I hadn’t set out to guilt trip him, but when his expression morphed from annoyance to guilt, it was a nice side effect.
“Yeah, okay. I get it.”
We discussed other business items and then hung up. As happy as I was that I was going to go to Las Vegas with no one knowing what I was doing, it didn’t mean I didn’t feel guilty too. Sam and I were close, and I hated keeping this information from him, even though he’d probably laugh his ass off and then offer support. I suppose it was embarrassment or my pride that had me wanting to keep my dealings with Amelia secret, but that came with guilt as well. It made it seem like Amelia was unworthy of recognition, which wasn’t the case. Had I not woken up married, I probably would’ve told Sam about meeting her when I told him about staying the extra days in Las Vegas. It wasn’t my tryst with Amelia that I wanted to keep a secret. It was the fact that I became a cliché. I was one of those numb nuts who got wasted and married in Las Vegas.
I finished my work for the day and then headed over to my parents’ house for dinner since Vivie had arrived home. Vivie was like a spark plug, always firing, but in a fun, jovial way. Maybe a better description was that she was like bubbles. Effervescent.
When I walked into the house, she launched herself into my arms. “Sam, my favorite brother, I’m so happy to see you.”
I set her down with a glare.
She smirked up at me. “Oops. You’re Max, aren’t you?”
“Well, at least I know where I stand now.”
This was a long-running gag she had with both me and Sam. As kids, we really looked alike, but as men, we had subtle differences that anyone who knew us would use to distinguish us. So, Vivie knew exactly who I was.
“Do you suppose you’ll ever stop being annoying as hell?” I said playfully.
She pressed her finger to her chin and slanted her gaze upward as if she were thinking. Finally, she looked at me with a grin. “Not where you and Sam are concerned.”
I laughed and pulled her in for another hug, giving her a kiss on the cheek. “Welcome home, Vivie.”
At dinner, I heard all about Vivie’s travels and answered what questions I could about Sam’s work out in California. I didn’t mention Kate or the possibility that she would come for Thanksgiving. That was Sam’s news to share. But with thanksgiving a week away, he needed to do it soon.
After dinner, I headed home and made arrangements to go to California with Sam, and then I figured from California, I’d get a ticket to Las Vegas. Then I got a drink from my liquor cabinet and went and sat on the couch, turning on the TV. There was a sports recap show that I let run in the background as I picked up my phone to call Amelia. I needed to let her know about my plans after Thanksgiving. That was the reason I told myself I was calling. But the truth was, it was an excuse. Ever since the last time I spoke to her on the phone, I’d been wanting to call her back. Not to talk about the annulment, but to talk about anything and everything, whatever.
It was well past nine here, which put it past six in the evening out there. Hopefully, she was done with her workday.
She picked up on the second ring, and I wondered if that meant she was excited to see my name pop up on the screen.Don’t go there, Max.
“Max. How are you?”
I settled back into my couch, hoping I wouldn’t be such a doofus on the phone this time and would be able to talk with her. “I’m good. My sister arrived home for Thanksgiving today. It was fun to see her and hear about all her after college travels.”
I couldn’t be sure that Amelia cared one way or the other about my family, but I didn’t want this call just to be about the annulment, so I led with something else. Something more personal. A little bell in my head clanged in a warning, but I took a sip of my bourbon to shut it up.
“A world traveler? Wow. Did she go to all the usual places or some of the more exotic ones?”
“Little bit of both. It actually sounded like a lot of fun, but I could tell my parents are eager for her to either go to graduate school or get a job.”
Amelia laughed.
“On the other hand, you should see her Instagram feed. Maybe you could give her some pointers on how she could turn that into some sort of influencer cash.”
There was a pause on the other end. It was long enough to make me realize what I had said. I’d essentially suggested that Amelia meet my sister.
The bell clanged louder, but I couldn’t figure out what words to say to take it back.
“What’s her Instagram name?”
I gave her Vivie’s name. A few seconds later, she said, “Wow, she’s had some adventures.”
“That she has. Have you traveled much?” I asked.
“Not like that. My father’s well-traveled, but he never took me or James with him. I went to Mexico on spring break out of high school, and Hawaii after college. Most of the traveling I do now is for work.”
That reminded me of her new big clients. “How’s the celebrity restaurant client doing? And the vineyard?”