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Lucas joined them at the end of the big oak table and Three set a steaming bowl in front of him. “I hope you like leftover chili.”
“Love leftover chili,” Lucas said, taking a small spoonful from the side of his bowl. “It’s always better the next day, but Bash probably won’t appreciate it.”
“I suppose not.” Barbara chuckled at his crude humor and set the open bag of corn chips near him.
“Better than a spoon,” Three said, demonstrating his preferred method of eating chili by scooping it up with the chips, and Lucas followed his example. He updated them on the progress with the frames. It was slow, putzy work, but he enjoyed being useful. Lucas pulled up his list of farms he thought they could approach for hive rentals when Four and Alison walked in. He bit back a sigh. He’d tried to review this with Three and Barbara for a few weeks, and each time he did, they got interrupted.
“Sit.” Barbara motioned to the empty seats. “You’re just in time for lunch.”
“We’re already ate,” Four said, sticking his hand in the cookie jar and pulling out a few treats. Both women looked at him. “What? There’s always room for my mom’s cookies.” He gave Barbara a quick kiss on the cheek before joining them at the table. Alison followed behind him, carrying two cups of coffee.
“You’ll be here for Thanksgiving, won’t you, Lucas?” Barbara asked, switching the topic to the upcoming holiday, and Lucas choked down his disappointment.
“I’d like to, but I probably can’t make it. Coach has us scheduled until two.”
“We know,” Alison said, grabbing a cookie away from Four and taking a bite of it. “I’m guessing my last born is being less vocal than usual. You and Bash are both invited.”
“We’re doing the traditional meal on Tuesday, since it’s your day off, and we expect you both here on Thursday after practice to help eat up all the leftovers,” Barbara said. “Unless you’re expected at your parents’ house.” Am I? They assumed he would come after practice, after they’d already eaten, but did they want him to? It’s like I’m an afterthought.
“No, I can be here. I’d love to come. Thank you for inviting me.”
“Can you let Bash know, too?” Alison asked.
“Sure, and it’s really nice that you rearranged everything.”
Barbara flipped her hand at him, as if it were no bother. “We’ve been moving the time and day around for years. Thanksgiving is about family, and it doesn’t matter when we do it as long as we’re together.” Everyone around the table nodded their agreement. Total opposite of my family.
He helped clear the dishes before heading back to the honey house where they stored all the bee equipment. Lucas loved his family, he did, but he felt accepted by the Buchanans. He felt like he belonged here. That he was useful and appreciated for more than his money. Maybe they can adopt me? he thought as he picked up the hammer and then cringed. Scratch that. Maggie as a stepsister is the last thing I want.
“Hey, before I forget, we’ve been invited to the ranch for Thanksgiving next Tuesday.” Lucas said, plopping his feet opposite Bash’s on the ottoman. It had been a long day bent over the frames, but most of the work was done. Right now, he just wanted to chill with a documentary and hit the sack early. He’d rather find a new series to watch, but since he and Maggie kept finding better ways to occupy their time, they hadn’t settled on one to watch as a couple. A documentary was safer.
“I know,” Bash said as Cal walked into the room, freezing mid-step before stepping back, looking like he wanted to flee.
“Not so fast. Why’d you tell Bash and not me?”
Cal leaned on the back of the couch and shrugged his shoulders. “Must have slipped my mind.”
“Bullshit,” Bash coughed under his breath, not looking up from his screen.
“Don’t give me that,” Lucas said to Cal. “You’ve been weird since we won the competition, and I want to know why.” He really didn’t want to know. He could have happily bumbled along in ignorance, but Cal was his teammate, roommate, and the brother of the woman he was dating, so he needed to attempt open, honest communication.
Cal crossed his arms in front of him and stared hard at Lucas, hooking his hands under his armpits. If Lucas didn’t outweigh him by a good thirty pounds, Cal’s stance may have intimidated him. “Stay away from Maggie. You’ve hurt her enough.”
How much could he tell without risking a fist to his face? “I know, and I know why winning was so important to her. That’s why I helped her find another option. But it’s all good now, and she’s okay with me.”
“That’s the problem. She’s a bit too okay with you.”
“What’s that mean?” Lucas asked, sounding confused, and scouting out the quickest escape route if this got ugly. And odds were that it could since he’d bent the bro code of not dating your friend’s sister. But that usually only applied to younger sisters and Maggie was older than Cal, so he technically hadn’t broken the rule, only twisted it.
“Maggie’s not like other girls,” Cal finally said, and his implication was clear. She wasn’t a jersey chaser looking for a good night with no expectations the next morning.
“I know. She’s special and incredible and every minute I spend with her, I fall a little deeper. I care about her. A lot. This isn’t a seasonal fling.” Cal’s jaw unclenched a fraction and Lucas breathed easier. Sharing his feelings was going to either save him or cost him. Dearly.
“Should I get the ice cream and we can braid each other’s hair?” Bash joked, and Lucas hurled a throw pillow at him, smacking him in the face. Bash tucked it behind his head.
“Does she know this?” Cal asked, ignoring Bash.
Lucas chuckled. “Are you kidding? I’m waiting for her to catch up. She can be a little stubborn and pig-headed,” he said, causing Cal to snort.
