Page 32 of Emerson

There’s a heated pause before he leans closer.

“Do you like sausage, Dillon?” he asks, one link on the end of his fork.

What?

Warren chokes next to me.

Zane looks thrilled.

My heart doesn’t just kick now, it’s rattling my fucking ribcage.

“Sausage?” There are two very conflicting feelings racing through my system.

“Yeah. I heard recently that you liked sausage. I was told that I could maybe lead you in the direction of the good kind.”

I thought I was prepared for anything to come out of his mouth. But I was not expecting that. I breathe out a surprised laugh, but anxiety is lassoing around my racing heart.

Who...

Ian’s eyes are wide, looking at me as he shovels food in his mouth.

“Emery…” Warren starts when I don’t say anything, but his brother points the fork at him.

“Shut up, Warren. You two were beating the shit out of each other the other night. Don’t stand up for him now.”

“Em,” he tries again, but Emery starts shaking his head. He tosses the fork and sausage at his brother.

“Try not to shove that one where it doesn’t belong,” Emery says sweetly, then uses his hands to eat his food.

Clint, who isn’t one to smile often, has a shit eating grin on his face as we eat in silence.

Silence.

The Bennets don’t do silence.

Just say something.

Every bite goes down like a brick in my stomach. My pulse is a loud drum in my chest. My ears. I glance at Warren, and he looks back at me.

Did you…

He shakes his head subtly.

Jo is swirling her wine around the glass, looking between all of us. “That’s enough, children. Let's move on to the resurrection reflections. Ian Lee, you first.”

“Uh, well, I’m thankful that Kit found his way back to Bowen this year. The dude is, like, way happier now. Even though they’ve been holed up in that cabin for weeks feels like,” he laughs, poking around his plate. Bowen is one of the strays the Bennets have taken under their wing. He lives on the property next to theirs, and he was a sad fucker until recently. “I’m also thankful that the gym is doing good,” Ian tacks on.

Clint grunts. “You do yoga classes in my gym.”

“Yoga is good for your body, old man. You should try it,” Warren chimes in. He hasn’t touched the sausage of shame. It’s just sitting there. Mocking both of us.

It’s the Bennets, dude. Just say it.

“Only downward dog I’m doin’ is for your ma.”

“Oh my God, ew.” Emery covers his ears, glaring at his dad.

“Your turn, Zane Lee,” Jo continues, ignoring her husband.