Page 28 of Pitcher Us
Before I can even think of how to respond to that mess, she just walks away.
“Mom,” I whisper-shout after her, but she makes it to the kitchen first.
“Okay!” she cheers. “Birthday girl gets to go first!”
Chapter 14
Callie
I don’t know what it’s like to have a sister, but if I could be Lucie and Reagan’s third sister but not be related to Will, I’d sign up immediately.
Well, there is one way that’s possible.
Ope, too far. But I think I could argue my case for some sister adoption program. Reagan has this dark brown hair that matches Will’s; she also seems to be the more outspoken one, while Lucie’s blonde hair matches their mom’s and she is more bubbly and light. And here I am, a redhead who just wants to complete her dream of becoming the real life Powerpuff Girls.
Okay, maybe I’ve had enough eggnog.
I set down my empty drink, focusing back on Reagan as she tells the table about Will calling his teacher an asshole in high school.
“I stand by what I said.” Will pushes out his empty plate and looks at me to explain. I try to tell myself that he’s looking at me more than Adam since I’m in the middle of them, but my heart does beat a little harder when it’s more eye contact than a quick glance. “Mrs. Clancy was an asshole, not a bitch. An asshole who hated me specifically.”
“Who then hated me by extension!” Reagan exclaims.
“She liked me.” Lucie shrugs.
“Everyone likes you,” Will and Reagan both say at the same time. Their bond as siblings is clearly strong. I love Adam, but we don’t have this. We don’t have funny stories to look back on or stories from going to the same school.
Maybe it was the age difference and the fact that our parents sent us to a prep school that kept boys and girls on separate campuses. But I’m jealous of the Anderson siblings right now. They’re all relatively close in age, with Will being the oldest at twenty-eight, Reagan just slightly younger than me at twenty-five, and Lucie at twenty-three. They all went to the same schools and from what I can tell, actually spent time with each other with no obligations or strings attached.
“Okay.” Will’s mom clasps her hands together. “Before we start the long, drawn-out debate of why everyone is nice to Lucie, let’s decide—games or dessert next?”
“Games?” I ask, almost too excited at the idea. I’m down with some good healthy competition. Family game nights at the Reyer household included charades with “sophisticated” topics only. You try acting out King Henry VIII and having a good time.
“Birthday girl gets to pick.” Catherine smiles at me before turning to Will. “Will, do you mind helping clear the table?”
He nods, taking my plate first and stacking it on his.
Adam stands up, reaching for some more plates to take in the kitchen.
“Thanks, man,” Will tosses his way as Adam heads out. Will stacks some more stuff on top slowly. “Hey, don’t let Reagan talk you into Monopoly. She’s a sore loser.”
Reagan scoffs. “Don’t listen to him, Callie. He’s terrible to play with! He’ll start sweet talkin’ deals and taking all your money. He’s a con man when he plays. He’s trying to con you into playing now by placing blame on me.”
Peering up at Will, I can see this light on his face that’s been there since we all settled down to eat. He seems so comfortable here. He seems so happy.
“Oh, I think we need to play Monopoly,” I say, and Will winks at me in response before taking the dishes out.
I know there’s a blush creeping up my cheeks and I can feel his sisters’ stares. If they plan on asking if there is something going on between us, I honestly won’t know how to answer them. There are moments where our friendship definitely teeters on the flirty side of things, but I genuinely enjoy his company. I like being his friend and call me crazy, but I think he likes being my friend too…maybe more?
Maybe I’m reading too much into it, and I swore I would never date a baseball player again. But there are exceptions to every rule, right?
After clearing the table, we broke out Monopoly and let me tell you, I don’t think I’ve ever laughed this much. Like genuinely laughing with people I just met. It’s arguably one of the best days I’ve ever had and the fact that I haven’t heard from my parents today is something I’m oddly okay with.
Monopoly was the best decision I could have made. I thoroughly enjoy the sibling arguments, negotiating when rent couldn’t be paid, and rules—the rules in the Anderson Monopoly Playbook—that are apparently more like suggestions.
Lucie was the first one out, which, according to Reagan, happens every time. To which Lucie replied that her and Will’s competitiveness stresses her out. Then Will buys out his mom, much to Reagan’s protest. Catherine says she refuses to play past an hour, because it raises the stakes. Which it most certainly did because soon after Adam’s out and I’m surviving on community chests and chance cards.
My properties have all gone to Will in trades to stay alive and I can’t help but feel like my stakes weren’t ever as high as the others.
