Four days later…
As the days go on, Tanner is becoming more attached to this family, completely changing his plans of leaving.
He shamelessly tells himself that he can stay a few more days.
He had originally planned to return to Paris after New Year because he had only intending to spend Christmas Eve with his newfound girlfriend.
But he hadn't planned on staying at her house for all these days.
The family keeps encouraging him to stay, so he readily agrees.
○
The last Thanksgiving dinner the family had was at Miles—Joe's brother's house. This time, it's Miller's family's turn to host; it always goes in a circle like that.
The house is alive with laughter, the kind that bounces off walls and fills every corner with warmth.
The front door is barely closed before it swings open again, admitting another relative wrapped in scarves and smiles.
Coats pile up on the hallway rack, shoes scatter near the door, and the smell of roasting turkey and spiced pies fills the air, weaving through every room.
In the living room, Grandpa sits in his favorite armchair, his booming laugh drawing attention as he shares a story everyone has heard before but never tires of hearing.
Rachael flutters between the kitchen and dining room, armed with platters of appetizers and gentle scoldings for anyone who tries to sneak a taste before dinner.
The cousins have claimed the couch, sprawled out in a mess of arms and legs, their phones forgotten as they dive into a heated debate over a board game.
The youngest of them, a boy no older than six, dashes between rooms, weaving through legs with a plastic superhero in hand, his giggles a song on repeat.
In the kitchen, the aunts bustle around the stove, bumping hips and trading recipes, their voices overlapping in a chorus of cheerful chatter.
Miles leans against the counter with a glass of wine, teasing them about who burned the rolls last year. The aunts laugh, their playful jabs flying back just as quickly.
The dining table is a sight to behold, set with care and crowded with plates, glasses, and a centerpiece of glowing candles and autumn leaves.
As the clock ticks closer to dinner, someone calls for a group photo. It's chaos trying to fit everyone into the frame—kids perched on laps, arms slung around shoulders.
Tyler is barely visible and uninterested. "Wait a minute, isn't someone missing here? I haven't seen that queen of mine!" Grandpa asks, referring to TAylor.
Speaking of her, Tyler remembers that he hasn't seen her with her boyfriend for some time. Even though he convinces himself to stay out of their business, he can't seem to.
"Heey, dude... you have no idea how much I've been looking forward to this. Come on, I'll be the first to tell, then you go next. I can't wait to hear about Lexy." Brandon—Tyler's cousin—says, pulling him upstairs to Tyler's room.
Every time they meet, all they do is talk about girls and all that. Apparently, Brandon is a troublemaker, a player, and a flirt, just like Tyler used to be. That's why they are best friends, as well as cousins.
---
"...and I'll tell you what, man?! The moment she said 'I love you too,' I kissed her without hesitation!" Brandon looks at Tyler after saying that, his face full of disappointment. "Dude, are you even listening?" He asks.
Usually, Tyler would be listening intently, excitement pouring out of him, especially when it reaches the romance part. But today…
"Of course I'm listening, but your girl this time sounds boring. Wait until you hear about Lexy. Let me pick some snacks first, I'll be right back," Tyler lies, walking out of the room.
He can't stop wondering what Taylor and Tanner might be doing, and honestly, there's nothing to tell about Lexy.
He walks to Taylor's room, but no one is there. Tanner's room—no, they aren't there either. The other guest rooms—no.
These feelings are killing him. They were supposed to be a secret, but it's not working.
He feels like he wants to escape from the commotion in the house, so he decides to go to the storeroom, where the window has a balcony, and it's at the back of the house—where no one will see him.
He enters and closes the door. He walks to the window and, just as he's about to push aside the curtain, he hears Taylor's voice, which doesn't sound so pleased.
"Aren't you the one who was insisting that we tell them? Why are you changing your mind now?" Taylor asks.
Tanner doesn't answer. Taylor speaks again, "Tanner, aren't you going to say anything?"
Tyler wonders, listening to their conversation curiously. ,,,Why doesn't he want to tell our parents? He really wanted to, and even Taylor told me they had agreed to announce that they're dating during Thanksgiving dinner… so why are they fighting now?
"I don't know, TAylor. Something doesn't feel right. Just... let's give it some time, okay?" Tanner says, surprising both TAylor and Tyler.
"I told you not to worry. Everyone is going to be happy about us. I know what I'm talking about, especially Tyler and Mom." Taylor insists.
When Taylor mentions that Tyler will be happy about it, neither Tanner nor Tyler feels settled.
These past few days, Tanner can't stop asking himself: what is it with Tyler? They just can't seem to get along. Even when they aren't fighting, something feels unsettled between them.
Tanner feels something strange when it comes to Tyler—whenever Tyler avoids his eyes, and when their eyes meet, his heart skips a beat.
He wonders why he's standing here with his girlfriend, kissing her all the time, but it doesn't shake him the way it should.
It's like he's nervous around his new lover whenever Tyler looks at him, and it feels like he's doing something wrong.
"Hey, what are you thinking about?" Taylor brings him back to reality by asking.
"I think my problem is Tyler." He says unconsciously.
"He has no problem with us. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about." Taylor insists.
Suddenly, they hear something fall inside the room. They both push open the window at the same time and peek inside. Looking through the room, there's no one.
"Ah... down here," they both lower their heads to where the sound came from.
"What?! Tyler? What were you doing here?" Taylor asks, displeased.
Tanner enters the room and goes to where Tyler is.
"I think I just broke my bone," Tyler says, holding his leg.
"Let me see. This is what you get for eavesdropping on people's conversations," Tanner says, acting unconcerned, but deep inside, for some reason, he feels overly worried about him.
"Tayler, bring the first aid kit. It's just a brush on the skin. It'll be fine." Tanner adds.
"I wasn't eavesdropping. I just came here to catch some air outside because in there… it's suffocating." Tyler says.
Taylor goes and comes back almost immediately. Tanner takes the box from her.
"Don't touch me. Give me the box. I'll do it myself." Tyler says, realizing that Tanner's touch does things to him.
"You can't do it yourself, and you know that," Tanner insists, going to treat him.
"Why can't I?"
"Because we're here to help you. So, why not? Come on, stay still."
"Then let Tay do it," Tyler says.
"Why do you always have to be stubborn in every situation? Fine, I'll do it. Tanner, give me the box." Tay says, going for the box.
Tanner doesn't hand the box over, he stands up and walks toward Tay and whispers, "Let me do it. You go check on the situation downstairs. We'll tell them at dinner, okay?"
"Okay," Tay agrees happily.
"What are you whispering there? I'm hurting here, and you're whispering and flirting. Give me the damn box," Tyler says, irritated.
"Why is she leaving? Hey, why are you closing the door?" Tyler asks, sounding frightened by something. "Tanner, just give me the box. You can go. I can really do it myself." He adds.
"Why are you insisting that I leave? Can't you handle being alone in a room with me?"
Tyler knows for sure that's the reason, his heart thunders for being caught red handed. He can't lie, because it's written all over his face.
"Wh...what do you mean by that?" he stutters.
"I don't know, Tyler. You tell me. Okay, maybe because you're acting like this..." Tanner says walking to him.