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PEN
“Okay, give it to us,”York says, resting his bare feet on the coffee table as we all gather around for a family meeting later that evening. “What’s this all about? Did I forget to put the toilet seat down again? I mean to be fair I’ve been sick as dog, you can hardly blame me–”
“Let Pen speak,” Zayn scolds, cutting him off with a light tap to the back of his head.
“Ow you fuckwit, no need to be a bully,” York retorts, shoving him back.
“Children, children, can we have your attention please?” Dax interjects, glancing my way when he sees that I’m not laughing at their playfulness this time. Usually I find their banter and boyishness endearing, but there are things I want to discuss with them all and I need their undivided attention.
“Yes,Daddy,” Zayn and York reply in unison, earning them both a death glare.
“I’m never going to live this down, am I?” Dax grumbles, swinging his arm over my shoulder and pulling me into his side.
Xeno chuckles. “You know you could always hand the title over to me.”
“I told you, fight me for it,” Dax retorts.
“Okay, okay, that’s enough,” I say, resting my hand on Dax’s thigh and giving it a gentle squeeze, not because I think he’s going to lose his cool, but because I want to get this conversation moving.
“Sorry, Kid. Tell us what’s on your mind.”
Taking a sip of my water, I place it on the coffee table and say, “I’ve been thinking a lot about us lately, and I wanted to discuss something with you all.”
York shifts forward in his seat, the smile that always brightens his face dimming a little. “Hey, I’m not sure I’m liking the sound of this…” His voice trails off as he looks at the others for any signs that he should be worried.
“Wait, no. It’s nothing like that,” I reassure him, knowing where his thoughts are going even when he hasn’t voiced them out loud. “I love you all so so much, forever–”
“And always,” the four of them reply.
“And always,” I repeat, remembering the day we came up with this saying.
It was about six weeks into the refurbishment of the club and I’d had an argument with Xeno and York over what tiles we should use in the ladies toilets. It had gotten pretty heated, pretty quickly, the stress of the build and the ongoing surgery to Dax’s arm taking its toll on us all, and coming out in surprising ways. The three of us had ended the argumentmaking upin the VIP room on the first floor. Whilst naked and satiated Xeno had told me I was their forever, and I’d responded that they were my always despite our argument. It had stuck. Ever since, whenever one of us says,forever, the rest of us reply,and always.
“What then?” Zayn prompts, cocking his head to the side as he regards me.
“Dax has been getting phantom pain again,” I begin, and I feel him stiffen beside me. “But that isn’t the reason why I want to talk. Well, not the only reason anyway.”
“You didn’t say anything,” York accuses Dax, concern painting his handsome face.
“It’s not a big deal,” Dax replies with a shrug, his hand absentmindedly cupping his stump. “I called Hudson this morning. He pulled some strings and I’ve got an appointment with the consultant in a couple days. They’ll do some checks. I’m not worried. It is what it is.”
York huffs out a breath. “I’m not worried either, mate, but I am pissed off you’ve been keeping this to yourself.”
“Well now you know. I’ve got it under control. Don’t stress.”
“See that’s the thing. Youarestressed,” I point out, giving his thigh another gentle squeeze.
“I’m not,” he protests.
“Weallare,” I continue, cutting him off as I look up at him, then across to Xeno who’s gaze flickers with understanding. “Xeno’s been having a hard time lately too.”
We all look over at Xeno who puffs out his cheeks, blowing out a long breath before giving a sharp nod of his head in acknowledgement. “I have,” he admits.
“You know we got you, bro,” Zayn says in an attempt to reassure Xeno. “If shit gets too heavy, we’re here.”
“I know that,” Xeno replies, swiping a hand through his hair. “Tiny and I worked through some of it earlier today. I’m good.”
