Page 2 of Last One Standing
“He was doing it wrong.” Gabe shrugged, and Mason rolled his eyes. Then he saw me.
“Hey, Angel, what’s up?”
“JJ is calling a family meeting to take place right before dinner.”
Mason’s brow furrowed, and he looked at his watch. “That’s in like, an hour. You’re going to sit there until it’s time?”
“I haven’t decided yet.”
He slowly nodded and grabbed Gabe’s hand. “Let’s leave this room, babe. Angel is being weird.”
Gabe snorted. “He’s always weird.”
I shot him the middle finger and watched as they walked up the stairs.
Next was Matt, followed by Nick, Four, Shep, Phoenix, and Noel. And soon enough the house was a cacophony of sounds, and not too long after that, the aroma of Shep’s and JJ’s cooking filled the air.
So much for quiet. I stood and went to my room to drop off my book, then to the kitchen to put my mug in the dishwasher.
I leaned against the doorjamb and watched the controlled chaos. Shep was at the stove with JJ next to him, grinning at whatever he was saying. Noel and Phoenix were at the table snapping green beans while Nick periodically grabbed one to eat, earning a smack from Matt. Mason and Gabe were peeling potatoes and playfully arguing about their car-wash situation earlier. And finally, there was Four. He was in the corner, phone in hand, his eyes on me.
When I met his gaze he lifted a brow. He was observant; JJ was too. I was bothered, uneasy, and possibly a little depressed.
Ever since Two had moved away with his family, I hadn’t been able to shake this mood. I hadn’t truly felt anything for anyone until him, and I’d thought the feeling was mutual. But as soon as he’d heard he had a family that wanted to get to know him, I’d ceased to exist.
Aziza had explained it to me. “You want a relationship with someone who barely knows who he is. His whole life, he has been a hostage—someone designed to manipulate others and kill them. Two is years away from growing a romantic attachment, and he may never. Letting him go is the best thing you could do for him right now.”
So, I did. I’d put on a happy face, told him I was proud of him, watched him get into the car with family he didn’t know and drive away.
“Everything is simmering; I need to talk to you all.” JJ broke through my memory, and I looked over at him. “We can do it here; everyone is accounted for.”
“What’s up?” Nick sat back and offered JJ an encouraging smile.
“Okay, so, you all remember when that new fancy club opened up a couple of months ago?” JJ was practically vibrating with excitement.
“There’s a new club?” Matt asked.
JJ huffed. “It’s called Stilettos and Sangria, ring any bells?”
Everyone shook their heads except Phoenix. “Oh, yeah! It’s a drag queen club, right?”
JJ beamed. “Thank you, Phoenix, yes!”
Phoenix turned to Noel. “It’s that place I told you where it’s ridiculously hard to get a reservation—apparently, the headliner has really drawn a crowd, and it’s so impossible to get in.”
“Which brings me to my surprise!” JJ shouted and Phoenix gasped. “No, don’t ruin my thunder.” He pointed to Phoenix.
Phoenix mimed zipping his lips, but he was bouncing. I hated that I had a feeling I knew what was about to come out of JJ’s mouth.
“I was able to get us all a reservation for this Friday night!”
Yup, I was right.
“Ah!” Phoenix jumped up and was clapping. Everyone else was a mix of emotions—some were happy, others either wide-eyed or indifferent, simply shrugging.
“Isn’t that family night?” Matt asked.
“Yes. It’s why I tried for a Friday. It’s the only night you all have to be here, so I knew it wouldn’t conflict with any plans or work.” Judging by his smug expression, JJ was clearly proud of himself.
