Page 179 of Made Better Together

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CONNOR

Amessage comes through the Better Together chat bright and early the next morning.

LANDON: Family breakfast at my place, siblings only. 8:30 a.m.

Grace hearts the message, and Rawley adds a thumbs-up. Guess we’re having Christmas breakfast, just the four of us.

We have practice later this morning, so I bring my packed duffle to Landon’s.

“Hi, I’m here,” I shout as I walk through the door an hour later.

No one responds, and Grover doesn’t make an appearance. Huh.

I step through the living room and finally start hearing voices. “Hello?”

“Con, we’re in the kitchen,” Grace calls out.

She and Rawley come into view a couple of steps later. He’s in front of the stove, whipping up something for us, which means breakfast will be decent.

“Merry Christmas,” I say to them as Grace peers up at me.

She smiles. “Merry Christmas.”

“Are you still hosting an official family dinner tonight?” Pam, Lainie, her kids, and everyone’s significant others are supposed to attend.

“Oh yes…we just…wanted the four of us this morning.”

Hmmm. “Where’s Landon?”

“He’s walking Grover.” Grace opens one of the cabinets. “Help me set the table?

That process isn’t overly complicated for a breakfast involving four people, so we’re done in a minute. I notice she keeps flashing looks in my direction, like she’s checking on me.

“The French toast is ready,” Rawley declares. “We have syrup?”

“Let me grab it.” Grace moves to the fridge, but as she does so, she turns her head to peek back at me again.

Crap, they’re going to try to make me talk about what happened with Mom, aren’t they?

Rawley sets down the plate of stacked French toast. “Take some while it’s hot.”

The back door opens as he sits down. “Sorry, that took longer than I expected,” Landon says, Grover in tow.

“No worries, food’s ready,” Rawley replies.

“Merry Christmas, Con,” Landon says as he catches my eye.

“Same to you.”

A minute later, everyone is settled, everyone is eating—and everyone keeps looking at me.

Might as well start the ball rolling on the elephant in the room. “We’re sure Mom went back this morning?” Sometimes her threats can mean nothing.

“Yes,” Grace responds. “She checked out of the hotel, and the invoice was emailed to me.”

“Well, I’m sorry about last night. That it messed up your party.” Maybe I can get away with just that apology?