Chapter 27 #2
You dick! I flinch as Rudy explodes. What the hell are you doing?! Get your disgusting hands off of my sister!
Lauren and Joey freeze mid-makeout. It’s almost comical the way her eyes flash open as she snaps back to reality, trying to shove Joey away.
Rudy! she squeaks, hopping down from the counter. She takes up a protective position in front of Joey, probably worried he’s about to leave the Hamptons with a broken nose.
Joey’s face is now roughly the same colour as his hair, and he’s staring at his best friend with wide, fearful eyes.
This is none of your business. This is my life and— Lauren launches into a speech she’s probably practiced dozens of times, ready to put Rudy back in his place in case this exact situation ever happened. But she doesn’t get a chance to finish.
Rudy rushes in, grabbing Joey by the collar.
You asshole! he yells. Did the bleach finally damage your brain?
My sister is off limits! I’m not letting you add her to a list of hookups that’s longer than the yellow pages.
I know she seems tough and chill, but she’s super sensitive. I won’t let you hurt her. What the fu—?
Rudy! Lauren screams, shoving his chest with all her might, making him let go of Joey’s collar.
I jump into the fray, too, grabbing Rudy around the waist and pulling him away. I can practically see steam pouring from his ears.
I’m two damn minutes older than you are, Lauren hisses. And that makes me a whole lot more mature. I don’t know where you got this absurd idea that you’re supposed to protect me from everything and everyone, but it’s not true. I make my own decisions. And Joey is my decision!
Joey opens his mouth to join the conversation, but I overhear Lauren as she softly mutters Bad idea, babe.
Babe?! Rudy’s eyes are the size of hubcaps as they dart from Joey to Lauren and back. How long has this been going on?!
Rudy, Joey says carefully.
You have no idea how awful he is to women, Lauren. Rudy’s pointing at Joey, his finger shaking. You don’t want to know how many hearts he’s broken.
I doubt his number’s any higher than yours, little brother, Lauren counters. I seem to remember you being way worse than him before Emma straightened you out.
That shuts Rudy up for a few seconds as he gives me a quick apologetic glance.
My arms are crossed now, and I’m staring at him with raised eyebrows. So you were worse than he was, huh? I ask sternly.
I mean . . . I, uh . . .
Oh, one hundred percent! Lauren yells out. So please stop being such a hypocrite. I’m a grown woman and I know Joey about as well as you do, so I’m walking into this with eyes wide open.
On top of everything, he’s my best friend! Rudy gives Joey a furious glare. Best friends don’t maul each other’s little sisters!
Older sister, Lauren says dryly, setting the record straight.
Rudy. Joey looks him right in the eye, his expression pleading.
I’m sorry, man. Really. But I’m serious about her.
All those other women . . . Distractions .
. . from Lauren. I’ve been so into her for so long .
. . He awkwardly runs a hand through his hair before shoving both hands into his pockets.
In the silence that follows, the men stare each other down like two boxers after a few punishing rounds. I suppress an urge to break the tension with a monologue about the wild waves I saw earlier.
So your bright solution was to hook up with other women? Rudy gives him an angry look. What kind of messed up logic is that?
I thought it would help me get over her, but it didn’t work. I’m sorry, man. He drops his eyes in remorse.
Would you call it all off if I asked you to? Rudy asks as he keeps staring directly at his friend.
Joey looks up again, swallows a few times, then bites his lip. No, he replies, shaking his head. I don’t want to hear her talking about Tinder-dates with other men. I don’t want to hurt her every time I go on a date. I want her to be my girlfriend.
I gasp and look back to Rudy. There’s a pensive furrow on his brow.
That was the only correct answer, he finally growls. That doesn’t mean I like it, though, he’s quick to add when Lauren and I both let out a heavy exhale.
What are you all doing in here? The surprise in Emory’s voice creates a welcome break in the tension.
Lauren looks up, recognizing her opportunity to escape from this Greek tragedy.
Sorry, Mom. We’ll get out of your way, she says, grabbing Joey by the wrist and dragging him to the door.
No, wait. I could use a hand in here. Emory walks over to a set of springform pans. We still need to bake the pies. Oh, and I haven’t made the salads yet.
We spend the rest of the afternoon helping Emory in the kitchen.
Rudy’s cooking skills are more or less limited to peeling apples.
But Joey turns out to be a bit of a wizard in the kitchen, chopping cucumber with the precision of a Japanese chef.
I work on the dough for the pumpkin pie and Lauren lends a hand where she can.
Once we’re all sat together around the table that evening, Thanksgiving dinner is everything I imagined—and more.
There’s conversation, laughter, and so much joy as we feast on Emory’s outstanding cuisine.
It’s all so cozy and intimate and I feel a real sense of comfort.
But knowing that I won’t be seeing my own family for Christmas, this night makes me miss them all the more.
I watch as they all interact with each other.
Lauren teasing Elliot, telling him the turkey’s ghost is going to be hiding under his bed tonight.
Joey, looking like a hopelessly smitten puppy, as he sneaks glances at her.
Emory and her husband caught in laughter, him wrapping an arm around her and pressing a kiss to her temple.
Rosie, trying to give her dad a taste of her mashed potatoes, but shoving them into his nose instead.
And I watch the man sitting next to me, taking little breaks to whisper into my ear.
A warm feeling floods my body. To have met all these incredible people—I’m really and truly blessed.