Everett is back from his meetings when we get to the house, finding him in the living room near the foyer.
“There you guys are.” Everett greets us with a big smile, sitting on the oversize couch. “I was hoping to talk to you guys.”
“Yeah? What’s up?” Asher asks, striding over to the love seat that faces Everett and plopping down.
He pats the seat beside him, which I take, and Dean sits in the recliner to the right of us.
“Cirella, I know you have been working for the family, and while we appreciate your hard work, I can’t allow it anymore.”
Asher stiffens at my side, but I grab his thigh, keeping him calm.
“You’re a part of this family now. It’s the least I can do for Patrick and for you.”
Asher relaxes beneath my hand, resting his own atop it.
Dean jumps the gun, lashing out. “She isn’t going anywhere.”
Everett chuckles, raising his hands. “Take a breath, boys.” He pauses. “Look, I understand why you’re defensive, especially given how I’ve been acting lately. But I have no intent on making her leave the residence. She is welcome to pick out a room of her own, outside of the staff wing, and make herself at home.”
“Oh.” Asher exhales.
Everett’s eyes are shining with happiness. “Seeing how much you both care about her makes me so happy. It’s a situation I may not fully understand, but I don’t need to. As long as you guys are content, that’s all that matters.”
“Thank you,” I sniffle, wanting nothing more than to run over there and give him the biggest hug.
“No need to thank me, Cirella. I should be thanking you.” His lips twitch, and I see a flash of sorrow in his gaze that quickly dissipates. “You helped me wake up and come to terms with everything I’d been ignoring.”
Holding my hand up, I stop him from thanking me further. “That’s what family’s for, isn’t it?”
He nods and smiles, then says something that cuts me to the core. “Patrick would be so proud of who you’ve become. I just know it.”
I don’t hesitate this time.
Standing to my feet, I rush over, and he stands right as I reach him, meeting my hug with acceptance.
“It’ll be all right,” he assures me kindly. “I promise.”
Pulling back, I smile up at him. “The same goes for you. Remember that.”
“I will.” His eyes well up with tears, and he nods. “Dean, Asher, can I have a word in private for a few minutes?”
Knowing these two stubborn asses will likely protest, I answer for the both of them. “They’d love to.” I turn to them, seeing amusement twinkling in their gazes. “I’ll be upstairs.”
Without giving them a chance to argue, I stride away, heading toward the grand staircase and up into their wing.
Gus is hanging out with Jules today, attending classes with her—at Jules’s request, of course. Skipping class has been far too consistent as of late, and I’m going to get my act together if I want to keep attending HEAU. Which I think I do. I don’t know. I haven’t really had a chance to think it through since everything happened. Before I make any rash decisions, I want to talk it out with my family, one born when the world around me was burning—Asher, Dean, Jules, Myra, Everett, and Gus.
Turning into Dean’s bedroom, I take my boots off and jump into the cozy bed as an idea grows in my mind.
I want to surprise them when they get in here, and I know exactly how I want to do it.
Quickly, I shimmy my leggings down, tossing them toward the door, followed by my hoodie, until I’m lying in his bed in only my bra, underwear, and socks.
Ifeel on top of the fucking world, walking upstairs with Asher after talking with our father. I don’t know how Ciri did it, but it’s like she hit the reset button on his entire personality, reverting him to the dad we know and love.
He sat us down in his office, the space where the stained-glass window was, now taped off in preparation for the new installment, one that will feature our dad, mom, Asher, and me. Then he told me that I’m free from our previous arrangement. After that, I think I blacked out for a second before coming to.
I assured him that I still want to take over the family businesses, and he told me he’s happy to do that … after I’ve retired from the pro league, however long I want to stay. He gave me the gift of choosing when I’m ready to hang up the skates for the last time.
