Page 124 of Beautiful Broken Love

Camille approached me as they chatted, wrapping one arm around me while her other hand kept the wineglass steady. “Hey, little brother,” she sighed over my shoulder.

“Hey, Mill.”

“Bringing girlfriends to Thanksgiving? That’s new.” She sipped her wine and looked from me to Davina, who was snickering at something Whitney was saying.

“Yeah,” I said, smiling. “Guess so.”

“How does it feel?” she asked.

“Good as hell.”

She shot me a wink.

“Hey, D, this is my sister, Camille. Camille, this is Davina.”

“Davina, hi! It’s so nice to meet the woman my brother never shuts up about,” Camille said, taking her hand.

“Come on, Mill! Don’t be like that!”

Davina wore a bashful smile. “Well, that’s good to know. It’s really nice to meet you, too, Camille. Deke talks about you all the time.”

My sister was instantly flattered, and that was all it took for Davina to reel her in. While they got acquainted, I greeted Jack (who gave me a hug that was too tight and too long), and Eli ran my way, hugging me around the waist.

“Uncle Deke, we shootin’ some hoops today?”

“I don’t know, nephew. After last night’s game, I’m kinda tired. You might get all the points today.”

Eli donned a proud grin. “Yeah, you’re right. It’s better if you chill today. Don’t wanna whip you too bad.”

I chuckled, watching him walk to the kitchen to find his grandma, but as I looked that way, I noticed someone standing near the dining area. My hand curled into a fist as I stared at him.

He looked different from the last time I’d seen him—then again, nineteen years did that to a person. He was pudgier, with a bit of a gut beneath his plaid button-down shirt. His hair was peppered with gray, and wrinkles were around his eyes and on his forehead, like he’dfrowned so much they became permanent. His hands were buried in the front pockets of his jeans, but he took one out to wave at me.

It was Joshua Bishop. My father.

I swallowed, ignoring his wave and facing my sisters again.

“Behave, Deke,” Camille said, tapping my fist.

“Trying,” I muttered, loosening my hand.

I looked at Davina as she studied my dad briefly before fixing her eyes on mine.You okay?she mouthed.

I’m good.

“Let’s eat!” my mom shouted, placing the turkey on the center of the table.

I helped Davina settle in and took the seat beside her. My mom sat at the head of the table in the chair next to mine, Camille across from me and Eli between her and Jack. Whitney took the seat next to Davina, and at the other end of the table was my dad.

“How about a prayer?” Mama said, extending both her arms. I placed my hand in hers and started to reach for Davina’s until she pressed a hand to the top of my thigh to stop it from bouncing. Our eyes connected, and she gave me a warm smile before weaving her fingers through mine. Mama led us in prayer, and afterward we all dug in.

“All of this looks really good, Liv,” a deep voice said from the end of the table. I cut my eyes to my dad’s, and he was smiling proudly at my mom as he placed a few cuts of turkey on his plate.

“Thank you, Josh.”

I clenched my jaw, dumping a spoonful of macaroni and cheese onto my plate.

“How about we go around the table and share a reason why we’re thankful this year. Yeah?” Mama insisted, looking at everyone.

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