“We’ll be leaving town because we live in New York,” Fiona replied.
“Yeah, I gotta meet up with Grace in the morning, it's really important, but we’ll answer our phones. You got all our numbers, right?” I asked the officer.
He sighed. “Yes, we’ve got your numbers. We appreciate your help in catching these moonshiners. They usually operate on the very edge of the law, but kidnapping crosses that. Him getting into drugs is a little disconcerting. Though you need to stay out of that, you got that, son?”
“Yes, sir. I have a pack now. I am absolutely legit,” I replied. I turned to Tad. “Thank you so much. Do you need a ride back to the house?”
Tad shook his head. “I have my truck. Your pack’s real nice. Shit, I’ve been hanging out with famous people. Y’all staying the night?”
“There’s a train in a little bit if you want to head back tonight,” Carlos said.
“Fine with me, but I need to get my shit,” I replied. Yeah, I’d liketo go home.
“That sounds good to me,” Fiona said, putting her arm around me. From the lust I was getting from both of them, I had a feeling they wanted a little something.
I wanted them, too. This had been scary.
“All right, let's get my truck. We’ll get my stuff and we’ll go home,” I said.
Fiona cupped my face with her hand. “You didn’t run away, right?”
Shaking my head, I put my hand over hers. “While I doubted myself and I’ll probably doubt myself more, I wasn’t running away. I might need a little space to think sometimes, but I will never run away. Promise.”
Saoirse gave her a look that said,See, I told you.
“You didn’t actually think I was running away, did you?” Worry coursed through me.
She shook her head. “No. But when you go missing, it’s hard to imagine you’re not, because you have a good reason to run away. This is a lot and things didn’t go your way today, which can seem daunting. Also, you were probably just trying to get out of dinner with my dads tomorrow, right?”
I laughed. “Never. I’m sorry if I scared you. My mentor and I figured a lot out. Also, I still have time before classes start. I have to stop letting the parents get in my head.”
“You know a good way to not let your parents in your head?” Saoirse asked. “You block them. Best thing I ever did.”
“That might not be a bad idea, and I should start that therapy. We should probably do that pre-pack formation counseling too,” I added.
“Those are all excellent things. Can I meet my surprise? It’s a puppy, right? That’s what Big Tad said.” Fiona bounced up and down as we got into the truck
“Yeah, I got our pack a puppy. Everyone else contributed to thehouse, and I wanted to as well. I can’t wait for you to meet him,” I replied as I got into the front seat.
Carlos tossed me the keys as he, Fiona, and Saoirse squished in the back. Dusty sat up front.
“A puppy! So excited,” Fiona replied.
Yeah, that was just what my pack needed.
“Can I have one?” Dusty held up the box of honey buns.
“Go for it. I bought them to share. They’re my favorite.” I held out my hand, and he gave me one.
He took a honey bun and passed the box back.
“Oh, I like these,” Carlos agreed as he shared one with Fiona.
Exhaustion hit me as the adrenaline died down. I’d like my bed–with them in it. At least we were all safe. As for everything else, well, that was tomorrow’s problem.
Chapter Fifty-Eight
Carlos
