Page 63 of Crave

“Mom, you know I don’t usually go for the Fourth.” Jake speaks calmly but I can tell he’s irritated.

“We thought it would be different this year, honey. It will be fun, Sandy.” Lil looks over at me, her eyes filled with hope.

“It sounds nice, but my mom has a party every Fourth. It’s one of the few days of the year that she closes the bakery early. My sister and I help her with everything.”

Lil looks defeated, but I can tell she’s trying to figure out a way to get Jake on the Vineyard for the holiday.

“So, Tracy,” Theresa chimes in. “I’m definitely throwing you a shower this time. We can have it here. Women only.”

Tracy wants this shower. I can see it by the hopeful look in her eyes. She looks towards Lilian who does nothing but sip her drink without so much as a look in Tracy’s direction.

“Why didn’t you have a shower last time?” I ask without taking the time to think about the question.

More awkward silence, and everyone looks around, avoiding the question.

“Because they were keeping it a secret,” Jake says, taking a slow sip of his beer.

“We weren’t keeping anything a secret. Things were just tense enough at that time.” Troy throws a protective arm around Tracy, whose cheeks have suddenly reddened.

“Right. Well things are just peachy now, aren’t they? Let’s go back outside, Dee.” Jake takes my hand and starts to steer me outside.

“Look, nobody needs to go outside. Jake, come on. Let’s just act like adults for once.” I cringe at Troy’s words when I feel Jake’s body stiffen next to me even more than before.

“There you are, Uncle Jake.” I’ve never been so grateful to see a four year old run across a crowded room in my life. Emma follows close behind him. Luke runs after them, both kids laughing and screaming in their attempts to run from him. Tristan runs into Jake’s arms without any warning. Jake’s caught off guard and nearly drops his beer but manages to hold onto both at the last second.

“Whoa, buddy.” Once Tristan is ensconced in his uncle’s arms, he sticks his tongue out at Luke.

“I’ll get you later, Trist.”

“Nuh uh. Uncle Jake won’t let you.”

Luke looks over as if noticing me and Jake for the first time and lets out an obnoxious snort.

“He’d have to give a damn about someone other than himself.” He says it under his breath, but everyone heard it. Lil slams her drink down on the island and glares at her son.

“What’d you say, Luke?” Jake takes a step closer to his brother, and Luke takes one step closer to Jake.

“I said you’d have to care about someone other than yourself.” This time he says it loud enough for the entire room to hear.

“Lucas! Get your ass over here.” Josh appears and grabs his younger son.

“He said ass,” Emma snickers.

“How about we go outside? Emma, did you find those drawings? I can’t wait to see them,” She squeals in excitement and grabs my hand, and the four of us walk out of the tension filled room.

Once we step outside, Emma pulls on my shirt and points me towards an empty table, while Tristan begs his uncle to play catch with him. We walk to the table and Tristan grabs a ball before pulling his uncle away.

Emma keeps me busy for several minutes with the pictures she’s drawn as well as drawings of all the princesses that she has colored, but each time she hears Tristan laugh, she looks over in their direction.

“I’m going to go play. I’ll be back.” She takes off across the yard, leaving a mess of papers and crayons on the table. I start to organize the papers when Troy and Tracy make their way outside.

“I can do that, Sandy.” Troy reaches for the bag and starts to shove papers inside while Tracy sits down, her huge belly protruding in front of her.

“It’s fine. Emma’s a great girl.” Unsure of what else to do, I stand, swinging my arms awkwardly and watch as Jake and the kids play soccer. “I think I’ll go get myself something else to drink,” I say, unable to stand the tension for another second.

“Sandy, wait.” I stop mid-step, turn to face Troy, and wait for him to speak. “I don’t know what my brother has told you.” I look from him to his wife, who is watching us with rapt attention.

“Told me about what?” I ask, feigning ignorance.

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