I slice into the two pies, praying one of these is right since I’m running out of time.
I’ve never made a recipe to match someone else’s that I’ve never tasted. It’s been a feat, and when I asked Katie to describe what their grandma’s chocolate crème pie tasted like, her response was: chocolate pie. I’ve added brandy, changed types of chocolate, crusts, and sugar—trying to make it taste like their grandma’s.
“I kind of miss lasagna,” Katie says, accepting the pie as we sit in the living room, ready to watch the game.
“I’m loving this one, personally,” Hannah says. “I think you should find the best recipe for all flavors of pie. Or maybe cheesecake.”
“I could get behind cheesecake,” Katie says with a nod.
“My favorite was the banana bread,” Carsen says from his seat beside Katie.
“Well, let’s hope one of these is it,” I say, sitting down with my own plate of pie.
“How are you going to keep Nolan from knowing about the brunch?” Carsen asks, taking a bite of pie.
“I’m honestly shocked he hasn’t already found out about it,” I admit. “I think Evelyn might have threatened them all with bodily harm if they told him.”
“Have I mentioned I like her?” Katie says.
I grin. “Good because I was thinking we should start a book club. It can start with us three, her and Mila, and maybe we’ll find some more people who want to join.”
I’m waiting for Katie to remind me that she only reads fiction. “This is it,” she says instead. “This is my grandma’s chocolate crème pie.”
Relief consumes me. “Are you sure? It’s not too sweet?”
She shakes her head. “No. This is it.” She takes another bite. “Don’t tell her, but it might be a little better. It’s so creamy.”
Hannah beams. “It’s really good. But I liked the brandy one, too. Maybe this time you have a tie.” She takes a bite of pie from the winning slice. “But this is really good. I’d eat this over pumpkin pie.”
“You wound me,” Carsen says. “It’s not Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie.”
“Next year, we’ll work to find the best pumpkin pie,” I promise him.
“I’m all in on the book club idea,” Katie says.
Carsen turns up the TV as Camden’s defense takes the field to start the game. Nolan’s been nervous about tonight’s game, explaining that both their offense and defense will be hard as they also fight for an undefeated season. Currently, there are six teams in the conference still undefeated, and tonight there will be one less.
I need to start making more pies for tomorrow’s brunch, but like the others, I remain rooted to my seat, unable to look away. I’m too invested.
Hannah’s beginning to understand more about football, and while I expected her to want to game or go upstairs while we played, she remains downstairs with us, watching as Camden’s defense becomes a wall of will and strength.
When the switch to offense and Nolan takes the field, anticipation and nerves curl in my stomach as though I’m on the field with him.
Katie watches each play with rapt attention, accusing the refs of playing favorites and being biased on numerous occasions as Camden attempts to score.
The camera pans to Hudson as they line up again. The commentator explains Hudson’s father played briefly in the NFL before an injury forced him into early retirement. The detail is a weight in my chest. The camera moves to Grey, who they refer to as Greyson, discussing how far he’s come, teasing that he’s one of the most aggressive offensive players in the league, and then joking that they wouldn’t want to be the ones responsible for stopping him. They turn to Nolan next. He’s still, so still, I can’t tell if he’s considering something or fuming. The commentators discuss Nolan is one of the fastest running backs in the league, as well as one of the smartest, able to predict moves and plays that allow him to find open lanes.
Nolan turns, calling something to Hudson and the commentators chuckle that they caught him calling something out that has the team making slight alterations.
They don’t look as angry as they had a few weeks ago, but there’s still a level of restraint and resentment obvious in their expressions.
At halftime, Katie, Hannah, and Carsen follow me into the kitchen, chopping and measuring things as I ask so we can have enough chocolate crème pies that we don’t run out.
I spend the second half of the game going between the kitchen and the living room to watch the game.
“Two minutes left, Hadley. Come sit down,” Hannah calls.
Camden is down by three. I’m considering contingencies and delaying the brunch.