“I kicked him out of the band,” she says softly, and I look at her. “He was in the wrong. Everyone agreed that he was disrespectful.”
“Sis.”
“Rylee is family now.” She looks at my mate briefly. “He should have known. He was doing it to be a dick, and I can’t have someone around us that doesn’t respect the bond.”
“Will there be backlash?” I ask.
“Not really.” She shrugs. “Some of our fans thought he was cute, but others didn’t like him. It doesn’t matter. We had to do what's right for us. He was still on a trial basis.”
“You annoy me one minute, and the next I want to hug you.” I ruffle her hair. “Thank you.”
She pushes my hand away. “You always annoy me.” We share a smile. “It’s only money. We paid him a little something and are moving on.”
“Issy, was it a lot?” Rylee asks, frowning.
“No. We set aside some money for these kinds of things.” She shrugs and slathers butter over her food.
“I could—”
“No,” she says firmly, pointing her knife at her. “It wasn’t anyone's fault but Bode’s.”
“Will it be awkward?” Haven asks. “Didn’t you travel together?”
“We came here separately.” She walks to the table.
“You’re lucky to find out now what a dick he is,” Allie says, joining Issy.
“I didn’t want him around you anyway,” I mumble, and take Rylee her food.
“Men like that always show their true colors,” Sally says, unloading another waffle.
“You just hope it’s sooner rather than later,” Roxanne snorts.
“Unfortunately, they sometimes slip through the cracks.” Sally wrinkles her nose.
“Are you nervous?” Allie asks, looking at Rylee. “Meeting the mom.”
“Shit, Allie,” I growl.
“What?” She widens her eyes. “I would be.”
“Mom is cool,” Issy offers, smiling at Rylee. “She’ll love you.”
“I’m sure I’ll love her,” Rylee says softly, and meets my gaze. “I want to meet the woman who raised a man like Ezra.”
I don’t pay attention to the sighs around me. All I can see is my mate. I’m surprised by the feeling in my heart. I’ve worked hard to be a good son and brother. Sometimes, without thought to my emotions and needs. I’ll drop anything to be there for my family. I didn’t think I needed the validation that I am a good guy, but with every word, look, and touch, Rylee gives me the reassurance I didn’t know I wanted.
“Any mom would be excited at the prospect of the beautiful babies they will make,” Sally says, licking her fingers.
We turn and stare at the rabbit. Instead of being irritated by the moment being disrupted, I chuckle, knowing she’s right. I don’t doubt Mom’s reaction. She will find it hard to keep her cool when they meet.
I’m more afraid of her meeting Sally and ending up in jail.
Chapter Eighteen
Ezra
Leaning against the building, I wait for Mom to arrive. Everyone was fed, and Issy helped me clean up the kitchen while everyone else helped Rylee pick out clothes. I could have told her she could have worn my shirt and nothing else, and my mom wouldn’t care. Growing up with women, I did not. I smiled and let them take my mate away.
