Page 39 of Lock 'em Down

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Rolling my eyes, I follow my mom into my home.

Although I’m secretly relieved Mom didn’t lay into me—she probably knows it’s a lost cause since I’ve always played a bit by my own rules—I still can’t sleep.

At three AM, I text Cami.

Me: Hey, Knox, how’d it all go down with your mom?

She surprises me by replying a few minutes later.

Knoxville: Can’t sleep, Ten?

I smirk at her abbreviation for Tennessee.

Me: Nope. You?

Knoxville: Not at all. We had a family meeting via Zoom.

I frown and sit up in bed, propping another pillow behind my back.

Me: You okay? How’d it go?

Knoxville: The fact that my dad and brother aren’t on a flight here is a blessing. Dad thinks I should come back to MN. My sister Jenna was the only balanced voice of reason. Mom wants me to move in with you and has already ordered Thunderbolts gear.

I laugh at the bit about Cheryl ordering gear. Doesn’t she know I’m going to outfit the entire Coleman clan with Thunderbolts swag?

But damn. Her dad wants her to come home. Her brother wants to board a flight. I grip my phone, my thumb hovering over the keypad. I don’t know what to type because…my family has always had my back. Even when I mess up. Or don’t fully appreciate the gravity of any given situation. I’ve never had to weigh in on a woman’s life—her relationship with her family—before. I’ve never cared to.

I swear and fist the duvet with my other hand.

Me: What do you think? Are you staying here?

I watch as the text bubbles appear and disappear several times before Cami replies.

Knoxville: Yeah. I talked to Izzy, too. She helped me gain some perspective.

Knoxville: Plus, I start my new job on Monday. I’m staying.

Relief fills my chest and I exhale loudly.