Page 105 of Stuck With You
I get a sharp elbow to the ribs. “Yeah. Good luck sticking to that friend zone,” Roxie mumbles, and I elbow her back.
“Come on. Line up and load up.” Wind waves people toward the plates.
“Wook, Mama!” Ollie holds out his hand with an old green car. “Dis is Swade’s f-favorite. His mama g-gave it to him.” He speeds it across the table, making the appropriate noises.
I glance at Slade, but he avoids eye contact, tickling Frankie again.
I fill Ollie’s plate and settle him at the table. Slade sits beside him with Frankie on his lap, patting the table and babbling.
I reach for her, but Slade stops me.
“You go first, then you can sit with them.”
“You sure?”
He nods.
“Kris, how many loads will it take to get all your sshhh-stuff moved next weekend?” Trig asks from the back of the line.
“Probably a few, and I need help getting a couch from one of my co-workers this week. If you all work hard and keep your groaning to a minimum, I’ll buy pizza and beer for dinner.”
“I w-wanna come,” Ollie says, dropping a strip of turkey in his mouth.
“You guys should come for dinner. I’ll give you a tour of my new place,” Krissy says, sliding around the table next to Ollie.
“Thank you. That would be fun, but we can’t,” I say quickly.
“Aw. I wanna go,” Ollie whines. “That’s n-no fair.” He pouts, crossing his arms over his chest and tucking his chin.
“Ol,” I say, needing him to knock it off.
“Another time, ok?” Krissy rubs his back.
“Hmph,” he grunts.
“Ollie, don’t be rude.”
“Eat up, folks, and get ready for games,” Carson says, rubbing his hands together. “We’ll start with charades, Slade’s favorite.”
“I’m not playing your games,” Slade grumbles.
Trig turns from scooping stuffing onto his plate. “You haven’t been practicing your miming skills? We warned you last year.”
“You’re gonna have to be on your own team,” Wind says, carrying a heaping plate to the living room. “I’ve never seen someone so terrible at acting out eating.”
Slade groans, and I roll my lips together, trying not to laugh as I set my plate on the table.
“Or driving,” Krissy snorts, covering her mouth as she laughs.
“That was unfair, and you all know it,” Slade points at her.
“But was it?” Carson asks, and the room erupts with laughter.
I can’t hold it in, and his eyes land on me.
“I wouldn’t laugh. These jokers cheat,” he says, completely serious.
I reach for Frankie. “I’ll have to judge that for myself.”
