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He snorts. “I figured that that was a line, but no pressure. You’re good though, right?”
I nod. “Yeah. I promise.”
“Because you don’t sound good,” he says gently. “What’s wrong?”
“Honestly, I’m fine.”
“Don’t lie to me. You still can’t lie for shit.”
“Well, I’m on my period, and it’s my first one in six years, so I’m doing my best to not stab the men I live with, who are very insulting for just breathing.” And you know, heats, and baby’s, and a virgin terrified of sex, but that’s something you definitely don’t share with your brother. He falls silent, and I smirk before changing the subject. “I’m sorry I missed your ceremony.”
“There was no ceremony,” David says with a sigh. My eyes widen, and I lean into the phone a little more.
“Wait, what? What happened with the mating ceremony?” I demand. “Why didn’t it go ahead? Is Crystal okay?”
“She’s fine, pissed about it, of course, but she’s fine,” he says. “We’re working with Atticus, or we will, to reschedule.”
“Shit.” Guilt hits me like a freight truck, and I hate how much effort I’m putting into messing up . I know it’s not my fault, but this mess is only occurring because of me. “Why?”
“Kennedy made us pause it since Atticus was unconscious,” David says with a deep sigh. “He’s got it on his list to talk to Atticus about since he knows it’s one of the conditions for Atticus helping him.”
“Oh. I didn’t think it was a requirement,” I say, frowning.
“No, Atticus explained that to me as well, but Kennedy is insistent.” David sounds frustrated here, but I know he’s not mad at me.
“I’m sorry. Did you manage to talk to Atticus about Crystal’s parents?” I ask, almost hesitantly. I hate that I wasn’t there to help them sort things out, especially with how badly she’s struggling.
“I did, briefly. You were obviously the priority, but he promised he’d arrange for a call with me this week to cover things,” he says. “But if it has to wait until the ceremony is rescheduled, then it will.”
“Well, we’ll be there whenever it gets rescheduled,” I reassure him.
“We?”
“I think it’ll be a family event this time,” I say, cringing at the thought of Devoss and Cevon meeting my parents.
Atticus will be the epitome of perfection. He always is. Mal will sneer from a distance and make them feel uncomfortable, but likely won’t say anything to their face. Griffin will be polite, and Micah will be shy. Orson will be glued to my side, only caring about me and my reaction.
But Cevon and Devoss? They’re my wildcards, and I can’t trust how they’ll behave. Not even for a second.
“You sound upset,” David says, and there’s a hint of protectiveness in his tone. That’s sweet, even if a little unnecessary. “Do you not want them there?”
“No, of course, I do,” I say, shaking my head. I voice something I haven’t to any of my other mates. “I just… I’m jealous.”
“Of what?”
“Your ceremony.”
He sighs, and I can picture the frown on his face. “I’d say you could have it but, honestly, you don’t want it.”
“Not yours,” I say, giggling now. “I just want one of my own.”
“And none of your mates have brought it up?” he asks, sounding surprised.
“Nope.”
He growls, and my lips tilt up in a smile. He’s five years younger than me, and, yet, he’s got the protective brother thing down, even with the six years we’ve not seen each other.
“I’ll call them all assholes as long as you don’t repeat it,” he says teasingly. I laugh, the idea of him being scared of my mate’s quite humorous, especially considering they’re all teddy bears.
