Page 62 of Begin Again
I shook my head.
Kaden winced. “That’s the saddest thing I’ve ever heard.”
Before I could say a word, he’d picked up his cell phone. He held the receiver to his ear, and a few seconds later his face brightened.
“Hey, Mom. No, everything’s okay. Yes, it went well,” he said with a grin, raising his cap only to set it down on his head again. “Listen, the reason I’m calling… I know we already have a full house with Chad’s kids at Thanksgiving.” He frowned and waved his hand, although his mother couldn’t see him. “No! I’m not backing out! I wanted to ask if it would be okay if I brought a friend with me.”
Now I was on my feet, wanting to tear the phone from Kaden’s hand. He turned away from me.
“I knew you’d say that. Thanks, Mom. See you Tuesday.”
He hung up. “She said the more the merrier.” He flashed his lopsided grin.
“Are you nuts?” I cried, angry. “How is that going to come across?”
His smile faded. “What do you mean, how will it come across?”
“You’re taking me to your mom’s not only on a holiday, but exactly on that day when she’s meeting the children of her new boyfriend?” My voice had grown shrill.
Kaden’s eyebrows shot up. “Who cares?”
“It’s… it’s… ” I was at a loss for words. I looked at Kaden pleadingly.
“Bubbles,” murmured Kaden, taking me by the shoulders and forcing me to face him. “We’re friends, aren’t we?”
I held my breath and returned his gaze.
“Something like that,” I said.
“You see?” he said. His voice sounded gruff. “You’ll get your kitschy Thanksgiving with all the trimmings, and my mom and I won’t be outnumbered at the table. So everyone gets what they want.”
Finally I nodded.
“Okay.”
