Page 107 of In It to Win It

When I used to believe in big, beautiful forever love.

JP

In my own defense, I’ve been a little distracted, thinking about Taylor. That must be why I decided at the last minute to bring Byron to Grandpa and Chelsea’s place for Christmas dinner.

I don’t even want to go. At Thanksgiving, I vowed I would be the one to host so I could get totally shitfaced and not have to drive anywhere, but that’s not happening. Maybe with a little more time, I could have gotten someplace to cater a turkey dinner, but I’m sure as shit not cooking a turkey myself. I don’t even know how to cook a turkey.

Byron’s happy to jump into my car. He probably thinks we’re going to the beach or to see Taylor. “No such luck, buddy,” I tell him glumly. “I need you tonight to distract my family from giving me shit, okay?”

He looks like he’s smiling back at me. I give him a thumbs-up.

Christ. I’m talking to him like he’s a person. The same thing I used to tease Taylor about.

I went over to Mom and Dad’s place this morning to exchange gifts. Théo and Lacey were there too, all cute and in love. I can’t believe it, but they make me miss Taylor.

Byron’s pretty excited when we get to Grandpa’s. He has no idea where we are and he bounds around the house checking things out, sniffing crotches and searching out food. Everyone loves him, so that’s good.

“Oh, a dog!” Chelsea exclaims. “Come here, boy! What’s his name?”

“Byron.”

“Such a good boy!” She gives him love and attention, which the dude enjoys. I don’t blame him. Isn’t that what we all want? “Is this the dog you’re looking after?”

“Yeah.”

“We need children,” Mom says. “Les enfants. Christmas is so much fun with children. Why do we not have any grandchildren here?”

“We do.” I point at myself, then Théo.

“Tu te crois malin,” she says, basically calling me a smart-ass. “I mean babies. You and Théo need to get going on that.”

“Up to you, bro,” I tell him. “Not happening here.”

“Oh, come on.” Lacey winks at me. “You and Taylor could have beautiful babies.”

“Oh!” Mom looks at me hopefully. “Are things getting serious with you two? I wish she was here! I want to meet her!”

I take the drink Chelsea offers me. Man, I need this.

Luckily, Harrison arrives, so Mom’s distracted by greeting him. And he brought a woman. Jesus, it’s Christmas dinner with the Wynn family—is he insane? He introduces her to us.

“Hi, Jackie, nice to meet you.” I shake her hand. She looks like every other woman Harrison has dated—beautiful, slender, long blond hair.

When Harrison gets to Grandpa, Grandpa smiles at Jackie and says, “Hello, Jenny!”

Harrison frowns and says in a low voice, “It’sJackie,Grandpa.”

Grandpa apparently doesn’t hear him, and says to Jackie, “So nice to see you again.”

I exchange a look with Théo. None of us have ever met this woman before . . . has Grandpa?

Nope.

“You haven’t met Jackie before, Grandpa,” Harrison says, shooting Jackie an apologetic glance.

Grandpa frowns. “She was at the wedding with you.”

Harrison’s face turns scarlet. I smirk, betting he probably wants to drop through the floor. “That was Jenny. This is Jackie.”

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