Page 41 of The Recovery Coach
Thinking about Lance’s ungrateful family getting to enjoy his grandma’s secret stuffing recipe made acid rise into Hazy’s throat.He set his fork on his plate and pushed the food away.
“You’ll never have to cook for someone who doesn’t appreciate it again,” he promised.
Lover raised his glass.“Cheers to that.”
Everyone touched their glasses in the center of the table and took sips from their drinks.Hazy gazed longingly at each person’s glass of wine.He was stuck with sparkling apple juice because he still needed painkillers.His fucking leg should heal faster.Partial weight-bearing was great.Better than lying around all the time, but he’d been useless all day.
He’d watched Jayden and Livy cook with his mom, and Lover set the table with his dad.All while he followed Livy’s orders to stay off his feet.His whole family occupied one room ten feet from him, but they felt a thousand miles away.
After dinner Jayden and Hazy’s dad disappeared into a guest room to watch the football game.His mother had one rule about Thanksgiving football.They could watch, but she didn’t want to hear it.According to Christina Hale, football tied soccer for the most boring sport ever.Hazy agreed.
He took a spot on the couch, elevating his leg and flipping on a Christmas movie, his favorite tradition.His mom sat next to him and pulled him into her arms.He let her snuggle him to her heart’s content, knowing it was all he could offer her in the way of being a good son.
His parents wanted more kids, but had struggled to conceive.Bearing the weight of being an only child felt impossible most days, but when his parents were far away, the pressure eased.They loved him.They would never want him to feel like he wasn’t enough, but he couldn’t help it.He was their only shot at a successful child.The pressure to perform at the top of his game, to be the best he could be, always lingered.They could brag to their friends about him.He was their only hope for grandchildren.The honor came with obligations, and while he hoarded all their parental love, he was also solely responsible for any disappointment.
Livy and Lover stood in the kitchen, rinsing the dishes they’d volunteered to do and laughing together.Warmth blossomed in Hazy’s chest.He loved them both so much.
“What’s going on with them?”his mom asked, waving a hand toward his best friends.
“What do you mean?”he whispered.
“They seem mighty cozy together.Do you think Connor might be the one Livy has been waiting for?”
Hazy pretended to consider it for the first time.He’d been hyper-fixated on the possibility for weeks.They’d be a beautiful couple.“I don’t think Lover is interested.”
“He’s been flirting with her all night.”
He knew he hadn’t been imagining it!“That’s why I think he’s not interested.He clams up around girls he likes.I wish you could see it.It’s the most adorable thing ever; his cheeks get all red, and he stumbles over his words.”
His mom laughed, and he giggled with her.
Livy eyed them with suspicion.“What’s so funny over there?”
Hazy gestured toward the TV.“Funny joke.”He rolled his lips between his teeth to contain his laughter.
Lover raised his eyebrows at them.“I’m watching you,” he said, using two fingers to point to his own eyes, then twisting his hand to point at them.
Hazy flipped him off, and his mom slapped his hand.
“That’s rude,” she said.
Lover stuck his tongue out at Hazy, and Hazy rolled his eyes.
His friends went back to their cleaning, and his mom said, “She’ll find someone someday.”
“Mhmm,” Hazy agreed.
They watched the movie for a bit before his mom said, “Have you ever considered maybe...”She trailed off.
“Maybe what?”he asked.
His mom pursed her lips and stared at the ceiling, searching for her words in a familiar gesture.“I don’t know,” she said.
Hazy couldn’t leave it alone.“No, tell me.Have I ever considered what?”
Running her fingers through his hair, she said, “Maybe you and Livy could be something.”
“We are something.Best friends.”
