Blake bent so only I could hear him. “I’m sorry. If you’re uncomfortable we can go. I didn’t think he’d do this today, but I should’ve known better.”
“I’m fine,” I reassured him. I wasn’t, but for him I would be.
Victoria flanked my other side. “Don’t let him bully you. He eats the weak for breakfast. You need thick skin to survive in this house, and I want you to stick around.”
Her words opened my heart to her even more. I had no intention of not “sticking around”. Wearing a huge smile, I took a deep breath and entered the dining room with my head held high.
Mr. Turner looked up briefly. He pushed his drink in front of him and folded his hands, scrutinizing me like the common criminals he came across every day.
I knew Blake and his dad didn’t have the best of relationships, but this was insane. My heart constricted for the man I’d grown to love, knowing how badly he yearned for this wretched man’s approval. Suddenly, I was desperate to help any way I could.
I placed my tray in the center of the table, and Mr. Turner wasted no time scooping his portion. “So, Eva, no family looking to see you on Thanksgiving?”
I cleared my throat, impervious to his brashness. “Actually, they were pretty disappointed I wasn’t coming home, but it was important to Blake that I meet his family, and we didn’t want to be apart for the holidays.”
“So you put the wishes of someone you just met ahead of your family?” Mr. Turner raised his eyebrows in a disapproving manner.
“Not at all,” I countered but kept my tone friendly. “I’ll see my family for Christmas, and I’d hardly classify Blake as someone I just met. We’ve grown quite close.” I filled my dish with a heaping spoonful of stuffing and covered Blake’s hand with my own.
Blake squeezed my fingers. “I’ll be with Eva and her family for Christmas.”
My eyes darted to his, then quickly away. I hoped my shock would go unnoticed. Blake just looked to me like his mind was made up and that would be that.
I unconsciously squirmed in my seat. I hadn’t thought about it since he’d brought it up on our date.
“Does your mother know about that?” Jack asked.
“Do I know about what?” Elaine entered the room, carrying the turkey, and I hurried from my seat to make room on the table.
“Thank you, dear.” She brushed her hands on her apron and then untied it, hanging it over the back of her chair before taking a seat. “So, fill me in. What don’t I know?”
“I’ll be spending Christmas with Angel, Mom. I’d like to meet her family, and we want to be together for the holidays.”
Elaine tensed, clearly uncomfortable with the situation, but seemed to gauge her reaction carefully as I was sure she’d had to do over the years around her husband. “Well, that’s disappointing. You know how I love to see your reaction Christmas morning. But I guess it’s time for me to let that go now that you’re not a little boy anymore.” She smiled a small smile that didn’t meet her eyes, and my heart broke a little for the woman trapped inside who probably hadn’t shown her true face in years.
It dawned on me that Blake had lived his life the same way I had. A lost soul trapped in his own skin. Never able to be himself, even in his own home. We were more alike than I’d thought.
I suddenly associated Mr. Turner in the same category as the person who’d locked me away, and I grew cold. I calculated each word from that point on with venom on my tongue. I wanted him to know what a piece of shit he was for making me feel unwelcome in his home. For making his own son feel unwelcome in his home.
I plastered the biggest smile I’d ever worn across my face and laced my fingers with Blake’s. “My mom will be ecstatic you’re coming home with me. She loves to spoil new guests and anyone who I care about is family in her book. She’ll love you.”
“Sounds like fun. Can I come?” Victoria called from the opposite side of the table.
I grinned at her. “The more the merrier. Holidays are huge in my house. You’ll have a blast.”
Elaine gasped. “You’re not serious, are you, Victoria? I need to have one of you here for Christmas.”
“You’re welcome to come too, Elaine.” I smiled at her.
Elaine blushed, looking down at her napkin, and I hoped I hadn’t taken it too far.
“Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll stay with you.” Victoria put her arm around her mother’s neck and squeezed.
Jack cleared his throat, switching from one uncomfortable topic to another. “So, Eva, what’s your major?”
“Psychology,” I answered, but I was sure he already knew.
“Psychology?” He held his fork in a fist, chewing on a lump of turkey as he scrutinized me. “So you plan to deal with tiddlywinks for the rest of your life?” He sliced another piece of meat.
I blinked. “Excuse me?”