Page 37 of Always a Chance
I wasn’t sure why the door had been locked when we arrived, but Rae opened it for us.
Mrs. Kelly was unruffled. She stepped forward and patted Johnny’s cheek. “That person does not exist, boy.” She shoved him playfully. “You’re just lucky I didn’t let your brothers into the kitchen. They’ve been hovering in the living room, complaining about the tamales being just out of reach.”
“Vipers.” Johnny spared one hesitant glance toward me before disappearing into the kitchen.
Mrs. Kelly smiled when she looked at me. “We’re so glad you’ve joined us, Talia.” She pulled me into a hug. “Most people fall at Johnny’s feet. It’s good to have someone around who challenges him.”
Challenges. It was a strange word for the tether tying me to Johnny, a tether I couldn’t break no matter how hard I tried. I wasn’t sure how exactly I’d help him with this article when my own paper wouldn’t print it, but I’d find a way.
Mrs. Kelly called everyone to the table. Johnny appeared at my side and held out a glass for me. “What’s that?” I stared at it.
“Root beer.”
He remembered. My teenage root beer obsession didn’t follow me to New York. I didn’t drink soda anymore, but I couldn’t help taking it from him and sniffing it as I sat. It smelled of hot Florida summers on the beach and evenings surrounded by this raucous family.
After saying my hellos to the rest of the family, I leaned toward Johnny. “Thank you.” It wasn’t just about the root beer, and we both knew it. I hadn’t realized how much I needed a night like this to feel like coming home wasn’t the worst decision I’d ever made.
Johnny didn’t look at me, but I caught his lips twitching into a smile. Plates of corn tamales stuffed with various meats made their way around the table. The good-looking guy next to Finley, who I assumed was her husband, said a prayer and chatter gave way to the clink of forks on plates and ice in glasses.
I couldn’t remember the last time I had a meal this good. Mrs. Kelly always outdid herself, making way too many sides. And yet, somehow, her family managed to eat every last bit of food on the table.
I caught Finley’s eye across the table, and she smiled, flicking her gaze from me to Johnny and back. When I gave her a subtle shake of my head, her grin only widened.
Johnny and I had struggled to convince his siblings we were just friends since we were fifteen, but that was the truth. One stupid night destroyed by tragedy couldn’t change that. Well, maybe it changed the friends part. After that, we became people who only once knew each other. A past tense sentence that ran on and on without end.
“So, Talia,” Mr. Kelly started from his spot at the head of the table, “what are you up to these days?”
I swallowed a bite of tamale. “Um, I’m a journalist.”
“She’s actually here to interview me.” Johnny’s words made the room go silent as they stared at him.
Cole broke the tension. “Why would she interview you? Did you do something cool like find Jesus on a piece of toast or something?”
Johnny stared at the kid. “I write books, ya weirdo.”
“So?” Cole stuffed a full fork into his mouth and spoke around the food, his words muffled. “What’s cool about that? Books are boring compared to Jesus toast.”
“Cole.” Mariana sighed. “Don’t speak with your mouth full.”
“Oh, sure, chastise him for how he’s speaking, not what he’s saying.” Johnny sent her a playful scowl.
Tanner shrugged. “It’s Jesus toast, dude. Did you really find some?”
“No, I don’t have any toast with a picture of Jesus.” Johnny rolled his eyes. “Cole, I create stories that let people escape for a while.”
“What kind of stories?”
“Romances.”
Cole’s expression went so sour I couldn’t help laughing. “Do they have like dragons and magic?”
“If you consider love to be magic.” Johnny was laying it on thick.
“No way. Love is gross.”
Tanner reached over and ruffled his hair. “I used to think so too, little man. Then, I kissed your mom.”
Cole mimed puking. “Please stop.”
