Page 121 of Every Broken Piece
“Your dad made me go hiking with a hangover.”
“Oh, man. That’s some extreme punishment.”
I wave my hand in the air. “It was fun, and no harm done. I hope you didn’t get in too much trouble.”
He shrugs. “I got a long lecture. He said I needed to be careful with you because you’re special.”
I blink. “He said that?”
“Yeah. It was weird. But anyway, I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay and I had fun. I’ve never done that before.”
“Get drunk?” He looks surprised.
“Get drunk. Played a drinking game.”
“Seriously? You need to get out more.”
I laugh. “I’m beginning to see that.”
He looks around. “Where’s Dad?”
“He should be home any minute.” Home. I try not to put too much faith in that word but it’s becoming more and more difficult.
“You coming with us?”
“Yes, she’s coming with us.” Gabe walks in and I can’t help my smile or the way my heart flips seeing him. His expression softens as he walks straight to me, kissing me gently on the lips.
I pull back, glancing at Pax but he’s smiling so I guess me with his father is okay with him. I’ll have to remember to ask Gabe what the protocol is when Pax is home.
“Where’re we going?” I ask. I’d thought the dinner date was just Gabe and me but apparently, it’s Pax too. I don’t mind in the least.
“It’s Thursday night,” Pax says as if that explains everything.
I must look confused because Pax says, “Dad and Jack and I meet for dinner every Thursday night. We’ve been doing it since I was little.” He turns to Gabe who’s pulling his tie off. “How long have we been doing this?”
Gabe tosses his tie on the back of the couch and shrugs out of his suitcoat. “I don’t know. Fifteen years now?”
“Oh.” I take a step back, my heart sinking as I suddenly feel like the proverbial third wheel.
Gabe’s head shoots up and he pins me with a concerned look. “You’re coming, right?”
“I don’t think... I don’t want to intrude on a family tradition. I’ll stay here and make a turkey sandwich.”
Gabe tosses his coat on top of his tie and stalks toward me.
“But you have to come,” Pax says. “You’re part of the family now.”
Startled, I jerk my gaze to him. “I’m not, Pax. This is something you and your dad and uncle do.”
“And now you,” Gabe says as he stops in front of me, studying me, trying to read my mind.
“You three go do your thing. I’ll be fine.” I try to sound airy and unconcerned. Instead, it comes out strangled.
“Tess.” Gabe takes both my hands. “We want you there. All of us. Jack asked if you were coming.”
“Yeah,” Pax says. “We want you to come.”
