Afootball game is cued up on the TV while the sound of laughter rings out through the house. I love spending time with Mom and Clay during the holidays, but today it feels different, and it has everything to do with Kellan and Grace being with us. I know it will be even crazier when the rest of the guys show up.
The Wolves have a hockey game this weekend, so the coach put a travel ban on the team for anywhere farther than an hour and a half away. At first the guys were going to stay home and do their own thing, but when Mom found out, she had Clay invite them. Considering they are guys and they never turn down food, they accepted the invitation. They plan on making the drive down here this morning and then heading back to campus tonight.
At first I didn’t know how I felt about them coming. Not because I don’t want them to, but because I need to talk to Mom and Clay about my plans. I don’t know how they will take it, and the last thing I want is for them to blow up in front of the guys. The guys coming though, buys me a little time, and right now I’m all about putting things off it seems.
“You know, Grace, this feels like a normal Thanksgiving, just at a different location and without our parents,” Kellan says as he pops a cracker with cheese into his mouth.
Grace smiles as she slices more cheese for the charcuterie board. “You’re right.”
“You guys spend Thanksgiving together?” my mom asks.
“Almost every year since we were in high school,” Kellan confirms.
“Our moms are best friends and basically attached to the hip,” Grace adds.
“Ah, well that’s nice. I’m glad we could give you a little bit of normalcy today then,” Mom says.
Kellan looks over at me. “Fair warning, we do Christmas Eve together too.”
“So what I’m hearing is that I will get to hang out with my brother then too?”
“You know it.” Kellan winks.
“Do you guys have any Christmas Day traditions?” Mom asks.
“Christmas morning is for our individual houses, but that night we all get together and order way too much Chinese food and watch movies and play board games,” Grace says.
“Looks like you’re stuck with me for both holidays.” Clay teases me as he walks into the room.
I scrunch my nose. “And here I was looking forward to the day that I wouldn’t have to see your face across from me at every holiday meal.”
“Cora…” Mom scolds.
“I’m joking!”
“Sure you were,” Clay teases.
The doorbell rings, and the guys leave to answer it.
“Okay, Mom, what do you need me to do now?” I ask as I push up my sleeves.
“Can you start peeling potatoes, please? Grace, when you’re done with that, if you could move on to the green bean casserole, I would appreciate it.”
“Of course.”
The sound of footsteps coming our way has us all looking up. Brett, Beckett, and Wyatt all come into the room holding different things in their hands.
“Ladies, did you miss me?” Beckett teases.
“I literally saw you yesterday,” Grace deadpans.
“Jelly Bean, you wound me.” Beckett clutches his chest like she shot him, making her roll her eyes.
“Hey, Cora,” the guys say as they give me hugs before moving on to Grace.
“Thank you for inviting us,” Brett says as he hands Mom a bottle of wine.
“Yeah, thank you for letting us crash your Thanksgiving,” Beckett says as he sets down a pie.
