Chapter Thirty-Eight - Thalia
MY JAW HIT the floor when I saw exactly who was standing in the foyer of my parents’ house. I’d forgotten a crucial detail about Thanksgiving until I saw Vera and her mom being hugged by my mom.
Mom smiles at me as I descend the stairs into view.“Lia, why don’t you help Anna with her casserole dish.”
Vera’s face pales while her mom beams at me. “Thalia! I haven’t seen you in so long.” Nice. Vera never told her mom, just like I didn’t tell mine. What a mistake that was. Since Vera and her mom moved to town, they’ve always done Thanksgiving with us and the Walkers. Mom and Vera’s mom, Anna, hit it off immediately, paving the way for us to be best friends. They never considered that Vera and I would be interested in Bash.
I muster the best smile I can, because it’s not Anna’s fault Vera made the choices she did. I silently take the casserole to take it into the kitchen. Grandma is checking the turkey in the oven as Owen hovers over her shoulder. “Is Bash here?” he asks, looking past me when his eyes widen. “Oh shit.” I feel better knowing Owen forgot too.
“Not Bash.” I resist the urge to groan, setting the dish on the counter as Grandma hits Owen on the arm with a towel.
“Language,” she scolds, and he rubs his arm.
“Sorry, Grandma.”
I have to get out of here. I walk into the living room where Dad is watching the football game with Grandpa. Owen follows me back out here to take his seat on the couch.
“I’m going to Bash’s for a little bit.”
“Sure, don’t be gone too long, though,” Dad says, but I’m not sure he even realizes he’s talking to me because the next second, there’s a call blown, and they erupt into yelling at the referees. I picked my timing well.
I escape before Mom can tell me no, wrapping my arms tightly around my torso to trap the warmth my sweater provides. The door to Sebastian’s house is unlocked, but I still knock first before entering. I can hear noise coming from the kitchen. Is he trying to make something for dinner tonight?
“Hey, babe,” I call out, announcing my presence as I walk through the halls of the now-empty house. I can’t help the sadness that creeps in at the thought of Sebastian staying here alone now that Mimi’s in a home. I didn’t think about it the other night, but with it being Thanksgiving, I can’t forget he’s alone here.
Sebastian’s standing in a kitchen that looks like it’s been decorated with flour. He managed to get it all over his shirt as well. The sink has dirty dishes that weren’t there yesterday, and he looks helpless. “I tried to make a pie,” Bash explains, and I cover my mouth to keep from laughing.
“And how did that go?”
“Not very well.” He laughs, dragging a hand through his hair, streaking the dark with flour. Why is there so much flour out? “I’m not sure how good it will be compared to Mimi’s, but at least there’s a pie. Everything just got so out of hand quickly, and now I have so much cleaning to do, but I’m already late.”
I can’t help but laugh as I pull my sweater off, careful not to get any makeup on it so I can help him. His attention lands straight on my chest, and I roll my eyes. “Not happening. I don’t want to get my sweater dirty; cashmere is a pain in the ass to clean.”
“Well, if you’re going shirtless, so am I,” Sebastian says, winking at me. At the first sight of his abs, I feel my self-control wane. The smile on his stupid face tells me that Bash knows precisely what he’s doing.
I shrug as if it doesn’t bother me at all he’s shirtless. “Suit yourself.” I grab a bowl to fill it with warm water and soap, dumping all the measuring cups in it so they can soak first. “Why were you trying to make a pie? We have plenty of food at my house. I’ve been cooking all day with my mom and grandma. My parents don’t expect you to bring anything other than yourself.”
Sebastian smiles shyly at me. “It’s my first Thanksgiving as your boyfriend, so I wanted to impress them. Mimi always made a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving, and I thought it would be nice to continue the tradition.”
“Bash, my parents adore you. Maybe even more now that we’re together. I think it’s lovely of you, but please let me help you next time,” I reassure him, and he takes the opportunity to kiss me.My entire body hums happily, and I hope it never stops feeling like this between us.
I get caught in the moment before I step away, shaking my head. “Nope. You’re not distracting me. Your kitchen is a disaster, and we only have a little time before we have to go to my house.”
“But Thalia—” Sebastian complains, and I reach up to wipe some flour off his cheek.
“Sorry, not sorry.”
I wash the dishes while he dries them, and it feels like we’re playing house. If we stay together like he mentioned, is this what life will be like? It’s a nice thought.
“Oh, before I forget, I saw Mimi this morning and picked those up for you. I already put them in a vase,” Bash says, tipping his head to the bouquet of reds and pinks on the counter. I smile at seeing the purple bouquet from our date night and the new addition next to it.
