BIG ROTTY
Halfway through the meal, while we were all laughing and telling stories, I made the mistake of placing my hand on Kaidan’s upper thigh without thinking.
He let out a groan loud enough to silence the room. I slipped my hand back into my own lap, and Kaidan cleared his throat.
“Wow,” he said. “The corn pudding is fantastic.”
I snorted, which started a round of snickers. Patti smiled at Kaidan like he was a precious boy.
“Isn’t it good? Anna found the recipe a few years ago. She’s a great cook.”
“Mm-hm.” Kaidan gave a tight-lipped smile. “That she is.”
“I made the sweet potatoes!” Ginger said.
Blake put an arm around her. “And they are awesome, girl.” He winked, and she eyed him suspiciously until he took a huge bite of the gooey yams. His eyes rolled back and he moaned as loudly as Kaidan had. We all laughed, and Ginger backhanded his arm, whispering, “Git.”
Patti looked like she was in heaven. “They’re perfect, Ginger. Thank you—thanks to all of you for your help. This was the best holiday meal of my life, and I’ve had some pretty good ones.” She winked at me.
“Everything was wonderful, Miss Patti,” Ginger told her, earning a pleased smile.
“Well, everyone eat up.”
Every guy at the table reached out, not hesitating.
“Anna,” Marna said. “Pass the potatoes, please.”
I reached for the bowl just as Ginger snorted a laugh. “You can’t be serious. You’ve already had a serving. That’s enough for you.”
Marna’s cheeks reddened. “I know, but I’m still hungry.”
Ginger pursed her lips, giving her sister a challenging glare.
Kaidan took the mashed potatoes from my hand. “Give it a rest, Gin. Let her eat.”
He passed the bowl across the table. Marna was too upset to take it now, so Jay did. He gave Kaidan a grateful look before spooning more onto Marna’s plate for her. Then Jay kissed her cheek. She stared at her plate without moving.
“If you so much as gain a pound, Astaroth will notice.” Ginger’s voice was steely.
Patti wiped the corners of her mouth with her napkin, clearly not comfortable with the direction things were heading.
Still staring at her plate, Marna said, “We all know I’m going to gain a lot more than a pound. I’ll just have to find ways to avoid him. We rarely see him as it is.”
“So, you’re just going to let your appearance go and hope for the best?” Ginger challenged. “Fine. Have at it. Enjoy.” She waved a hand toward Marna’s plate.
“Ginger—” Kopano eyed her, and Zania placed a hand on his forearm.
“No, it’s fine, Kope,” Marna said, standing. She dropped her napkin onto her plate. “I need the loo.” She rushed from the dining room, and every set of eyes at the table went to Ginger.
“What?” Ginger said to us all. “Would you prefer Marna and the stupid baby be killed before she even has a chance to have it?”
“Don’t ever say that again,” Jay said in a low voice.
She glowered at him. Kaidan reached down and took my hand.
“It’s the truth,” Ginger said, her voice rising. “And don’t presume to understand things you can’t possibly. You’re just a stupid human boy, and this is all your bloody fault!”
“I know she’s in danger! I know it’s my fault, and I know what’s at stake—”
“You’ve no clue!” she screamed.
“I know she needs her sister now more than ever, and her last memories are going to be of you yelling at her!”
“I’m the only damn person trying to keep her safe!”
“Okay,” Patti said. “Both of you. Please . . .”
Jay and Ginger were seething, shaking. Sadness swept across the room.
“You both love Marna,” Patti said. “And you have different ways of showing it. Ginger is right that Marna needs to be careful and keep the pregnancy hidden as long as possible, in a healthy way. And she’s going to need everyone’s love and support, especially yours,” she said to Ginger. “Emotions are running high, for good reason. But you’ve got to stick together.”
Jay clenched his jaw and nodded. Ginger let out a breath through her nose, visibly calming a fraction, but her face was still stony.
“Sweet Ginger,” Patti said. “I know she’s your world. Please make the most of your time with her.”
Ginger’s jaw trembled.
Patti said, “Come on.” She put an arm around Ginger and led her from the room.
Jay was still breathing hard. I swiped a stray tear from my cheek.
“This bites, man,” Blake whispered.
“Let’s put this behind us and try to have fun tonight,” I said. Everyone nodded.
When we finished eating, we took the plates and dishes into the kitchen. Kope and Jay both started rinsing.
“I got this,” I told them, nodding to the sink.
“Y’all cooked,” Jay said. “It’s only fair that we clean.”
“What should we do?” Blake asked. He and Kaidan looked lost as they glanced around at the mess.