They both burst out laughing.Sheri answered on speaker.
“You move fast, Montrose,” she said, still laughing.
Vic’s voice came through, warm and teasing.“Just making sure my two favorite people get along.Breakfast at nine?Bring Mitty.”
Mitty leaned closer to the phone, grinning.“I’ll be there.”
They hung up, still chuckling.Sheri set the phone aside and rolled back into his arms.
Mitty pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
Best night in a long time.
Chapter Thirty
Chase
Chase sat on the tailgate of his truck outside Bear’s garage, the morning sun warm on his shoulders.The news from last night still felt a little unreal.
Willa was pregnant.
He’d expected the announcement might twist something ugly in his chest—that old familiar feeling of being pushed to the side.Instead, when Mason had pulled him into a conversation with that rare, nervous smile and told him, Chase had felt a surprising rush of genuine happiness.His dad was going to be a father again.Willa, who had already brought warmth and laughter into the house, was going to be a mom.
It felt...right.
For months he’d been jamming with Occupy Yourself, showing up with his rhythm guitar, contributing where he could, but always feeling like he was on the outside looking in.The president’s kid tagging along.That had changed last night.
After playing at Marie’s, Benny and Vic had sat him down.No big ceremony, just straight talk.
“You’re not just sitting in anymore,” Benny had said, eyes steady.“You’re in.Full member.Your voice counts.You want changes?Speak up.You’ve earned it.”
Vic had grinned and added, “Welcome to the band, brother.”
Chase had barely managed a nod, throat tight.It still didn’t feel entirely real, but it felt good.Really good.
This morning, he’d finally worked up the courage to talk to his dad.He’d told Mason he didn’t want to patch into the RWMC.At least not right now.Maybe not ever.He’d braced for disappointment, but Mason had just looked at him for a long moment, then nodded.