“I love them. Thank you.”
“Beautiful flowers for my beautiful girl.” He winks at me before continuing to dry the dish in his hands.
Cleaning everything up doesn’t take long, but it’s nowhere near spotless. We’ll have to finish later. I grab my sweater as I follow Sebastian to the staircase up to his room, my face heating at the sight of the table we had sex on. I’ll never be able to look at the furniture in his house the same way.
“What should I wear?” he asks anxiously as I finish fixing my hair.
“Just wear what you normally wear,” I reply, trying not to laugh at his nervousness, but he’s known my parents for forever. They’re not going to care what he’s wearing as long as he doesn’t show up naked. It’s cute he cares so much about their opinion.
I sit on the bed and watch him try on three shirts before deciding on a maroon sweater that matches his hair and eyes almost perfectly. My fingers are toying with the necklace I haven’t taken off since Sebastian put it on me, and I smile as he tries to fix his hair. “Is this okay?”
“You look great.”
“I really want today to go smoothly.”
My face falls as I remember why I retreated to Sebastian’s in the first place.
“About that…you see…I forgot my mom is still best friends with Vera’s. Vera is at my house right now,” I explain, hating how his face falls. He forgot too. If I weren’t so irritated she’s at my house, I would think it’s funny everyone has managed to forget her. I wrap my arms around Bash’s waist. “Don’t overthink this. Everything is going to be fine.” I feel like the shit is going to hit the fan actually, but that’s not what he needs to hear right now.
“Lia, I just…we’re in such a good place right now that I don’t want anything to happen.”
“Nothing is going to happen. Let’s go get that pie and face la chienne.” I shudder dramatically, trying to lighten the mood, and Sebastian tries to laugh.
I wrap up the pie, and Sebastian disappears into the basement, bringing up a bottle of wine. “I’m bringing this for your sake. I’m also confident it will taste good since it’s from Mimi’s collection. She had great taste.”
“It’s going to be great,” I reassure him, wishing I could convince myself at the same time.
~
I’m holding my fork so tightly I’m surprised it hasn’t snapped in half. Sebastian is sitting to my left, with my dad at the head of the table on the other side of him. My grandma is across from Bash, Grandpa next to her, then Owen. Anna is adjacent to my mother, and I’m the lucky bitch who gets to sit next to my ex—best friend.
I’ve already refilled my wine glass once, but I don’t want to drink too much as I’m doing my best to hold my tongue.
Most of the discussion has focused on Owen and Sebastian entering the draft in April.
“So do you guys think you’ll end up on the same team?” Grandpa asks, and Bash takes the lead on this question.
“It’s hard to know. We’d have to go in different rounds of the draft if that’s the case. Realistically, we won’t be on the same team, but we’re certainly stronger together,” he answers since Owen is chewing a mouthful of mashed potatoes, preventing him from speaking.
Mom shakes her head, smiling. “Haven’t we talked enough about football? Football has been on the television all morning, and I see all of you checking the score on your phones.”
Unfortunately for her, all the men at the table turn to look at her questioningly. Owen is the one who speaks for everyone. “There can never be enough talk about football.”
I can’t help but laugh because he says it so seriously, and even Sebastian lets out a short chuckle. “Okay, drama queen.” I roll my eyes at my brother.
“I wouldn’t say he’s the drama queen between the two of you,” Vera comments quietly under her breath, and I force a smile on my face. I’m going to stab her with this fork. Underneath the table, Bash rests his hand on my knee to distract me, and I take a few breaths to calm myself.
Anna looks curiously at me and Vera, but I avoid her watchful gaze, taking a large drink of my wine.
“So how long have you been together?” Grandma asks, and it takes me a second to realize she’s referring to me and Bash.
“It’s kind of been on and off again for a little while,” I answer vaguely, glancing at Bash for help.
“Thalia’s not getting rid of me anytime soon.” Sebastian squeezes my leg before pulling his hand back.
“Until a photography opportunity comes along like her year abroad, and she leaves you behind again,” Vera chimes in quietly.
“Excuse me?” I turn to look at her, waiting for her to say something directly to my face.I don’t think she has the balls without alcohol.
Owen interjects quickly, sensing that things are about to go south very quickly. “I think what Vera meant to say was that you had a great opportunity to go to France.”
I dare Vera to say something more, but then the conversation is directed to my trip to France. I have to ignore her if I’m going to get through this meal.
