Page 145 of Roulette Rodeo
"You're not stupid," I say firmly. "You're brilliant. You survived things that would break most people, and you're still kind, still curious, still willing to learn. That's not stupid—that's extraordinary."
She kisses me again, quick and sweet, then goes back to her phone with renewed enthusiasm.
"How do I make Talon have a contact photo?"
"You can customize all the contacts," I confirm, showing her how.
She immediately takes a horrible screenshot of Talon from a meme he sent and sets it as his contact photo, giggling wickedly.
"He's going to love that."
"He's going to retaliate," I warn.
"Good," she says with a grin that's pure mischief.
My phone buzzes with another message in the group chat.
Shiloh: Five minutes out. Save me food.
Talon: We ate everything
Shiloh: I know where you sleep
Red: I'll make sure you get fed
Shiloh: My perfect omega
Rafe: Stop being disgusting in the group chat.
Red: You love us
Rafe:has left the group chat…
Talon:has added Rafe to the group chat…
Talon: NO ESCAPING FAMILY RAFE
Red giggles at the exchange, and I find myself laughing too.
This is what we've been missing—this lightness, this playfulness, someone who makes us remember we're more than our damage and our past.
"I love this," she says softly, looking at her phone like it's magic. "Being connected to all of you. Being part of something."
"You've always been part of us," I tell her. "Since the moment Shiloh found you. This just makes it easier to remind you when you forget."
She nods, then sends one more message to the group:
Red: Thank you for my phone. Thank you for everything.
The responses come quickly:
Talon: Anything for our Little Cherry
Shiloh: Always
Even Rafe, after a long pause:
Rafe: You're welcome.
