Page 83 of Denial
“My adoptive parents. They took in each of us Powells,” Cortney replies. From my understanding, that includes Cortney, Lee, Jack, Jude, Aiden, and Corjan. She continues, “Though it didn’t become a tradition until after Dad died. Lee and I were adults and Corjan and Aiden were new to our family. We wanted a way to all stay connected to each other.”
My throat feels tight. “That’s really beautiful.”
Cortney flicks her gaze through the room before resting it on mine. “Each year we seem to grow a little bit bigger.”
“Who wants wine?” Juniper appears beside me with a bottle in each hand.
“Yes, please,” Whitney says. “Coffee isn’t strong enough this morning.”
“Hair of the dog for me,” Bree groans, flopping into the seat beside Whitney.
“I’ll take some. A small glass.” I shouldn’t drink again, but the sugar in the white might help level me out. I’ve been dipping low all morning.
“If I were you, I’d be taking down the entire bottle.” Cortney’s eyes skim my face.
“I’d love to, but…” I tap my CGM on the back of my arm. “I need to be responsible.”
“Isla? Anything for you?” Juniper starts doling out glasses.
“Well, speaking of things growing a bit bigger…” Isla stands and rubs her hand over her lower stomach. “I’m going to have to pass.”
“What!” Juniper screeches, setting down the bottle in her hand a little too hard. The others join in with celebratory screams. “I didn’t even notice you not drinking last night!”
“Aiden kept me well stocked on sparkling waters with lime.” Isla beams as she’s pulled into Juniper’s embrace.
“Why’s everybody screaming?” A man’s voice enters the fray.
Heads turn toward the door as Frankie, Jude, and an older woman I haven’t met yet enter the noisy kitchen.
“She just told everyone she’s having my baby,” Aiden says proudly, moving beside his wife. He grips her chin in one hand, turning her face to kiss her lips softly.
“That’s wonderful news!” The woman moves to the two and exchanges hugs.
“Mom, you already knew.” Aiden’s words solve the mystery for me. This must be Nancy Powell.
“Yes, but that doesn’t mean I can’t celebrate with the group.” She kisses him on the cheek and squeezes Isla’s hand. “It was hard keeping the secret.”
Aiden looks at his brothers. “She knew for a whole three days.”
A round of rumbling laughter follows.
Congratulations are passed around as the men meander over to the cooler in search of brews. Suddenly, this gathering takes on a whole new meaning. I breathe a sigh of relief knowing the attention is off me. At least for a while.
“To the newest little Powell.” Corjan holds out his beer, and the others follow suit.
My cheeks hurt as I raise my glass of white wine with the others.
“And to the safety and health of everyone.” Whitney winks.
A blush turns my cheeks scarlet. I kick her shin beneath the table, wincing as I only manage to stub my toe. She laughs behind her palm and raises her glass higher.
“I’ll get you back for that.” I hide my mutter behind the rim of my glass.
A knock rings out against the screen door.
“Now who the hell is that?” says Aiden. For a beat, nobody moves. I sense the mental headcount taking place in the span of a few breaths.
Sutton is first to move. “I’ve got it.” Plunking his beer beside me at the table, he moves to check the window beside the door. The muscles beneath his T-shirt relax as he yanks the door open.