The tension in the room is thick, and everyone is now on edge. The moms aren’t oblivious, and I’m sure they’ve figured out by now that something has shifted in our friendship.
Vera’s comments are fewer after that, but they don’t disappear entirely. She needs to cut this shit out before my self-control wanes.
Sebastian volunteers to help with dessert while Owen clears the table. I get up quietly to follow Bash because I can’t sit next to Vera any longer.
I start to precut the pie and cherry cobbler into even slices just to have something to do, and Sebastian comes up behind me to take the knife from me. “I feel like this is a bad time for you to have a knife.”
“I’m not going to stab her,” I clarify, failing to mention that stabbing Vera with the fork has crossed my mind more than a few times.
He leans down and rests his head on my shoulder. “Lia, you’re doing great.”
“I don’t feel like I am. I feel like I’m going to punch her next time she says something.”
Sebastian kisses the top of my head, rubbing my back reassuringly before grabbing more plates and silverware. “I know, but you have to let it go for now. Just refrain from throwing any fists, okay?”
However, it’s after the pie is served that what’s left of the calm disappears. “Bash, I have to say this pie is incredible. Mirabelle will be sorry she missed it,” Anna tries to offer kindly, and his smile tightens at the mention of Mimi.
“If there’s any left, I thought I might take her a slice. Or I could always make another pie, but I don’t know if I can recreate Mimi’s recipe twice. I’ll have to ask Thalia for help; I made the biggest mess.” Bash laughs at himself, trying to keep the mood light. I haven’t wanted to bring it up yet, but he needs to tell Owen and my parents how bad things are getting with Mimi. He can’t shoulder this forever.
I laugh, shaking my head at my boyfriend. Fuck, I love calling him that, even if it’s just in my head. “I’ll help with the baking, but I’m not going to help you clean up the next mess. You’re on your own for that one, babe.”
Vera interrupts with a scoff. “What about how he’s always there to clean up your messes? Even when he’s a mess because you broke up with him,” she says bluntly, and the table falls into a stunned silence. “We all know it’s going to happen again because you can’t see what’s right in front of you.”
“Vera, seriously don’t.” Owen sighs tiredly, trying to prevent a brawl. She ignores him, looking directly at me for the first time during this meal.
“Really? You want to do this now?” I ask, ignoring Owen because she’s playing a dangerous game.
“Girls—” Anna tries to interrupt, but Vera tilts her head up in the form of a challenge.
“Maybe I do.”
She’s insane. I should have stabbed her with the fork when I had the chance.
“Vera, stop. You’re embarrassing yourself. Let this go,” Sebastian cuts in, clearing his throat as everyone turns to look at him. Vera’s dark eyes widen, but I’m honestly not sure what she expected Bash to say? This was ridiculous before, but she’s literally sitting at my family’s dining table. Vera could show a little respect to them.
The only sounds that can be heard are the clinking of silverware against the plates. Mom and Anna are sharing questioning looks, clearly deciding who is going to ask what happened.
“Is everything okay between you two?” Mom asks, folding her napkin over her lap.
“Mom, maybe we can just talk about this later?” Owen tries to say, and Grandma looks at him in shock.
“Hush, I want to hear what happened,” she scolds as I finish my glass.
“You’ll have to ask her. She’s the one with the problem,” I say, and Vera stiffens next to me.
“Vera, what is Thalia talking about?” Anna asks carefully.
Owen looks at me nervously, clearly waiting for me to explode. I can’t really blame him.
“My problem is that Thalia takes Sebastian for granted. He deserves better than her,” Vera says boldly. I clench my fists, trying to refrain from hitting her because that won’t get us anywhere. Even if I really want to.
“Lia,” Bash says quietly, reaching for my hand. I know I should keep my mouth shut. I know I shouldn’t say anything, but I’m done.
“Better like you? Because kissing Sebastian when you knew we were together is such a great quality, Vera,” I snap, and Grandma coughs to cover her laugh.
“How was I supposed to know you guys were together when you’re only together when it’s convenient for you?” Vera glares at me, and I roll my eyes. That is such a pathetic excuse. She knew.
“Because I was telling you to leave. That should have been the first and only clue you needed, but I told you that Thalia and I were together. You didn’t listen or care before kissing me,” Sebastian says cooly, losing his patience as well. On the bright side, it’s a little nice to see him lose it with someone other than me.
“It’s Thanksgiving. Let’s not do this now,” Mom interrupts, and even though I want to get up to leave, I stay rooted in my seat, doing my best to ignore Vera next to me.
Happy fucking Thanksgiving.