“Ivy’s always so bossy.” Our sister isn’t shy or demure. She grew up with three rough and completely asshole brothers. She is ruthless, but she had to be to survive around us. “She wouldn’t have cut ties with you, though.”
“You think so? I think she would’ve without a second thought. She said she was done with my shit.”
I chuckle, imagining her laying into him. “I think we’re all done with your shit.”
“Why am I such an asshole?”
“That’s a question you have to ask yourself. We’re not your enemy, but you treat us like we are sometimes.”
“Anyway, we’ll get into my fucked-up shit another time. I’m just glad Ivy called and I decided to take a drive. The entire situation would’ve gone to shit if I hadn’t shown up when I did. A few minutes would’ve meant the end of Tate.”
“I wish I could come to the compound, but I can’t leave the kids.”
“I got this shit handled. How’s my Hazelbug?”
“She’s okay right now, but her arm’s going to hurt like a bitch later.”
“Can I drop by tomorrow and see her after I get Katie all sorted?”
“Of course.”
“Thanks. Poor kid.”
“Hey,” I say, grabbing the last bag from the back. “Tate wanted me to tell you thank you.”
“No problem. I’m glad I could help.”
“And I wanted to say thank you too, brother.”
“It’s what I should’ve always been doing. Looking out for you and yours, Wyld. I’m sorry I’ve been a shithead your entire life.”
“I’m sure you were before I was born, too,” I tell him, and he bursts into deep, loud laughter.
“Later,” he tells me.
I don’t get a chance to say goodbye before he disconnects the call.
I stand outside on the street, watching Tate, Maddy, and Hazel in the living room. They’re talking as they shovel ice cream into their mouths, looking so damn happy.
This is what life’s all about, and I almost lost it in the blink of an eye.
12
TATE
“You look like shit today,”Gigi says as she sits down next to me at the front desk of Inked.
“I feel like shit today.”
“What happened? Is Hazel okay?”
I give her a sorrowful smile. “She’s good, but something happened before they got home last night, and it has me reeling.”
“What’d Wylder do?”
I shake my head. “It was his ex.”
Her eyebrows crinkle together. “Doesn’t she live out of state?”
