Chapter 10 #2
His tongue swiped out along his bottom lip as his gaze locked with mine. “I don’t know about that, but thank you for the gifts.”
“Dinner’s ready, and I’m hungry. Mom won’t let us eat until you two come to the table,” Bridger said, his tone flat, and he made no attempt to hide his irritation.
“You know, you have the patience of a toddler.” Easton raised a brow, setting the birthday gift on the table, where a bunch of other packages sat.
“I’m fine with that. And I think Melody is also annoyed with you for making us wait. It’s a dick thing to do.” Bridger’s lips twitched the slightest bit, and then he and Easton both started laughing.
“Let’s go. This guy gives hangry a new name.” Easton led the way to the dining room, where the conversations were flowing.
All at the same time.
This must be how big families communicate. The home I’d grown up in was never loud. Everything was very—controlled. My father was always working.
I basically grew up with the people who my father employed, and when he was home, we’d have dinner, just the two of us.
I wasn’t complaining. I’d had a very fortunate life.
I’d just bought a gorgeous house on the water with the money from my trust fund.
I was grateful. I was.
But that didn’t mean that I wasn’t lonely sometimes.
Darleen had run our home, and she was more like a mother to me than my own mother had been, if I were being honest. I’d only spent summers with my mom most of my life, so Darleen cared for me day to day.
She even traveled with us when my father and I went on vacations. Thomas had been my father’s driver since I was a little girl, and he’d always attended all of my tennis matches with Darleen before I left for boarding school.
And once I’d met Lulu, I knew she was family.
But I highly doubted any member of the Chadwick family had ever felt lonely.
You could feel the love in this room.
Bridger took his seat beside his father, and Easton pulled out the chair next to where I assumed he was going to sit, as those were the only two open seats.
“We’re so happy you’re here with us, Henley. Sunday dinners are my favorite,” Ellie said as she looked at me, and all the little side conversations came to a stop at once.
“Yeah, yeah. We’re glad she’s here. And she’s as good as Easton, if not better, at pickleball, so that’s also fabulous. Can we eat now?” Bridger asked, and the table erupted into laughter.
Keaton picked up the platter of barbecued chicken and ribs and passed it to Bridger, who I’d just learned was the oldest of the four brothers.
His cousin, Archer, was two years older than him, and he set a piece of cornbread on his adorable baby girl’s plate before passing it to Easton.
There were mashed potatoes and applesauce and baked beans. I’d never seen such a spread before.
“I’m sorry that my oldest son is lacking manners when it comes to dinnertime.” Ellie chuckled. “So, Easton tells me that you graduated from Harvard Law School, and you played collegiate tennis at Stanford?”
Clark whistled as if he were impressed. Easton shot him a look, so clearly, they had their inner dynamic that I wasn’t privy to.
“Yes. I’d been playing since I was a little girl. I still miss it sometimes, but I started playing pickleball for fun during law school, so that helped.”
“Is there anything you can’t do, Henley Holloway?” Rafe asked, his tone flirty.
“Is there anything you can’t do, Henley Holloway?” Easton mimicked him in a dramatic voice, which had the table roaring with laughter again. “Dude. Check yourself. She works with me.”
“Ahhh… the birthday boy is finally speaking. I figured a little flirty banter with your coworker would do the trick.” Rafe winked at me.
“Yes, it’s not dinner without Easton’s sarcasm.” Clark passed the mashed potatoes to his aunt. “But I agree with Rafe. You’re clearly talented.”
Easton groaned and kept his tone low so only I would hear him. “Kiss-asses.”
I chuckled as the conversation continued. Easton left to get a whiskey, and it was a generous pour, and I didn’t miss the looks that passed around the table when he’d returned.
It wasn’t judgment if I was reading them correctly.
It appeared to be something softer. Maybe empathy or sadness or even concern.
I wasn’t certain, but he tipped his head back and downed the amber liquid in one swift move.
“How many times do you think the Chadwicks are going to be mentioned in ‘The Taylor Tea’ this week?” Axel asked, before taking a bite of his cornbread.
“Earmuffs.” Bridger shot a look at his cousin Archer, and without another word, Archer put his hands over his daughter’s ears.
She was completely unfazed and eating her mashed potatoes like they were the best thing she’d ever had.
Her grandmother, Isabelle, sat on the other side of her, helping her along.
“That is some sort of bullshit. What’s their obsession with us, anyway? ”
“Well, we’re clearly handsome and charming and the hottest topic in Rosewood River.” Rafe smirked. “I don’t have a problem with it.”
“You don’t have a problem with them insinuating that something happened with me and Desiree Carson? That was a low blow, even for that asshole column,” Easton hissed.
“No. Because we know nothing happened, and she didn’t actually name you,” Rafe said.
“She insinuated as much. The litigation comment was a dig at Easton.” Bridger reached for his beer. “I think it’s Emilia Taylor sitting behind her keyboard, judging everyone. She’s always had it out for me, and now she’s turned her attention to the whole damn family.”
“Okay, the earmuffs are off. I’d like to eat my dinner. I don’t even read that ridiculous column,” Archer said. “And she didn’t have it out for you. She had a crush on you. I told you that in high school.”
“A crush? She was out for blood. That girl is cutthroat.” Bridger shook his head, and everyone laughed once again.
It must be a Chadwick family dinner thing. They just seemed to know one another so well, and there was a comfort between them that was impossible to miss.
I envied it.
And I was just happy to be part of it, even if was just for one night.