He makes a face and finally sits down on the stool beside me. Nova stands in the space between his legs, practically on his lap.
“Hey.” She smiles at me, her dark hair curling halfway down her back.
Sometimes, I miss all the different colors she’d dye her hair, but brown really does suit her, which I guess it should since that’s her natural color.
>
“What have you guys been doing today?” I ask, trying to make conversation.
Jace smirks, burying his face in the crook of her neck. “Having lots and lots of fun.”
I snort and reach for another tomato. “I know all about that. That’s why I’m currently in the predicament I’m in.” I point to my round stomach. “Just say no, kids. And wrap it before you tap it.”
Jace laughs and leans forward, biting his teeth slightly into Nova’s shoulder.
“Are you guys ready to eat?” Rae asks. “We can start with the salad and then I made breaded chicken breasts, broccoli, and mashed potatoes.”
“Sounds good. I’m starving,” Jace says.
“You’re always hungry,” Nova interjects.
“I’m a growing boy.” Jace smacks his flat stomach.
Rae passes out the salad and since there’s no actual table we all just stay where we are. Rae ends up eating her food standing up in the kitchen. I feel bad, and would normally offer to trade places with her, but I’m pregnant, and my pregnant ass needs to sit.
The salad is delicious but it barely does anything to satisfy my hunger.
I need real food, not bird food.
I’m growing a human, after all.
We finish our salads and Rae clears away our plates, sticking them in the sink, before dishing out the rest of the food.
When my plate is in front of me, I dig into the chicken.
“Mmm,” I hum. “This is delicious, Rae.”
“Actually, Cade made the chicken,” she informs me, and Cade does a little bow.
“On second thought,” I mutter, “it’s disgusting and I don’t want to eat it.”
“Hey,” Cade cries, “no take backs.”
“I’m allowed to do whatever I want,” I tell him, sticking out my tongue. “And I say it’s gross.”
He sighs. “Sisters,” he mutters, eating his own food on the couch beside Xander.
Xander laughs and looks over at me, shaking his head. He doesn’t even bother telling me to be nice to my brother; he knows it’s pointless.
Cade and I might be adults now, but we’re never ever going to grow out of making fun of each other. It’s too entertaining.
Maybe that’s how you know when you’ve surrounded yourself with the best kind of people—when you can make fun of each other, but at the end of the day you know you’d all drop anything to help the other.
Those people are the real deal.
They’re the friends you have forever.
Thea