16. Abby #2
“Well, you can’t get all handsy like that and expect it not to raise questions,” River says.
Clay keeps looking at River with a confused expression, then realization seems to dawn on him when he looks at Kennedy. “You dicks. No, don’t come at us asking about our relationship status so you can go and get your payout. Stop with your stupid bet!”
“You’re no fun, Clay!” Kennedy pipes in.
“You’re becoming as bad as him,” Clay says.
“Well, I hate when he wins, so you could help a girl out!” she yells back.
I watch them volley back and forth, my eyes pinging from left to right across the table as they continue to throw jabs at one another.
“Enough, you two! Can we please focus on the matter at hand? I need to figure out how to tell my parents because I do not want to be stressed right now. It’s not good for the baby or for me.” I look at Clay, and he rubs my back.
Right then, River points at us because of the signs of affection, and Clay gives him the bird. I hold back a laugh because the two of them might be nearing thirty, but their maturity is closer to sixteen.
“Okay, what if you invite them for a visit and you simply do a little lunch—which I can go grab for you—and just tell them? Nothing fancy or crazy extravagant, and that’s it.
Done. Then it’s out in the open, and you can feel supported, and I’m here for you to have reinforcements.
Your mom can yell at me if she wants. I can handle it.
No problem. Then River can swing by so your mom can dote on him for a bit.
It’s perfect.” Clay smiles, and River smirks because he’s all about being doted on.
As he finishes, Kennedy gets a call—“I’m so sorry, I have to answer this for work,”—and picks up her phone and walks into the kitchen.
“I think it’s a great idea. May as well do it in person. If you go out there, your mom will try to make you move back to California, and Collette is sort of all about getting her way. That way, you’re where you’re most comfortable and can say what needs to be said,” River explains.
“You don’t mind doing that? Like being available to grab the food and even be tormented by her if she gets a bit difficult?” I ask Clay.
“For you? No,” he says, brushing my hair away from my eyes and tucking it behind my ears.
“Perfect, so it’s settled. Mother dearest is coming to Boston then?” River asks.
“River, I told you not to call her that, remember?” I whisper-yell.
He holds his hands up in surrender. “Sorry, sorry, you’re right. She’s a saint. I’m sorry.” Although he’s not the least bit sorry. He’s smiling and knows exactly what he’s doing.
I turn my attention to Clay. “And just so you know, before I left California, my mom did say she would work on being kinder, so I do hope she fulfills that promise when she comes out here.”
“I don’t expect anything from her,” Clay says.
My mom was never blatantly rude to him, but she wasn’t overly nice to him either.
She was always just indifferent, even when he put an effort to make her feel welcome.
I hope she’ll attempt to make him feel appreciated because even if we are divorced, we are now going to co-parent together.
“What about telling our mother, Clay?” River asks.
“Oh, I went over there after the appointment.” Clay smiles.
“Without me?”
“Yes, River. I didn’t know I had to include you in my pregnancy announcement with Mom.” He rolls his eyes, and River looks offended.
“We’re twins, Clay. We do everything together,” River explains. “I’m truly hurt, man.” He puts his hand to his heart. “I would have waited for you.”
“Really? So when Kennedy announces she’s pregnant, you’re going to call me, ask me to head to Mom’s house, then have me be a part of your pregnancy announcement like I’m a part of this whole thing with you and Kennedy?” Clay asks.
“Of course!” River says, with no hesitation whatsoever.
“River, I love you, but you’re full of absolute shit. There is no way Kennedy would do that. Plus, that’s not a twin thing to do. It’s a ‘you and Kennedy’ moment, not a ‘me and you’ moment. I just wanted to sit with Mom to explain to her what was going on, that’s all.”
“I’m completely fucking with you.” River laughs. “I never expected you to have me there. I just wanted to see you talk your way out of that one. I loved every second of that.”
He throws his head back and laughs as I roll my eyes. It’s hard to understand how Kennedy handles this Nichols brother half the time. He’s too much.
“Hey, I’m going to grab some water for Lola. The bowl still under the sink in the kitchen?” he asks.
“Yep. The cabinet to the left, last I saw,” Clay answers.
“Perfect, thanks.” River gets up and heads over to the kitchen.
I turn to Clay. “You’re sure you’re okay with all this? I mean, it’s a lot to take in.”
“It’s happening, no matter how fast or slow it’s going, Abby,” he says as if this isn’t a huge adjustment.
“Well, we still have a lot to talk about.”
“Yeah, like the living arrangements and the fact you’re being stubborn about it.”
I huff and roll my eyes. “Not this again.” I sit back in my chair and rub my temples.
“Oh, we haven’t even scratched the surface, baby. You can’t resist my charms,” he says, and I’m not sure if he’s still talking about just moving in or about something else entirely.
I’m about to press him on the subject when I hear a commotion in the kitchen.
“River, what are you doing on the—get up from the floor. What are you—No, not another fake proposal. Goddamn it! You’re such an asshole!” Kennedy yells.
I look over at Clay, and he can’t contain his laughter. Those two are either going to kill one another, or they’re perfect for each other. Either way, they’re entertaining to watch along the way.