Page 170 of Seizing Control: Part Two

Respect them.

Why is it so hard for them to hear me when I ask for the same respect in return?

“Your phone has been beeping like it’s possessed,” Nadia informs me. She slides the offending device over to me. Juggling Garrett in one arm, I lay down my fork so I can open up the messages app. My best friend takes one look at the names on my screen and the number of notifications, and she throws her head back to cackle. “They are the neediest motherfuckers I’ve ever encountered.” She snorts. “I’d be doin’ you a favour if I incinerated them. One giant marshmallow fire corpse comin up... just say the word.”

“I’d appreciate if you refrained from threatenin’ the little man’s daddies in front of him,” I tell her in my best snobby attorney-at-law voice. “It’s unbecoming in a godmother. You can’t expose him to your pyromaniac tendencies until after his second birthday.”

“Only you could make a good point and be the most obnoxious brat about it at the same time.”

“What can I say, Nads, it’s a talent.”

When the back door is opened and my younger brothers traipse inside, another wave of gratitude engulfs me. Even Everett is here, ending his week of silent treatment after his solitary visit during my hospital stay. They are rowdy and boisterous, cracking jokes, as they accept plates of food from Crystal.

The newest prospects join us as well.

My uncles arrive with the other old timers with them.

Over the next hour and a half, my home fills up with everyone I love, from the other old ladies to my M&M girls to the Shamrocks and my brothers. Everyone except for two obvious exceptions. As the president, Slash is conspicuous in his absence. Lazarus makes the club brothers wary, so he’s not as missed, although those who aren’t in the loop do comment on it.

Eventually, curiosity gets the better of me.

I scroll the new group chat that they’ve added me to.

LAZARUS: Hear you’ve been defending my honour, sweet thing

LAZARUS: I’d kiss you for it, but you’ve banished me for six months

SLASH: Quit ya whining

SLASH: My wife saved your life

SLASH: A thank you will suffice

LAZARUS: That rhymed

SLASH: Don’t make me punch you

LAZARUS: He’s a poet and he didn’t know it

SLASH: You and your teeth are easily separated

LAZARUS: Not as easily as you and your wife are separated

SLASH: She kicked you out as well, el stupido

LAZARUS: Low blow, brother... low blow

As I scroll their stream of consciousness, my lips start to quirk. By the time, I reach the Lazarus’ comment about separation, I am full-on laughing. Their banter is reminiscent of old times. Better times. It’s the right dose of hope. A perfect antidote to my guilt. I was scared that they would be so angry at me that my point would be missed. It seems like they have grasped the basics of my request and are willing to keep the dialogue open at least.

With a few well-aimed barbs, of course.

I finish my last piece of chicken, then I type out an update and an invitation. After I attached the photo I took of Garrett with a piece of chicken hanging out of his mouth, my thumb hovers over the send arrow. Grumbling under my breath, I push the device away. It shouldn’t be so hard to send a text, yet I am as nervous as I was the day I first declared my feelings to Zeke. To buy myself the time needed to build up the courage to respond, I nuzzle Garrett’s neck and play peek-a-boo with him using a napkin.

When I return my attention to my phone, I discover the texts have been sent.

LILY: Garrett tried steamed chicken—I think we’ve created a devoted carnivore

LILY: The doctor is likely to give Asher the all-clear for kangaroo care tomorrow

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