Page 9 of Sugar, Sprinkles, and Secrets
“Chloe Jones—a very pregnant Chloe Jones.” Tommy smirks. “I didn’t talk to her, but she saw me. She damn near ran away from me like a rat scurrying away from the light, but there was no missing that baby bump.” Tommy’s laugh echoes off the walls of my loft.
“The hell? If she’s pregnant, it’s not mine. It’s not possible. I haven’t even kissed her since January, let alone anything else,” Chase insists as his face pales. Chloe hooked her claws into Chase then faked a pregnancy, which convinced my brother to propose to her, even though he was planning on breaking up with her before her “announcement” was made. It was less than two weeks before the truth came out that she had faked the entire thing, and the very public breakup happened in the middle of the local pub O'Dell's only days after our mom's arrest.
But thank God, whoever got Chloe pregnant is not one of my brothers. She is like claws on a chalkboard, both in personality and the screechy tone of her whiny voice. “More to be thankful for this year, right?” I raise my beer in cheers.
“The list is pretty damn short this year, but yeah, that’s on it,” Chase mumbles.
“Brother, no one blames you,” Tommy pleads for our brother to actually hear us—he won’t—but we won’t stop reminding him until he accepts that he isn’t at fault for our mother’s crazy. “If Vivian Callahan and their entire crew assure you nothing is wrong, and her daddy, Murphy, is still best friends with our UncleFrank, I don’t know what other evidence you need to release that guilt that you’re carrying.”
“It’s not yours, Chase. It never was,” I add. Chase just hums at us and keeps working on food prep. The problem with having a heart as large as my brother’s is that he carries too much that isn’t necessarily his to pile onto his shoulders. He’s a good man—and I won’t give up on making sure he knows it.
The smoker looks good as I double-check that it’s holding the necessary temperature. I’ll baste the meat in an hour or so, but the evening is nice enough for me to enjoy the view from my covered patio with the outdoor fireplace going. My brothers left to their respective homes and will be back here mid-morning tomorrow for what could be the weirdest Thanksgiving of my life.
I hope I bought enough beer.
Tommy
Just talked to Dad. I think it’s best if we avoid any talk of Mom tomorrow. She wrote him a letter and we just need to help him focus on the good.
Chase
What did it say?
Tommy
Just delusional chatter really but talking about where they could retire… then mentioned Cuba again.
Chase
WTH…
When everything came crashing down—or well, imploded is more like it—our mother ended up holding not only Vivian Callahan hostage, but our own father as well. She thought she and dad could run off to Cuba to avoid extradition to the US for her crimes. The fact she’d ever considered any of the Riley men running in any capacity just shows how long she’s been out of touch with reality.
Me
I think that’s a good guideline for tomorrow. Anything else we can do? Uncle Frank called me a bit ago and he’ll join us tomorrow too, maybe that will help.
Tommy
We’ve got this.
Chase doesn’t add anything, but that’s not uncommon anymore either. There has been so much change this year, and I’m unable to stop myself from texting the one person that’s brought so much good to my life, even if she’s still fighting what we could have. I’m not ready to give up on her. If there’s one thing I’ve learned this year, it’s that when you find something good and true, you fight like hell and hold on to it with everything you have.
I’m not willing to let go of Cara—not yet—and hopefully, if she lets me convince her, not ever.
Me
Hey, just a reminder if you change your mind, we’ll have plenty of food if y’all want to join. We’ll eat early afternoon, but you’re welcome anytime.
I hold my breath, not sure if I’m bracing myself for a rejection or being ghosted. Thankfully, she doesn’t leave me on read—even if it’s not what I want to hear.
Cara
Hi Max, that’s so kind of you. We’ll probably just hang out here. I invited Cami to join us because she didn’t have any plans but if that changes, I’ll let you know, ok?
Me
Cami’s welcome too. I promise, we have a lot of food… and some may even be edible.
