Page 112 of Control Us (Next Generation 1)

“When did you get back?” Ashton was standing with a man by the front door.

“Holy fucking hell,” Meadow whispered.

The man’s gaze flicked our way.

My eyes widened.

“I got back last night.” He came toward us. “I went to see Mom and Dad and now I’m here.” He stopped in front of Meadow. “Hey, sis.”

Meadow’s eyes shone. She shook her head, holding her arms out.

He chuckled, scooping her up into his arms. “Fuck, I missed you. I missed all of you. Being home. This. Where’s Gigi?”

A sob left Meadow, but she didn’t answer.

“She went to the studio,” I said.

He nodded toward me. “How’s it going, Zach?”

“Good.” It was like seeing a ghost. Even though we had known Ryder was alive and well, Gigi and Meadow’s brother was a hard guy to get a hold of. He had joined the military fresh out of high school, shot up the ranks and who the hell knew what he was doing anymore. It was all hush-hush and highly classified. He made their dad proud. Hell, all of our dads were proud.

We would get random postcards and phone calls every now and again, basically just letting us know that he was alive. But we hadn’t seen him in almost a year.

“You guys act like you haven’t seen me in a long time,” Ryder joked, poking his little sister in the ribs.

“It’s been a while, asshole.” She wiped under her eyes. “God, way too fucking long.”

Ryder only grinned. “Well I’m home now.”

He was but for how long. That was the question.

While Ryder and Meadow talked amongst themselves, I realized that Ashton was nowhere to be found.

My stomach twisted. I loved the fucker, but he was starting to get under my skin, and I didn’t like that. I didn’t like that one fucking bit.

“So, anything new?” Ryder asked, sitting at the dining room table.

Meadow went into the kitchen and came back a moment later with a plate of cookies. “Luna and Zach are fucking.”

“Yeah, because I’m sure that’s what he wants to know after being gone for months on end,” I pointed out, sitting at the head of the table.

“Oh, I do.” Ryder nodded. “Tell me all the news. So, Piper still banging the twins?”

Meadow laughed. “See? And you all thought I was weird for the shit I want to know.”

“You are weird,” I reminded her.

She shrugged. “True. Normal is boring.” She sat beside her brother, pushing the plate toward him. “I tried a new recipe. Luna and Zach are humping like rabbits. Piper wants nothing to do with the twins anymore and they’re sad. Gigi is still lusting after Vincent Jr. Who knows what’s going on there? And me?” She sat back. “I’m going to distract Ashton, so he leaves Zach and Luna alone. I think that’s it. Oh. And Luna’s dad is a protective dick.” She tapped her chin. “I don’t think I missed anything.”

“Interesting.” Ryder sat back, stretching his thick arms up and over his head. He had filled out since the last time we saw him. He was the middle child, but you would think he was the oldest. He definitely took after his dad in the size department. “So, Gigi likes a younger guy, does she?”

“Yeah.” Meadow shrugged. “But like I said, I don’t know what’s going on there.”

“Hey, Zach.” Luna came down the hall and into the living room. “I’m ready but I feel like I grabbed too much.” She held two bags in her hands. “Do I need more or less clothing?”

Less. Definitely less.

I stood from the table and went to her, helping her with the bags. “Look who’s home,” I said, ignoring her questions.

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