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Sully pulls me from the doorway while I hear my kid squealing in delight. “I have kept my mouth shut through all the insanity that has happened since you met this woman.” He puts up his hands in defense as I go to say something, “Don’t even—look—I’ve watched you burn through women. I’ve watched you question everything that has ever mattered to you. You’ve been through hell, and I’m sure there is more to come. Alvarez is not going to sit and wait for you to get your shit together. He’s already looking for another distributor. But none of that matters right now. We’ll figure it out together. Like we always do. Right now, what matters is what always matters first. Family. She’s not like other women. She’s smarter than you, and that scares the shit out of you because she is ahead of you, but that doesn’t make her better. It makes you better if you want to rise up to meet her because she is here. She has opened herself and her world to you. Protected you, protected us. If you were going to run, you wouldn’t be playing with that little purple velvet box that has your Grandmother’s ring inside, now would you?”
Before I can react, I hear a wolf whistle. My head spins, and I’m looking at Tobey. “Hey, Mister Big stuff, you’re missing the party. Your little chickadee made out like a—hell, I wish I had holidays like this. Come on, before I am forced to tease you relentlessly for being a big chicken.” He purses his lips and finger waves at Sully. “You need to come inside and make some introductions, handsome.”
“We’re coming,” I call after Tobey, and Sully nudges me. I turn around to head back to the truck. “I forgot the whiskey. I’ll be right there.” I run out and grab it. Taking a couple of deep breaths. I suddenly feel like I can’t breathe. “I know I’m a fuck up, but please don’t let me fuck this up for my family.”
I run back toward the door where Tobey and Sully are waiting. Tobey is talking away. Walking inside, I’m led toward the right, where everyone is watching Toney and Ciara on the floor. My God, did my girl make out like a bandit. There’s stuff everywhere.
“Da!” I hear Ciara call and shake my head.
“What is it, Ciara?” With her entire hand, she’s doing a come here motion that makes me smile. “I don’t think there’s room with the mess you two seem to be making.” I look over at Doc as she stands and walks over to me, lacing her fingers into mine.
“I may have maxed out my black card.” She bites her lip.
“How the fuck do you max out a fucking black card?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know, but I got an alert.”
“I think I need to sit down.” I rub my forehead. “I don’t think we can have any more kids.”
“Nonsense, she’s the prototype, and a lot of stuff lasts forever.” She lingers against me, her head on my shoulder. “Come meet Gio. He’s on the back patio, having a smoke. I think you’ll like his brand.” Toney waggles her brows. “He had the dispensary deliver some really good kush-at least that’s what Tobey tells me.”
“I’ve got to drive us home, Doc. I did bring him the best Irish Whiskey.” I hold the bottle up. “Sully, watch the kid, and don’t let Roe corrupt her any more than I already seem to have. Where’s Finn?”
“Out back putting stuff together.” Her voice raises slightly like I’m gonna get mad if I see any more stuff.
“I’m taking your cards, woman.”
“Oh, come on, all I need to do is a couple of tit jobs and a tummy tuck to put it back.”
“You’re going to give me gray hair before I’m fifty. I can feel it.”
“It’ll mature you.” She drags me away with a laugh.
Here goes fucking nothing.
