Page 52 of We Thought We Knew It All
His eyes burned into me.
“Explain,” he finally said.
“Maybe we could go somewhere privately and talk,” I pleaded.
“Screw that. Tell me what the hell this guy is talking about.”
“Jamie.” The tears came faster. Colby moved to my side, lending me his support and also cutting off Dylan’s line of sight at the same time.
“You need to tell him, Callie,” Colby said quietly. “It’s time.”
I shook my head and stepped around my brother to face Dylan. “You. I want you out of my house right now.”
His eyes softened for a moment and he nodded, adding gently “We have things to discuss.”
“It’s Thanksgiving, Dylan. What did you expect to accomplish today?”
At least he had the decency to look sorry. Things hadn’t always been bad between us - only in the last year of our marriage. There’d been a lot of holidays where he was part of the family. Now he was the unwelcome guest. He seemed to get that. He shot Jamie one last hard look and left.
“I need a drink.” I stalked past Jamie on my way to the kitchen. The wine was already on the table, so I pulled at the cork and poured myself a large glass. It had a calming effect as it hit my throat. I’d expected to have this conversation at some point with Jamie, but not like this. His accusatory gaze entered my mind, and I took another gulp of wine.
That was what Thanksgiving had turned in to. Me, in the kitchen, gulping wine alone. Not for the first time, I wished Kat was there. She’d know what to say. She’d been urging me to tell Jamie for years - or at least get Jacks tested so I’d know for sure. But no, Kat was with Noah’s family and I was living my mistakes.
I’d been so scared to test Jacks. When I was married to Dylan, I worried what it would do to their relationship if we found out Dylan wasn’t his father and Dylan had agreed. Since coming home, I’d been seeing Jamie in Jacks and the fear had changed. I’d wanted Jamie to be his father - as messed up as that was - but I knew there was little chance. We’d only slept together once.
But it was time we all knew.
I wasn’t ready for this.
The smell hit my nose before I saw the tiny wisps of smoke coming from the oven. I put my glass down and grabbed the oven mitts. When I opened the oven, I was hit with more smoke and the stench of burnt meat. I pulled the turkey out.
“Dammit!” It was coated in black char. Why had I thought I could do this? Amber had offered to host thanksgiving, but I wanted to thank everyone for their help getting the restaurant up and running and with the boys, but I failed.
Glaring at the charred bird, I refilled my wine glass and sat at the table as the tears rolled down my cheeks. My back heaved, and I buried my face in my arms.
Soft footsteps sounded behind me, but I didn’t look up. A little arm came around my shoulders. “Mom,” Jacks said. “Are you okay?”
Pushing my glass away, I lifted my head and stared into the eyes of the boy whose very origins were being questioned. He was the boy who’d saved me and brought me so much joy during my hardest times.
I gave him a sad smile and ran a hand over the top of his head, but didn’t answer his questions.
“It doesn’t smell too good in here,” he said.
I laughed. “No. Mommy isn’t such a good cook.”
“Jackson.” My dad appeared in the doorway. “I told you not to come in here.”
“But I heard Mom crying. I had to come.”
What did you say to that? My dad smiled. Jackson was a sweet boy, and his hugs could cure anything.
“Colby has been making everyone give you space,” my dad explained.
My brother knew me well.
“Is Jamie still out there?”
He shook his head. “He said he had to clear his mind, but that you’d know where to find him.”
