Page 68 of Unravel Me

I snap the kitchen towel at Rhett, but we’re interrupted by my ringing phone. I searched around, unable to locate it.

Rhett finds it under the cookbook and tosses the phone at me. I catch it, accidently answering it in the process. Rhett stands there unsure if he should leave, but I hold up my finger, gesturing to him to be quiet. I’m determined to make this conversation short.

Since his existence isn’t known to anyone but Penny.

“Hey Mom.”

“Audrey, hello, I need to chat, do you have a moment?”

“Uhm, I have a minute. I’m just cooking dinner.”

“Oh, how funny,” she responds, probably thinking I'm joking, but I stay silent until she continues. I’m not in the mood to entertain her antics. “You haven’t RSVP’d and catering needs the final count. I need to know if you’re coming to the Labor Day party. You and Jackson never missed this party before and I know you’ll be alone this year, but Audrey, it’s a big deal for your father. Half the company will be there. I know you’ll be in New York—”

I jolt, spinning in my spot, praying Rhett didn’t hear a word of that.

“Yes, I am still figuring that all out, Mom. I don’t know if I’ll be able to make it back this year, due to work.”

“Andrew is taking time away from surgery to be with his family.”

She had to pull the ‘your brother’s a surgeon’ card.

“Mom—”

“If you’re worried about the little upset, I can assure you everyone has moved on. No one is going to say anything about Jackson and you, we are all adults here. The world and this party doesn’t revolve around you.” Her comment is enough to make me want to hit my phone with the meat cleaver, but I grip it and spin back around, making a silly face at Rhett who is leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest, an unreadable expression on his face.

“Okay, Mom. I will think about it and let you know tomorrow.”

“Okay, fine. You should be here, people want to see you, Audrey. Your family misses you.”

“Sounds good, good—” But the phone call ended.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I lean against the counter, suddenly drained of the energy I had been brimming with minutes ago.

“Sorry about that,” I offer, not meeting Rhett’s eyes. He scoffs, and I open my mouth to play off the situation, when a knock sounds from the front door. Mabel stirs, and Rhett turns abruptly, walking away without so much as glancing my way.

“Can I have more please?” Jessie asks, rocking in her chair, pointing at the green beans on the dining table. Desi’s eyes grow wide at her daughter.

“You want more vegetables?” She scooped them, peering skeptically at her daughter. “You never eat green beans at home.”

“These are better than yours, Mom. No offense.” She shrugs, and I mouth sorry to Desi who laughs.

“I can’t compete with you,” she jokes, and I shake my head.

“If it’s okay with your mom, and once you’re done, I made mini cheesecakes for dessert.” I nod towards the kitchen and the girls’ eyes light up in awe.

“You know you’re going to have to keep this up now,” Desi says, and I sip wine, shrugging.

“I love it. Honestly, I’m shocked there’s not a good bakery in town. I told Rhett, every town needs a good bakery. It’s just a fact.”

“I agree,” Jenna chimes in and we all laugh.

“Your mom must love having you home for the holidays. I bet you make some incredible dishes!” Renee smiles, and I lower my fork, my chest tightening with emotion. I can’t help but let out a soft chuckle as Rhett watches me intently.

“Oh, my mom would never let me cook for a holiday.” I rub my hands on the top of my thighs, unsure how to backpedal from here. Renee looks confused as Rhett continues to watch me, making me uneasy. He hasn’t been himself since the phone call and it’s made my appetite disappear.

“Will you be seeing them at all this summer?” Desi asks innocently. I’m sure it must be weird, since I see her family every week when we share these meals around a table. It’s such an intimate thing, a tradition, one I’ve fallen right in with. But I don’t think I've ever talked about my family except for the first time they met me. When it was the polite answer to the polite question.

“I’m not sure yet, I have just been enjoying summer here,” I respond, smiling before shoving food in my mouth so they can’t ask me more questions.