I pushed the food around my plate, mixing the stuffing and the corn into a neat pile. The pre-game coverage of the Cowboys matchup blared from the television in the adjoining room, replacing the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade broadcast.

Logan kicked my leg under the table. “Why aren’t you eating, dude?” he asked, his mouth full of potatoes. “You miss your boyfriend?”

I shot him a glare and then mumbled an incoherent threat before dismissing him and returning to my food.

The dumbass hit a nerve, and he didn’t even intend to.

I’d been trying to get Mel to spend Thanksgiving with me for the last week. She wasn’t exactly forthcoming with the details, only telling me she had “plans.” 

Lily laid a plate of hot rolls on the table in front of me.

“Wow, Christian,” she said, a wide smile curving her mouth. “I didn’t know you were still seeing that girl from the college. You should’ve invited her for dinner.”

I turned my scowl on Cameron.

He quit slathering butter onto his bread long enough to lift a shoulder. “What? I didn’t think your dating habits were national security.” 

“They aren’t.” My glower melted to a tight smile as I addressed Lily. “Mel had plans tonight.”

Plans…

 I took a bite of lukewarm mashed potatoes to keep from answering any more questions.

“Well, it is Thanksgiving,” Lily said, sinking into her chair with a frown. “People usually spend time with their families.”

Taking her hand, Cameron brushed a kiss to her knuckles. “We are family, baby. Blood don’t mean anything.”

Lily gave Cam an indulgent smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

I suspected the reason we were dining at this table instead of eating off TV trays in the game room had something to do with Lily. Growing up in one of the most prominent families in the country, she was used to grand traditions. Like sharing Thanksgiving with the governor and his wife at the Tennison’s mansion in Dallas.

Lily never talked much about her estrangement from her parent’s, but it was clear they weren’t happy with her life choices.

Quitting business school in favor of completing her degree in fine arts was enough for the Tennisons to cut Lily off—financially, at least. But after Lily graduated and moved to Austin to “shack up” with her rock star boyfriend, the shit really hit the fan.

According to Cameron, Lily hadn’t spoken a word to her mother, and her father’s communication was spotty, at best.

I could totally relate. If my mom didn’t put her foot down and insist I make the drive to College Station at least twice a year, I might never speak to my father again.

As if she could read my thoughts, Lily’s eyes met mine over the table.

“You didn’t want to spend Thanksgiving in College Station, Christian?”

With your family? She left that part out.

It was like the girl had telepathy or something.

“Cameron’s right,” I said, giving her a wink. “Family doesn’t always mean blood. Besides, you’re a much better cook than my mother.”

Lily bit her lip, as if she wanted to say more. But she let me off the hook, steering the conversation to the Christmas tree lots that had sprung up overnight within a few miles of the house.

“We can’t go get the Christmas tree right now, baby,” Cameron whined, looking at his girl like she’d grown a third head. “The Cowboys are about to play.” 

Lily snorted. “Like that makes a difference. I’ve got a better chance of getting to the Super Bowl than Tony Romo.”

Cameron’s face paled at Lily’s blasphemy. “We’re nine and one,” he choked. “Romo’s not even playing. We’ve got to watch the game.”

“I vote we get a tree,” Logan piped up, shoveling stuffing onto his already teeming fork. “We can watch the Cowgirls anytime.”

“You don’t have a vote, asshat,” Cameron growled, his hazel eyes narrowing.

“Yes, he does,” Lily interjected, inching her way to Logan’s side for moral support. “It’s his Christmas tree, too.”

Lily took Cameron’s statement to heart about us being family. And from the looks of it she was determined to make our holidays as traditional as she could, given the band of misfits she had to work with.

Sean, quiet until now because he was too busy stuffing his face, tossed his napkin on the table and said to Lily, “Damn that was awesome, girl. You sure can cook.”

A deep crevice etched her brow as she stared at the few small bones on his plate.

Sean’s appetite was legendary. All you could eat buffets had been known to shutter their windows when they saw him walk through the door.

“Was the turkey dry?” Lily asked, wringing her hands. Before Sean could answer, she swung an accusing gaze at Cameron. “It was dry. I knew you left that damn bird in for too long.”

“I did not,” Cameron protested. “It’s got a little button thing. I took it out as soon as it popped.”

Logan snickered. “That’s what she said.”

In a flash, Cameron’s hand shot out to slap the back of Logan’s head. Logan responded by tossing his half eaten roll at Cameron’s face.

Hunched over my plate, I hoped the impending melee would spare what was left of my dinner. Not that I was hungry anyway. 

“The turkey was perfect,” Sean cut in, prying Cameron’s hand from Logan’s collar. “I’ve got to save some room for supper at Aunt Melissa’s.” His smile widened. “But I’ve got time to help y’all pick out a tree before I go.”

A satisfied smile curved Lily’s mouth. “I’m going to get you a slice of my famous pumpkin pie for that, Sean.”

Since Cameron wasn’t through sulking, Lily leaned in to drop a kiss on his cheek on her way to the kitchen. When he captured her mouth instead, two minutes of smacking noises ensued, which did nothing for my queasy stomach.

Releasing Lily, Cameron waited until she was safely tucked in the kitchen before turning his white-hot gaze on Sean. “Way to have my back, asshole.”

Sean barked out a laugh. “You know you’re going to get the girl a tree.” He smiled around his next swig of beer. “You’re so fucking whipped, you can’t deny her a thing. Don’t even front.”

Cameron shrugged, because really, what else could he do? Sean was only speaking the truth.

I managed to choke down a few more bites before excusing myself from the table. 

Dropping onto the sofa, I turned my phone over in my hand as I watched the coverage of the Cowboys game. 

Sighing in frustration, I gave in and tapped out a text to Mel.

Happy Thanksgiving. 

After waiting a few minutes for a reply that never came, I shoved the device in the pocket of my jeans so I wouldn’t be tempted to send another message. As I retracted my hand from the worn denim, my fingers brushed against the metal fob with the single key attached.

I’d cajoled Mel into giving me her key a couple days ago under the guise of making her dinner. Not that I didn’t intend to give it back. I wasn’t turning into a stalker or anything.

Running my thumb over the metal grooves, I had my doubts. 

“Game started yet?” Logan called as he entered the room. Joining me on the couch, he cast a suspicious eye in my direction. “What’s that look about? 

Ignoring his query, I pocketed Mel’s key, smiling wide as Lily glided through the door with Cameron close behind. 

“Did we decide on where to get that tree?” I said, shoving to my feet. “I’m ready whenever y’all are.”