Page 24 of That Time I Kissed The Groomsman Grump
“We have plenty more bacon,” my mom says. “And waffles.” She picks up the empty platter and heads to the stove. “If you want to stay a little while, Beau’s welcome to have breakfast too.”
“Thanks, but we need to get to the docks to make sure everything’s set for today. And there’s going to be food on the barge.” Kasey inclines her head, like she’s listening for the sound of Beau pulling up. Then she looks at me. “He did call you, right? You can take Nat to the lake for us?”
“Yeah,” I mumble.
She wrinkles her nose. “What?”
“I didn’t realize the role of best man meant being a glorified chauffeur.”
Kasey stands, her napkin-wrapped bacon strips in hand. “Consider this payback for all the years you tortured me as a kid.”
“Hmph.”
“Anyway.” She arches a brow. “Nat’s going to be related to us forever now, so you’d better get used to her being around.”
Like I need a reminder of how tangled the web of relationships is in this town. My best friend is marrying my sister. My cousins—Ford and Three—are the closest friends I have in Abieville. Everyone else has moved on. Moved away. That’s what happens here. People either can’t wait to get out, or they stay here for life. There’s really not much in-between.
“Then again, I guess you won’t be seeing Nat much anymore. Unless you come visit us in California.”
“Stop!” my mother blurts, coming back to the table with more bacon and waffles. “No more talk of that, please. Just allow me to enjoy the last few days of having both my children in the same state.” She sets down the platter. “Please change the subject.”
“Okay,” Kasey says. “Did I tell you Molly’s going to be at the wedding?”
“Well, isn’t that wonderful! I haven’t seen her in ages!” My mother glances my way, before quickly averting her eyes. Kasey’s friend, Molly Fitzgerald, had a pretty big crush on me back in high school. She was so ready to wife up back then, she’s probably married with a couple kids by now.
“Neither have I,” Kasey says. “But she’s moving back to town, so you’ll probably run into her a lot more now.”
“She is?” My mother’s brows shoot up. “I can’t believe I haven’t heard that.”
Yeah. I can’t believe it either. My mom’s usually the best source of news in this town.Newswith a capital G and ending in OSSIP.
“Well, it just happened,” Kasey says. “And I didn’t say anything, because I was a little worried you’d make me feel guilty for … well. I’m supposed to be changing the subject. So.”
“ME?” My mom presses a hand to her chest. “Make you feel guilty?”
“Ha!” Kasey gives her a smile. “Anyway, Molly’s going to be teaching at Abieville Elementary in the fall.”
My mom sighs. “Well, I’m not surprised she’s back. That girl is as loyal as they come.”
She and Kasey both shift their focus to me. Meanwhile, my dad refills his coffee mug from the carafe and takes another slice of bacon. Clueless.
“Don’t get any ideas,” I say under my breath.
“Don’t worry.” Kasey waves away my comment. “I wouldn’t dream of setting you and Molly up. In fact, please stay as far away from all of my friends as possible,Broody.”
Before I can argue that I’m not broody—I just have a lot on my mind—the rumble of the Slaters’ pickup sounds outside.
“There’s my gorgeous fiancé.” Kasey grins. “Right on time. Thanks for the bacon, Mom. I love you, Daddy.”
I toss her a crooked smile. “Since when do you call himDaddy?”
Kasey smirks. “Since when do you care what I call him?”
“I don’t.”
“Could’ve fooled me.”
“Ahem.” My father clears his throat. “I feel like a time machine just sent me back to when you two were in middle school.”
