As soon as I let their little white lie come out of my mouth, I felt regret in an instant, but there was no turning back as far as my parents were concerned.
We left Seattle and went back home, where the tone was set immediately in the footprints of their plan for my future to go into seminary. They weren’t happy when I told them that I was going back to Seattle to spend the holiday with Kaley and Dean, but I told them as I was leaving for the airport.
I know, sneaky of me.
I worked my ass off and my parents saw that, but they weren’t aware that I had myself a plan. The day that the news came about my acceptance into the seminary school that my parents applied on my behalf for came in, I showed them the acceptance letter to three of the colleges that I applied for without their knowledge.
They were void of emotion. They said that I was following in the sinful path of my sister and that, like her, they would cut me off.
I didn’t need them though, and that was what was a shock to them.
I had the support of my sister and her boyfriend. I had the support of the same guidance counselor who helped Kaley. And I had the support of the few friends that I had confided in and their families.
The cycle was happening to my parents all over again, and I think that’s the straw that broke the camel's back.
I booked a one-way ticket to Seattle, packed up what little that I had and didn’t look back.
But my parents did.
I’m setting up the two additional table settings when Dean comes to my side.
“Are you okay?” he asks sincerely.
“Yeah, I think this might be a new chapter, a new beginning.” I look to him.
I admit that when I first met Dean, I crushed on him. But the crush turned into admiration for his dedication to playing football and to my sister. He’s now a confidant and part of my chosen family.
“Let me know if anything gets too much. Let’s code word if you need me to interject, yeah?”
I grin. “My code word is giblets.”
“That’s not funny.” He stands up straight and puts his hands on his hips. “I mean, it kinda is.” I hide my laughter.
“What’s so funny?” My mom comes up to the table, apprehensively asking.
“Oh, you’re going to need to sit down for this one.” I turn to her, fighting back the laughter that is begging to burst from my lips.
“Oh c’mon, we really don’t need to tell everyone about my screw up.” Dean begs.
“Oh, are we telling the story about the giblets?” Dean’s mom comes into the dining room and takes a seat beside my mom.
She places her hand on my mom’s forearm and smiles. “You’re going to love this.”
“Oh, are we telling stories?” Kaley bounces in the room with Denise.
Soon, everyone has left the living room and sits around the table.
Dean hides his face in his hands and attempts to leave the room, but Kaley grabs his arm and places her head on his shoulder.
As I start to tell the story, Dean interjects adding in his bits and once we are finished our back-and-forth versions of the story, everyone is laughing.
With the uncontrollable laughter and the warmth that is in this house right now, I feel that all is right. With gratitude, we are here, on Thanksgiving as a happy family.
And I couldn’t be more thankful for Kaley and Dean.
The lie that became the truth, brought our two families together.
Dear Friends,
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Smooches ~ Tarrah
Also by Tarrah Anders
THE MELTED SERIES
Frozen Over
FROZE
Freezing
THE NIGHT MOVES SERIES
STRIPPED
The Night Manager
Tapped
The Night Moves Boxset W/Missing Scene
STANDALONES
New Year, New You
The Brute
Summer Fling
CLUTCH Endgame
Change of Scenery
More than Friends
No More Heartache
Fly Girl (Girl Power Romance Collection)
Speakeasy (Storybook Pub Anthology)
In the End (A Quarantine Romance)
What Happens in Vegas
Rookie Moves (A Quick Snap Novella)
Love Surreptitiously
THE NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES
Your Neighborhood Bartender
Your Neighborhood Bastard
Your Neighborhood Vixen
Your Neighborhood Convict
Your Neighborhood Chef
Your Neighborhood Cowgirl
Your Neighborhood Biker
Your Neighborhood Manager
Your Neighborhood Regular
Your Neighborhood Legend
The Neighborhood Boxset
Coming Soon:
What Happens in Miami
Love on the Sidelines (A Quick Snap Novella)
Heartburn (Everyday Hereoes, KB World)
Subscribe to my newsletter for more coming soons!
About the Author
I am a contemporary romance author who is all about the feels, with the twists of sexy mixed in between. I have been writing since before I can remember. Writing has always been a passion, that was kept it under wraps, stayed on the back-burner and never vocalized or followed through with my desire to be a writer, until I read a horrible book and thought: ‘I could do better than that!’
I am originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, but living in beautiful San Diego with my little family while working during the day as a social worker within Program Management
In other words, I’m a freaking superhero!