11. Veronica #2
“Wait, why are you asking Gabe to cook for you? I can make you something,” Morgan asks with a frown.
Shit… I forgot she was there.
“Umm…” I look around, wanting to cover my face with the pillow I had, but remember I just threw it at Noah. “Because Gabe is a good cook,” I mumble quickly, hoping she won’t hear me.
“What?” She leans in like it might help her hear me better.
I sigh and close my eyes, dropping my head back. “Because Gabe is a phenomenal cook, and his food is to die for!”
When I open my eyes, I find her gaping at me, looking completely flabbergasted. Suddenly her face contorts into an angry scowl as she turns her attention to the man in question.
“I have been feeding you for years! And this whole time you could cook!?” she shouts, her voice going to a concerning high pitch. “I took pity on you, thinking you didn’t know how to make your own food!”
He chuckles and rubs at his neck with a slightly embarrassed blush on his cheeks. “Yeah… sorry about that.”
“Why are you guys yelling?” Emma appears with Greyson in the kitchen, followed by Cecilia, Silas, and Milo, their dog.
“Gabe can cook.” Morg flaps her hands at her sides. “And apparently, as my supposed friend Ronnie pointed out, he’s phenomenal at it!”
“Oh, you should have kept your mouth shut about that, Sweetie,” Cecilia says with a giggle, but then scrunches her face and rubs at her temple.
“I’ll get you some Advil.” Silas kisses the top of her head, then looks up at us. “Anyone else need?” There’s a series of grunts and raised hands. He chuckles and turns for the hall. “I’ll just bring the bottle.”
“How is he in good shape, too? What is this magic cure you two seem to possess?” I ask astounded, as I watch him walking away like he’s in top shape, then turn to Morgan.
“I have a better question. How did we get here? I can’t remember anything,” Aubrey admits in a small voice. She looks so uncomfortable.
“I stopped drinking pretty early on, so I drove one car home. And Silas only had one drink, so he took the other.” Oh, that’s right. I forgot Silas only ever has one drink. The poor thing is still traumatized from what happened with his wife the last time he got drunk.
“Now that I think of it, I thought you weren’t supposed to be drinking either?” Em calls as she wanders over and plops down beside me on the couch.
“Shit, that’s right.” Noah sits up and rests his hand on my knee. “Are you feeling okay?”
I place mine over his and give a reassuring squeeze. “I’m fine, I promise. The cramps usually only last about twenty-four hours, and then they’re pretty normal if not gone altogether.”
“Okay, but if you feel anything, let us know.” He smiles tenderly.
“I love how much these two worry about you. It’s like one of those why choose romance books you read, Cece,” Emma says as she looks up at Cecilia, then back down to me. “It’s okay to love them both.” She pats my other leg with a wicked smile.
“I did,” Aubrey finishes.
“Where have I heard that before?” I rack my brain for that specific quote.
“Vampire Diaries,” the girls all answer at once. Oh yeah, now I remember. Morgan had started watching it a few months back and roped us all into it.
“Hey, if you three get serious. How would that work with kids and marriage? I mean, would the child call both of you Dad? And you can only marry one person, so that kind of leaves the other one left out,” Clay asks out of nowhere, still huddled under his flowery blanket.
“Clay,” Morgan warns, clearly telling him to shut up.
“What? I’m curious how a relationship like that would work.
Like, do you all share one bed? Date nights happen all together?
And sex, are you allowed to sleep with just one at a time or like always together?
” he continues. “Imagine the introduction to the parents. ‘Hey, Mom and Dad. These are my boyfriends.’… Awkward…” Clay chuckles, and I’m starting to suspect he’s still not sober.
He’s usually pretty quiet, always serious, and never really makes jokes.
“CLAYTON JOSEPH BURKLEY! Stop talking this instant. Their relationship is none of your business. Let them figure out their story on their own,” Morg barks at him with her hands on her hips.
“It’s not my fault my brain is going crazy with questions. It’s your fault I drank so much,” he grumbles.
“Hold up!” Gabe shouts from the kitchen. “Your name is Clayton?!”
Clay groans.
“How is that possible? I’ve seen your driver’s license. It only says Clay Burkley,” Emma adds in.
“I had it changed when I was eighteen,” he grumbles again.
“Clay!” Cecilia gasps. “How could you have hidden this from me? You’re supposed to be my brother.” They aren’t actually siblings, but they have a really close friendship.
“Sorry, C. No one but my wife, Silas, and my parents know that horrendous name exists.”
She turns to her husband with a gaping mouth. “You knew about this and didn’t tell me!? I’m shocked. Absolutely shocked.”
“Sorry, babe. I’ll make it up to you later, promise. But Clay’s got a point, though, how would that all work out?” Silas asks with a raised brow.
I grunt. “Can we stop with this ridiculous conversation? There’s no relationship.
I’m not getting married. I’m not having any babies, and I’m not dating either of them.
So, drop it!” I shout, causing silence to fall on the room.
I get a mumbled apology from Silas and Clay as everyone else carries on with their own things.
When I gaze down at Noah, I find him looking down and frowning, then I turn to Gabe in the kitchen and notice him carrying a sad expression as well.
I instantly feel bad for my comment, but I shouldn’t.
This is my life. I decide who I want to be in a relationship with.
I decide who I want to marry and have children with.
So why do I feel like shit knowing my words may have disappointed them?