Page 13 of To Have and To Hold
“A little, yeah,” Reese admitted to the ten-year-old. Even more so now that she’d emphasized it as though it was the most horrific thing that could happen.
“What happened to your ring?” she inquired, just one of many questions she’d pelted at him since they sat down at the dinner table.
“We put ’em away until the wedding,” Brantley explained. “That way, we can exchange them in front of all those people who’ll be starin’ at us.”
That didn’t help either.
“You’re usin’ the old rings?” Ashley’s lip curled as though that was the most disgusting thing she’d ever heard.
“Ignore her,” Sadie said before looking at them again. “Her manners are on the fritz now that she’s twelve.”
“Whatever,” Ashley mumbled.
“Is your sister comin’ in for the wedding?” Bryn asked.
“She is,” Reese confirmed. “Friday, I think.”
Luckily, the topic ventured away from them and on to various other things. Reese chimed in when asked something directly. The rest of the time, he soaked up the big family dynamic. It was always interesting to come over here, regardless of how many people were there. Whenever they did, he found himself a bit homesick, wishing his mother, Z, and Jensyn lived closer. The fact that he talked to all of them often helped, but he wouldn’t mind seeing them more.
“Anyone want dessert?” Iris asked as she pushed her chair back.
“I’ll help you with that,” Frank offered.
JJ leaned toward Baz, whispering, “I’ve gotta pee.”
A second later, she was on her feet and heading for the bathroom.
The mood shifted as soon as Iris and Frank were out of the room. A second later, Reese realized why.
“Ten bucks says the rings go missin’ before the wedding. I predict they’ll be missin’ by Monday,” Griffin said, plopping a ten-dollar bill on the table. “Who’s in?”
To Reese’s shock, money started flying.
“Put my money on Tuesday,” Bryn noted.
“I’ll take Wednesday,” Cal said.
“Thursday for me and Killian,” Tori said, dropping a twenty on the table.
“Put me and Devon down for Friday,” Sadie said, another twenty added to the pile.
“If you know what’s good for you, that money won’t be sittin’ there when JJ gets back,” Baz said with a laugh.
“Trey? You in?” Bryn asked him.
Trey looked at Brantley, then back at his sister. “How ’bout I hold the pot to keep it safe?”
Everyone looked at each other before they all agreed. A second later, Trey swept the money off the table and not a moment too soon.
JJ returned, her forehead creased. “What’d I miss?”
“Nothin’,” Bryn lied.
“They’re bet—” Before Meghan could spill the beans, Devon put his hand over his daughter’s mouth.
“Let’s get dessert and check on the game,” Cal suggested, getting to his feet.
“Wait!” JJ called before anyone could get up from their seats.
