Page 32 of Shattered

“Holy shi—oot,”

“Whoa, Jett. That’s the latest MacBook.” Phoebe whistled her pleasure.

“I know.” With eyes glazing over, he lifted his head. “Jade. How?”

“It’s from me and Koen.” He launched himself into my arms before I had the chance to utter another word. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I lost myself in momentary bliss. I hadn’t even noticed he’d landed on my injured toe until he shifted, causing me to flinch in pain.

“Sorry.” He grimaced.

“Happy birthday, Jett. Love you.”

“I love you too, Jade.”

A wave of sorrow whirled through my mind while I lounged on the couch, where Koen deposited me with strict instructions to rest. We’d missed this, Jett and me. This sense of belonging, which only came with being a part of something greater than ourselves. A family brought together by happenstance rather than biology, since we’d discovered the hard way blood was not always thicker than water. Even the three years we had with Gran—while wonderful—didn’t hold a candle to the bond we’d formed in such a short time with this amazing group of people.

They were our tribe.

“When are the kiddos going to bed? I need some alcohol to soak up all these carbs.” Henley leaned forward, dunkinganother piece of bread into the dill dip, then popped it into her mouth.

“Let’s not make excuses. We need alcohol because it’s alcohol.”

“Who said we had to wait? Koen,” Lanie hollered. “Yourwifeand her besties are in need of adult beverages.”

“Beer or wine, Angel?”

“Wine, please.”

He and Keaton had been taking turns with Jett and Phoebe for the last hour or so, playing air drums on the VR headset while the girls and I watched the image cast on the TV screen. It was hysterical to watch, especially before we figured out they had to give each other a wide berth during the game. I couldn’t tell you how many times the controller went flying across the room, or one of them got whacked with it when they got too close to whoever was playing.

“You’re incorrigible, Alaina Biggs.” I elbowed her in the side.

“Unapologetically.” She grinned.

Moscato flowed fast and free until every last drop of the three bottles Lanie brought were consumed. Despite the way my day started, it was rounding out to be one of the most memorable; in all the good ways.

Jett thanked everyone for a second time, then he and Pheebs darted up the stairs, whispering excitedly about all the new shows they’d be able to binge-watch with his new streaming subscription.

“We had a great time,” Henley slurred, clinging to Keaton’s arm.

“The best,” Lanie agreed.

“Let’s hit the road, ladies. I want to get home and check your sugar levels before bed, baby.” He escorted them down the sidewalk with a quick wave over his shoulder.

Henley’s diabetes, quite frankly, scared the shit out of me. Yes, she had it under control with diet and medication, still, it was always something I’d worry about. Witnessing the level of Keaton’s love and the attentiveness he gave to her disease did go a long way to ease my troubled mind.

“I’m just gonna grab my bag out of the car. Be right back.” Koen kissed my cheek on his way past while I stood on the porch with my mouth hanging open.

What just happened? Grab his bag?

He returned less than a minute later with a black duffel bag slung on his shoulder, ushering me back through the door, and flipping the locks in place. Finally, the wine haze wore off long enough for me to form words.

“Um…Koen? What the hell?”

Okay, so they weren’t the greatest words I’d ever spoken, but they got my point across. At least I hoped they did.

“I’ll take the couch. Can you grab me a blanket and a pillow?”

“No.” I shook my head.

---