Not a chance.
“Ladies, dinner is served,” Tobias says as he sweeps into the room like my saving grace. I let the others leave first, taking a deep breath in the silence to try and gather myself before this drama show of a dinner. “Are you okay, Briar?”
“Just fine,” I respond with a tight smile. “But if you happen to slip some tequila into my drink with dinner, I’m not going to be disappointed.”
He grins at me, shaking his head. “Wine is on the table already. Pretty sure putting tequila in that wouldn’t go down so well, but I’ll see what I can do.”
“You, Tobias, are a freaking god!”
He chuckles as I walk past him into the hall. “Anything for you.” He winks at me and heads in the opposite direction toward the kitchen.
I enter the dining room and take in the sight before me… including the smirk on the twins’ mom’s face when I notice that Jessica and Susie are seated by them both, with their parents cropping them in. Then I realize my seat is between Travis and Cole.
At least Cole won’t make this insufferable. Except he’s looking at me like he’s about to apologize to me. I glance at Travis and he lookspissed.
Oh, fuck. What did I miss already?
I don’t say a thing as I head to the empty space and Cole stands, pulling the chair out for me. I thank him as I sit, and wince when Travis chugs his drink in one breath and slams the glass down on the table.
I dare a look at the twins but neither of them will look at me, and a pit forms in my stomach.
What the hell is going on?
Before I get the chance to ask, most of the table is swept up into conversation about shit I don’t care about as Tobias and the other staff bring out the mountain of food that’s been prepared for today. I really wish I’d just spent the day volunteering at the shelter like I’ve done the last few years.
I have absolutely zero appetite, and just being here is setting me on edge.
Chase says grace and everyone goes around saying what they’re thankful for. I mumble something about new beginnings before we start to eat. But I don’t taste a thing as anxiety knots my stomach. I barely manage a few mouthfuls throughout the entire meal, and I don’t touch the wine.
I get the feeling that whatever is coming, I don’t want to be intoxicated for it.
Or maybe I’m wrong and I should be hella intoxicated. It’s a little too late for that now though, as the staff reappear and start clearing away the dessert dishes. I didn’t even touch my pie, which is basically unheard of, but anxiety has a way of stealing my appetite.
When most people are distracted, I finally manage to gain Cole’s attention. “What the hell am I missing?” I hiss at him quietly, trying not to draw attention to us.
“I’m sorry,” is all he says before Chase stands, clearing his throat.
“This year we have so much to be thankful for. For my new wife and stepdaughter. For my new venture. The support of my friends, but we also have another announcement.”
Oh, fuck. Not this again.
I grip the edges of the table, trying to stop myself just leaving the room in front of all these people.
“Smile,” Travis growls at me quietly.
“This year,” Chase continues. “We get to be thankful for the joining of our families. So, to Cole and Briar, congratulations on your engagement.”
What in the actual fuck?
* * *
I leave the house once dinner is over, get a set of keys from Tobias and just drive the hell away from whatever the hell that was.
ENGAGED!
This is not the early nineteen hundreds. They do not get to tell me who the fuck I’m going to marry. They can shove it all the way up their asses if they think I’m going to just go along with it.
Fuck all the way off.