“Yes, ma’am,” Kane and I say at the same time.

“Now, can we have a decent meal without all this?” Mom pops a brow.

“Yes, we can,” Dad states firmly, looking around at everyone. A silent warning that we need to be on our best behavior or else. “Everyone sit.”

We find our places. Dad says grace, then carves the turkey, and we pass around the dishes. While we eat, we make small talk about the ranch and the weather.

“This is so good,” I say around a mouthful of turkey.

“Yeah, it is,” Kaitlyn adds. “I love fried turkey more than how Grandma Bishop makes it.”

“You better never speak those words outside of this house,” Dad warns with a smirk. “Mama would lose it.”

“I’d never,” Kaitlyn says. She talks about all the show horses she’s training right now, and Payton quietly listens to every word. Kane refuses to make eye contact with me, so I pretend he doesn’t exist. I hate that it has to be like this, but it’s not my fault.

“Y’all don’t get too full. I heard Maize has added some new pies and cakes to the spread this year,” Dad tells us.

After clearing our plates, Kaitlyn and Payton clean up the kitchen. Kane thanks Mom for cooking, then leaves without another word. My parents look at me, and I grin.

“What?”

“You know your brother has had a crush on Hadleigh for years,” Dad says.

“Okay, and what does that have to do with me?”

“You don’t have to be a dick.” He scowls.

“That’s hilarious comin’ from you,” I mock.

“Okay, he’s got a point there.” Mom stifles a laugh.

Dad rubs his temples. “You are literally my payback child. All of this trouble, fighting, getting arrested, sleeping with your twin brother’s woman, it’s gotta stop. You’re gonna end up in jail.”

“Yeah right, I’m not dumb enough to commit any real crimes. As Grandma says, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.”

Dad rolls his eyes. “Gimme a break. Kane is your brother, and you’ve shared everything, but you don’t have to share a woman. I’d never do anything like that to hurt John. And you’re more like me than him. Be respectful. That’s all I’m sayin’. He’d never do that to you.”

“It’s not my fault she likes me. He waited years to tell her and expected her to stay single forever?” I look them both in the eye. “And if she wants to sleep with me instead of him, I won’t apologize. Hadleigh’s a gorgeous woman.”

They sigh simultaneously.

“You’ll learn one way or another.” Dad shakes his head. “Or you won’t. But just know, you won’t have a bond with anyone else the same way that you do with your twin.”