Page 87 of I Got You

“Fine.” His voice is low and tight, and I’d give just about anything to know exactly what’s going through his mind

∞∞∞

“You want me to put my hand where?”

“Just reach in there and see if there’s anything?” I say, trying not to gag. The smell, the slime, and now this invasive task of searching for the…giblets. Who freaking knew that preparing a turkey was like dissecting a cadaver?

Shane steps away. “Nope. Not happening. Just throw it away, and we’ll order pizza.”

I push my hair out of my face with my shoulder. “Come on, Grizz. Just do it. Then we can stuff it and put it in the oven.”

“No. I’m done. I’m not shoving my hand anywhere or stuffing anything.”

I groan.

“Where’s our medical professional? Get him in here. He’ll be down with all this.” Shane moves to the sink.

I try to act cool. Be cool. Don’t smile or gawk. Be totally cool. He has no idea that he just called Garrett ours. It’s the first time he’s ever personally claimed one of the kids, and I’m pretty sure I have hearts blooming from my chest. I want to hug him, kiss him, and keep him forever. Cool. Cool. Beeeee coooooollll.

“Go get him then, you big chicken.”

“Funny, you’re not willing to stick your hands in there either.”

Just the thought makes me gag a little. Shane sees and smirks. “Stop it. It’s not funny. My gag reflex is strong.”

He leans close to my ear. “Just think, Firefly, you’ll be gobbling up that turkey in a matter of hours.”

“Shane, unless you want me to pick this giant dead-feather-plucked-friend and throw it at you, go get Garrett.”

I hear him grumble as he leaves the kitchen. After a minute, Garrett comes in, ready to assist. Five minutes later, he’s shoving the last bits of stuffing into the bird and then washing his hands like a surgeon.

“That was cool. I wonder how they get all the stuff out from the inside,” he says, drying off his hands while I shove it in the oven.

“Garrett, just keep those thoughts and ideas to yourself. I’m going to stretch and do some exercises before I have to make the rest of the food. Warn Teddy that he’s required to help, too.”

“Do you think that’s a good idea? We have people coming. He might lace it with something.”

“Well, we better keep both eyes on him then.” Garrett grins, passing Shane and Hank on the way out of the kitchen.

“I’ll run Hank to the school,” Shane says.

“Ok.” I point at Hank. “Kick some serious butt today. I want names and numbers and stats. We’ll be at your final game next week, so don’t even think about trying out that new flip throw-in until then. Got it?”

“Yeah, yeah,” he says, unaffected as I hug him.

“We’ll see you for dinner, so bring your appetite.”

“Don’t expect turkey,” Shane mumbles as they head for the garage.

“Hey. It’s going to be the best damn turkey you ever tasted,” I yell after them.

I wipe the counter down and climb the stairs to find Liv. Since agreeing to do the show, she’s become my stretching partner. I find her in her room trying to fit Barbie in a pretend bathtub.

“Hey, beauty. I’m going down to stretch. Want to come?”

She hops up. “Ok. Let me find my shiny leotard.” She dresses in a pink and silver leo, and we head downstairs to get to work.

I turn on the instrumental tracks for Beauty and the Beast, Liv’s favorite, and pull the ballet barre away from the wall where there’s just enough room to the side of the weights, bench, pull-up bar, and treadmill. It’s the same one I used when I started. The one my mom and I used to share.

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