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“Then it’s done, pig.” Rafe shrugged.
“Keys, then scram,” Sully said.
Carmelo dug his car keys out of his pocket and handed them over to Sully.
Rafe held out a hand, Carmelo looked at it for a long moment, and then took it. Rafe smiled and pulled him up, out of the chair.
“Thank you,” Carmelo rasped, looking between Sully and Rafe.
“It’s fine…”
But there was a noise from behind them. Rita yelled.
The bar doors slammed open.
“Lyle!” she said, rocketing toward the door, where a sheepish but healthy looking Lyle stood.
“What the fuck, we were expecting you at lunchtime…?” Colt stood quickly and strode over to the guy.
Jared came around the door, with a grin on his face. “I went early, before dawn, told them I wanted him ready to go first thing-”
“Papa Bear,” Ash’s voice now, sounding like he was greeting an old friend.
Nix whooped and pounced forward, punching Lyle playfully in the ribs.
“Oh my god!” April glided over, as much as a pregnant lady could glide, holding hands with Penny. “We haven’t set anything up, we were going to put up bunting-”
“Aw, I don’t give a crap about any of that-” Lyle began to say, his eyes dancing as he watched Penny approaching him.
Penny smiled happily, arms up, going straight for the embrace, lips locking immediately.
“Welcome home, Big Papa Bear.”
Carmelo watched as everyone welcomed Lyle back with open arms and smiled. Even baby Chase bumbled forward shrieking with joy. Shadow the cat trotting along behind the kid with urgent little steps to pull his cat wheelchair along, too.
All previous animosity forgotten, forgiven. Instant warmth, welcome kindness.
Carmelo felt a bittersweet sting as he slinked out the door, to crawl upstairs and find a bed to crash out. He had none of this, he didn’t belong here. As Carmelo passed Colt, Colt braced him with a palm on Carmelo’s chest. Carmelo held his breath to avoid crying and leaned into Colt’s hand for a second.
“That’ll do, pig, that’ll do.”
