Page 42 of Inked Beasts

We’re all happy, and I know Lexy’s happy, too, except … she’s holding back. Apart from brief moments, it never feels like I have her fully present with me. I don’t think it has anything to do with Gage or Thorn, though. In fact, I’d bet money that she holds something back with them, too.

It’s probably because of her jerk of an ex. I know she needs time to heal, and I didn’t even give her a minute to take a breath after her breakup.

I couldn’t help myself.

I’ve been trying to give her time since then, but I don’t want to wait any longer.

It bothers me a lot that Lexy hasn’t made any moves to rent an apartment. Aside from her job, there’s nothing holding her here, and I don’t like it.

“Our parents aren’t dumb,” Thorn says. “They know something’s going on; they just don’t know what.”

“Lexy doesn’t want them to know,” Gage says.

Maybe I shouldn’t be teasing Lexy at our family dinners, but I’m getting tired of keeping things a secret. I’m not sure my parents will approve—in fact, I’m pretty sure they won’t—but they’ll get over it. They love Lexy, and they love Gage and Thorn and me. Once they get used to the idea, everything will be fine.

My thoughts scatter as guests start arriving: cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents, and a few family friends. We have extra tables set up for all the people. There are two turkeys with all the trimmings, plus tamales and mole.

Lexy and her mother are among the last to arrive. Before I have time to do much more than say hello and take the bottles of wine they brought, my mother bustles up and seats both of them at one of the overflow tables, with several of the cousins.

My first reaction is anger. Lexy belongs at the main table, with us. Before I can say anything, Thorn grips my shoulder.

“Our grandparents are at the main table in the place of honor,” he says. “You know that. Are you going to tell Mama that she needs to move them?”

“Of course not,” I mutter.

“Let’s just enjoy the day. We have lots of other opportunities to spend time with her.”

“Not enough.” It comes out almost a growl.

It’s not true, not really; Lexy spends as much time with me as any person reasonably could who works a full-time job and dates three men. But I want it all. I want to tell the world she’s with us. “We should have our own table,” I grumble. “Just the four of us.”

Gage, who’s come to stand near us, raises an eyebrow. “Do you really want to make an issue of it, today of all days?”

“Yes, dammit. I do.”

He doesn’t answer, just waits for me to finish venting and come to my senses. “Sometimes I hate how logical you are,” I tell him.

“I know.”

I straighten a crooked chair with more force than necessary. “This is a day for family. And she’s ours.”

“Most of the other people here are also your family.”

“That’s different.”

He watches me, his eyes seeing everything, as usual, and not just what’s on the surface. “You want us to have our own family. The three of us and Lexy.”

Beside me, Thorn goes still. I blow out a breath. “Yeah. I do.”

We’ve been having this whole conversation under our breaths, surrounded by people, most of whom are seated by now, many of whom are looking at us strangely.

“We’ll have a better shot at that,” Gage says very quietly, “if we don’t make a scene today.”

Damn him, he’s right again. My parents are one thing, but causing a scandal in my extended family will not do Lexy any favors in the long run.

“Yeah,” I say. “And fuck you very much, by the way.”

Gage smiles. He knows that’s shorthand for our entire friendship, not any kind of insult.

---