Everyone gets up and hugs Bella and Carter, and I notice Kiki looking down. I wonder if she feels like the wind’s been stolen from her sails, but it’s not like Kiki to need the attention.
I look at Brand, and he looks straight-up annihilated. He looks … destroyed.
I get up and hug Bella, Carter, and Luna, congratulating them, before heading back to my seat, giving Kiki a quick peck on the top of her head as I pass.
Sitting down, I watch Luna hug Kiki and ask, “Are you so happy?”
“Yeah, Luna, of course I am.”
“I’m gonna have two babies to sit with, like you set with me!” She burst out in laughter.
She’s a freaking doll. Wasn’t born to this family, but it didn’t take more than two minutes with her to realize this is exactly where she belongs. She was part of us immediately.
Doll.
Before even thinking, I have my phone in hand and hit recent calls then message. I type in the address and hit send. Then I type a message.
1:19p.m-Offer still stands … Doll.
I immediately regret it, but whatever. She belongs somewhere, too.
I shove my phone in my pocket and try to forget what I just did.
Fat chance, jackass, I think to myself.
I look up as Kiki stands and hugs Bella. “Congratulations.”
“You, too,” Bella says with a sad smile.
Brand breaks his silence. “Just so I get this straight … Bella and Katy are both pregnant?”
Shit.
“We are.” Bella smiles.
“So, you and Carter are having a kid together.”
“B,” I whisper in warning.
He ignores me and asks, “And Katy?”
“Is pregnant,” she answers for herself.
His jaw tenses, and he begins to nod.
She glares at him, and I wish I had told her that he has the hots for her, instead of trying to stay the fuck out of it. And I’m two seconds from telling him to cut the shit and not push her—hell, we don’t even know who the baby’s father is. All we know is, when she’s ready to tell us, she will.
Then she says, “We’re all family here, except you, but somehow, you’re here, so listen up. I had no idea. Had a busy summer. Shit happens. So, it’s me and myself who are having a baby.”
“You left out I.” He stabs himself in the chest with a finger.
“Fine, it was a threesome.” She shrugs and rolls her eyes. “Me, myself, and I are having a baby.”
Holy fucking shit, I think as I look at Uncle Jase, trying to remember how good an arm he has, so when he launches the bottle sitting in front of him, I can move if needs be.
“Jesus,” Max mutters.
“How far along are you, Bella?” he asks.
“Second trimester.” She smiles.
“So you got pregnant around—”
“You see my kid sitting here?” Carter interrupts him.
Brand nods once.
“As my wife said, she’s about to enter her second trimester.”
Dad clears his throat. “Max, you’re up.”
“Yeah.” Max chuckles. “I’m thankful for Kiki and Truth getting booted out of school so now we can go to Seashore and live where the ocean meets the sand.”
“Same, man.” Amias laughs nervously. “About time we—”
“Katy got kicked out of school?” Brand interrupts them.
I run my hand through my hair and look at Mom, who shakes her head, telling me to stay out of it.
Truth answers, “The nuns were having a bad week. Kind of my fault.”
Brand’s jaw tightens, and he does that angry nodding again.
“You need to chill the fuck out, Brand, or I’m gonna drag your ass out of here,” I warn him.
“You have something to share that you’re thankful for, Brandon?” Jase asks, clearly having had enough of his shit.
“Lot more I’m not thankful for at the moment, so I’ll take a pass.”
“Xavier just told me you’re doing a European tour starting after the holidays. Ten cities, was it, X?” Jase says through his teeth.
Brand doesn’t even look at him; he’s staring at Kiki.
Jase continues, “Just thought of something you should be thankful for, Brandon.”
Brand tears his eyes from her and looks at Jase. “What’s that?”
“Luna.”
“Jase,” Carly whispers softly.
Brand looks at Luna. “I’m thankful for you, I guess.”
Luna grins. “Thanks.”
I kick him pretty fucking hard and whisper, “One more bullshit stunt, and I’m dragging you out of here, Brand. Just shut the fuck up and eat.”
And all goes quiet.
Seventeen Thanksgivings, and I am one hundred percent sure none were ever this quiet.
Dinner isn’t even over when Bekah, Tara, and Mom bring out pie.