Epilogue #2
“Oh damn.” Kieran’s eyes widen. “Those look amazing. Caleb, you need to look at this!”
But before Caleb can even get up, Lauren shouts from the kitchen: “Caleb, we need your help!” Her voice sounds is shrill with panic.
Within the fraction of a second, Caleb is on his feet and darts out of the room.
“I’m taking bets,” Kieran declares amusedly. “Do we have a turkey? Ouch!”
“A little more optimism, please.” Henry rolls his eyes, and Kieran rubs the back of his head where he just got a not-so-gentle slap. When did he get in here?
“I’m carrying precious cargo,” Kieran grumbles under his breath and holds up the cat.
“Let’s sit down,” I whisper to Erik. “I have a feeling we’re in the way.” There are way too many people in here.
The moment our butts touch the chairs, Lauren appears in the doorway, carrying a huge casserole dish that smells a lot like mac and cheese.
“Everyone sit down!” She declares with a grin. “It’s dinner time.”
The whole room breaks into cheers, and everyone finds a spot at the very long table.
“Do you think this year we can eat without Chaos bringing more friends?” Nic asks and sets down a huge bowl.
“Honestly?” Kieran grins. “I wouldn’t be opposed to more furry friends.”
“But I’m hungry,” Lauren points out with a pout and crosses her arms in front of her chest. Her face lights up quickly again, when Caleb appears in the doorway, carrying a huge turkey.
No wonder they called him in as reinforcement.
Immediately, several pairs of hands grab things off the table to make space in the center of it.
Caleb sets the beast down with a grunt, making the glasses and dishes on the table clatter. Then he takes a seat next to Lauren, who gives his biceps an appreciative pat.
“I vote we skip the ‘I’m thankful for’ round this year, just to make sure,” Kieran declares, eyeing all the food on the table with hearts in his eyes and his stomach growls as if on cue.
“I’m thankful for everyone here,” Lauren declares. “And I’m sure you all feel the same. With that out of the way, let’s eat!”
“You’re speaking my language.” Kieran reaches for one of Molly’s pizza rolls.
The following minutes are filled with food coordination. So much is going on here, I’m almost a little overwhelmed. Everyone is handing bowls to everyone and asking for gravy and it’s noisy and I’m loving every second of it.
The animals move to the couch at one point. Shadow and Dick are curled up in front of it. Abby decided to hang out with the cats on it instead.
“Everyone dig in,” Nic declares once everyone’s plate is full, a pizza roll already halfway to her mouth.
Kieran is one step ahead. He’s already chewing with closed eyes, and lets out a moan that earns him a crumb flicked at his face by Lauren.
And while all of this is happening, Erik’s thigh touches mine and we exchange stolen glances.
“Holy fuck, these are amazing.” Kieran stares at Molly with what I can only describe as awe.
“Thank you, thank you.” She grins and scoops up some mac and cheese with her fork.
“Are you single?” Kieran asks with a wide grin. “Because I’d marry you for these.”
“Nope,” Erik quickly jumps in and shakes his head. “Uh-uh. Stop it, Kieran.”
“I’m just saying.”
“Kieran!” He says warningly. And I have to say, the low growl he’s putting into his voice? Definitely does things to me. It would do more things to me if we weren’t next to his aunt and surrounded by all of our friends, but I make a mental note for this to become a conversation for another day.
Kieran takes another bite, maintaining provocative eye contact with Erik.
“Sorry, love, you’re not my type.” Molly comes to the rescue with an amused wink.
“You’re breaking my heart, Molly.” He clutches his shirt dramatically, right above his heart and his lips purse in a pout. Only until he scoops up more food, though.
Caleb gets up to get better leverage to cut the turkey when suddenly Erik’s phone rings with the sound level of an air horn, making all of us jump.
“Sorry, work ringtone. I have to take this.” He gets up from the table and disappears into the hallway. Kieran and I shoot each other confused looks, while Henry’s parents seem on the concerned side.
“What?” His shocked voice makes all of us shut up. All of our heads turn to him as he freezes in the doorway. “Fuck.” He runs his fingers through his hair, slowly turning back around and meeting my eyes. “Yeah, got it. I’ll be right there.”
As soon as he ends the call, his expression turns grim. “Guys, I’m so sorry. I’ve got to go. Duty calls.”
“What’s going on?” My heart beats in my throat. More skeletons? Did anything happen with his dad? Molly’s worried expression tells me she’s asking herself a similar question.
“There’s a fire in Kinstead. Apparently, their main square is burning down.” He already pulls on his jacket. “It’s all hands on deck.”
“Can we help?” I ask.
Kieran has already jumped up, face pale as the table cloth. Huh? “I’m coming with you.”
“No, you—”
“I’ve got friends in Kinstead. They live close to the square. I’m coming with you.”
“Okay.” Erik is already storming out. Under different circumstances I’d be mad about him leaving me here with his aunt. Thankfully she seems really cool and considering the urgency, he’ll get nothing but understanding from me.
Kieran stops in the doorway, shooting one last look at us over his shoulder. And by that I mean, he gives the food a wistful look. He changes his mind and runs to the table, grabs another pizza roll, keeps it between his teeth, shoots Molly a wink, and then runs and disappears into the hallway.
The sound of the door clicking shut behind them is almost deafeningly loud.
We all stare at each other in confused silence.
“Kieran has friends over in Kinstead?” Lauren asks in a whisper, lips pursing in a pout. “Why haven’t we met them? Why don’t we know about them”
“No idea.” A worried crease appears between Nic’s eyebrows. Both of them turn to me.
“Don’t look at me.” I lift my hands defensively. “I didn’t know about any friends in Kinstead either.”
“Well, that’s a relief.” Nic jumps up and disappears into the kitchen. Then she reappears with an arm full of containers for leftover food.
“Let’s eat. Then we can check in if they need any help.”
The silence quickly fills with easy conversation again. I learn that Molly and Henry’s parents went to the same school. They spend most of the dinner reminiscing or gossiping about teachers and their shortcomings.
Nic and Lauren ask me about my no more haunted house. Henry and Caleb eat in comfortable silence, occasionally shooting their girlfriends love-struck looks. Nic’s orange cat tries to climb the table at some point and steal some of the turkey, but Henry grabs her with practiced ease.
As I chew on some beans, I let my eyes roam over the room. Suddenly, emotions wash over me and threaten to pull me under.
I can’t believe this is real.
I’m spending Thanksgiving with a room full of people I care for. I have a boyfriend who prioritizes me. This is what I spent so many sleepless nights, so many lonely evenings dreaming of.
Well, in my dreams Erik would be by my side, but I guess a fire does take precedence over turkey. But he didn’t leave me here to wait for him alone. I’m here with friends.
I’m not the girl waiting alone at home for a man who doesn’t bother showing up anymore. I’m spending Thanksgiving with the people I love, knowing the man I love will be right back by my side as soon as he can.
And that’s just about one hundred times better than I could have hoped for a year ago.