act like you don’t like it when we come over here.”

“I’m not acting.” He deadpans. “Here.” He shoves a plate in my hand. Sandy, Emma, and Tash’s kids come back, all the girls wearing matching headbands.

“So much for hospitality,” Chris, Tash’s husband, says.

Jake’s response is to shove a plate in his hand too. “I wanted a quiet night at home, but you people managed to invite yourselves over here. Again.” He exaggerates the word again, and we all laugh at him.

“We come here for Sandy, not you. Oh, and for the food.” I put my empty plate down and help all the kids find seats. I grab Travis’s highchair and strap him in. Since he’s my godson, I fix him a plate of spaghetti and meatballs and pray his parents brought him a change of clothes.

We all sit down to dinner, the room loud with talk and laughter. Jake’s at the head of the table, and Sandy is sitting to his right. Every few seconds, they either feed each other, or he kisses the back of her hand. I don’t even think he realizes he kisses her so often, it’s just natural.

Troy and Tracy are not as affectionate in public. Maybe it’s all the years of drama that happened when they first got together and married, but they are much more conservative when it comes to public displays of affection.

“You know what we all need?” Chris asks. “Another boys’ trip.”

The women roll their eyes and groan.

“Hell yes!” I say. “Let’s plan something for after the holidays.”

“You go ahead. We’re going to Hawaii,” Jake announces, kissing the back of Sandy’s hand again.

“Hawaii works for me,” I say.

“Dumbass, you won’t even have enough vacation yet. And you people are not crashing our vacation. It’s bad enough we’re stuck with you for the holidays.” Jake tries to sound grumpy, but he’s smiling.

“Luke, I’m sure I can convince Dad to let you have some vacation,” Troy says.

“That’s why you’re my favorite brother, Troy.”

“Hey, if Chris is going to Hawaii, I’m going too,” Tash says.

“Maybe we can all go,” Troy says.

“Are you all serious? It’s like I can’t get rid of you people. I don’t want to take a family vacation. I want to be with my wife, alone.”

Sandy smiles at him.

“No, I’m talking about a boys’ trip like we did for Jake’s bachelor party. I need another one of those.”

Everyone talks at once as they think of places we can go for a weekend.

“I got it,” Troy yells over the loud chatter. “We can all go to New Orleans in March.” He gestures between him and Jake. “We have to travel there for work. The rest of you can fly down there Friday.”

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