Page 39 of Entwined
I didn’t bother to ask whatall of thismeant. The tension between us had become a constant companion, and I was exhausted from trying to decipher his moods. It felt like we were both teetering on the edge of a cliff, and neither of us knew how to step back.
When Thanksgiving Day finally dawned, I was relieved to leave the city behind and head to my parents’ house. The familiar warmth of the home in was a balm to my frayed nerves. The smell of turkey roasting in the oven, mixed with the scent of cinnamon and cloves from my mother’s spiced cider, filled the air. It was a comfort I hadn’t realized I needed.
Simone and Logan arrived first, bringing with them a sense of easy affection that had always eluded me. They were practically glowing, their fingers intertwined as they whispered to each other, oblivious to the rest of the world. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy, but I pushed it aside and greeted them with a smile.
Easton and Priscilla arrived next, hand in hand, looking every bit the picture-perfect couple. Priscilla’s eyes sparkled with happiness, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that there would be wedding bells in their near future. Easton caught me looking and gave me a wink, as if he knew exactly what I was thinking.
“Something on your mind, Joey?” he asked, his tone teasing as he wrapped me in a bear hug.
“Just wondering when I’ll need to buy a bridesmaid dress,” I replied, my voice light but my heart heavy.
Priscilla blushed, and Easton grinned, but before they could respond, my mother called us all into the kitchen to help with the final preparations.
Cooking with my mother had always been a cherished tradition and today was no different. We fell into our old rhythm, moving around each other in the kitchen like a well-practiced dance. As I mashed potatoes and she basted the turkey, we talked about everything and nothing—old family memories, the latest neighborhood gossip, even the possibility of Easton proposing soon.
“Priscilla’s a lovely girl,” my mother said as she chopped herbs for the stuffing. “I think she’d make a wonderful addition to the family.”
“I think so too,” I agreed, glancing over at Priscilla, who was helping set the table with Simone. “She seems to make Easton really happy.”
My mother smiled, but then her gaze turned more serious as she looked at me. “And you, Joey? How are you holding up?”
I hesitated, my hands stilling as I gripped the potato masher. “I’m… managing,” I said finally. “It’s been tough, especially with Colson’s anniversary coming up. And Vaughn… he’s been distant. More than usual.”
She reached out and squeezed my hand, her eyes filled with concern. “I’m here for you, sweetheart. You know that, right?”
I nodded, blinking back the sudden sting of tears. “I know, Mom. Thank you.”
By the time dinner was ready, the table was laden with more food than we could possibly eat in one sitting. There was turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potato casserole with toasted marshmallows on top, green beans, cranberry sauce, and my mother’s famous pumpkin pie waiting in the wings. It was a feast fit for a king, but as we all gathered around the table, I couldn’t shake the feeling of emptiness in my chest.
The conversation flowed easily, laughter echoing through the dining room as we shared stories and teased each other. Logan and Easton bantered like they always did, and Simone and Priscilla bonded over their mutual love of holiday shopping. For a moment, I allowed myself to get lost in the warmth of it all, to forget about the ache in my heart and the absence of the man who should have been sitting beside me.
But as the evening wore on, and the candles on the table burned low, I found myself retreating into my thoughts. The weight of everything—Colson’s death, the strain with Vaughn, the uncertainty of the future—pressed down on me until it was almost too much to bear.
After dinner, as we all gathered in the living room for coffee and dessert, Easton nudged me with his elbow. “You’ve been awfully quiet tonight. Everything okay?”
I forced a smile. “Just tired, I guess. It’s been a long day.”
“Anything you want to talk about?” he asked, his voice gentle, concern etched in his features.
I shook my head, not trusting myself to speak. Instead, I stood up and excused myself, slipping out onto the back porch where the night air was crisp and cold. I wrapped my arms around myself, staring up at the stars as I tried to collect my thoughts.
The door opened behind me, and I turned to see Simone stepping out, her expression soft and understanding.
“You looked like you needed some air,” she said quietly, joining me by the railing.
“Yeah,” I admitted, my breath visible in the chilly air. “I did.”
We stood in silence for a moment, the only sound the rustling of leaves in the breeze. Finally, Simone spoke, her voice tentative.
“I know things have been rough for you, Joey. Especially with Vaughn. I just want you to know… I’m here if you ever want to talk. About anything.”
I looked at her, surprised by the sincerity in her eyes. There was a time when Simone and I couldn’t stand each other, when the idea of confiding in her would have been unthinkable. But now, things were different. We were different.
“Thank you, Simone,” I said softly. “That means a lot.”
She smiled, a small, genuine smile that reached her eyes. “We’re family, Joey. And family sticks together, no matter what.”
As I stood there with her, the cold biting at my skin, I realized that maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t as alone as I felt. And for the first time in weeks, I felt a glimmer of hope.
