Page 45 of Embers in Our Past

“For you? No,” he says, brushing my hair away from my eyes and tucking it behind my ears.

“Perfect, so it’s settled. Mother dearest is coming to Boston then?” River asks.

“River, I told you not to call her that, remember?” I whisper-yell.

He holds his hands up in surrender. “Sorry, sorry, you’re right. She’s a saint. I’m sorry.” Although he’s not the least bit sorry. He’s smiling and knows exactly what he’s doing.

I turn my attention to Clay. “And just so you know, before I left California, my mom did say she would work on being kinder, so I do hope she fulfills that promise when she comes out here.”

“I don’t expect anything from her,” Clay says. My mom was never blatantly rude to him, but she wasn’t overly nice to him either. She was always just indifferent, even when he put an effort to make her feel welcome. I hope she’ll attempt to make him feel appreciated because even if we are divorced, we are now going to co-parent together.

“What about telling our mother, Clay?” River asks.

“Oh, I went over there after the appointment.” Clay smiles.

“Without me?”

“Yes, River. I didn’t know I had to include you in my pregnancy announcement with Mom.” He rolls his eyes, and River looks offended.

“We’re twins, Clay. We do everything together,” River explains. “I’m truly hurt, man.” He puts his hand to his heart. “I would have waited for you.”

“Really? So when Kennedy announces she’s pregnant, you’re going to call me, ask me to head to Mom’s house, then have me be a part of your pregnancy announcement like I’m a part of this whole thing with you and Kennedy?” Clay asks.

“Of course!” River says, with no hesitation whatsoever.

“River, I love you, but you’re full of absolute shit. There is no way Kennedy would do that. Plus, that’s not a twin thing to do. It’s a ‘you and Kennedy’ moment, not a ‘me and you’ moment. I just wanted to sit with Mom to explain to her what was going on, that’s all.”

“I’m completely fucking with you.” River laughs. “I never expected you to have me there. I just wanted to see you talk your way out of that one. I loved every second of that.”

He throws his head back and laughs as I roll my eyes. It’s hard to understand how Kennedy handles this Nichols brother half the time. He’s too much.

“Hey, I’m going to grab some water for Lola. The bowl still under the sink in the kitchen?” he asks.

“Yep. The cabinet to the left, last I saw,” Clay answers.

“Perfect, thanks.” River gets up and heads over to the kitchen.

I turn to Clay. “You’re sure you’re okay with all this? I mean, it’s a lot to take in.”

“It’s happening, no matter how fast or slow it’s going, Abby,” he says as if this isn’t a huge adjustment.

“Well, we still have a lot to talk about.”

“Yeah, like the living arrangements and the fact you’re being stubborn about it.”

I huff and roll my eyes. “Not this again.” I sit back in my chair and rub my temples.

“Oh, we haven’t even scratched the surface, baby. You can’t resist my charms,” he says, and I’m not sure if he’s still talking about just moving in or about something else entirely.

I’m about to press him on the subject when I hear a commotion in the kitchen.

“River, what are you doing on the—get up from the floor. What are you—No, not another fake proposal. Goddamn it! You’re such an asshole!” Kennedy yells.

I look over at Clay, and he can’t contain his laughter. Those two are either going to kill one another, or they’re perfect for each other. Either way, they’re entertaining to watch along the way.

CHAPTER 17

Abby

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