Gasping, I turn to Damon. “You said you guys were going to wait until the timing was right.”
A shrug as he hugs me tight. “Turns out I have a kid sister who’s damned good at giving advice.” He pulls back. “And swimmers that work on the first try.”
“Ew.” I gag. “No mention of swimmers in my presence please.”
“Would you like more specific terminology?”
“God no.” But I’m laughing and hugging him again and then the news is spilling through the kitchen, congratulations being shared all around.
And I understand why Joey is four months along but they’re only just now sharing the news.
They were waiting until Storm wasn’t here to be hurt by it.
“I love you guys,” I tell her as I hug her tight. “And I’m so happy for you.”
“I’m terrified,” Joey admits. “And so damned excited.” Her expression sobers. “You heard the other news?”
My eyes drift toward Colt. “About Ambrose getting a slap on the wrist?”
A suspension—albeit a long one.
And a fine—yup. A fine.
But no criminal charges.
She scowls. “Yup. It’s bullshit but it’s also not surprising, I suppose.”
“I think we both know that wheels of justice don’t always work like they should.”
Joey went through her own nightmare…and the difficulties that came from securing a fair resolution afterward. “Unfortunately, that’s the truth.” A sigh. “My only consolation is that I don’t think he’s going to last long in the league—and that more than one player wants to make his remaining games a misery.”
That makes me feel better. Slightly.
“There is that.”
She nods toward Colt. “He okay with it?”
I shrug. “He’s had bigger fish to fry.”
Supporting Blake in his move, getting new doctors set up and caregivers and insurance and prescriptions and modifying the house so his brother can be as independent and comfortable as possible.
And doing all that while Donna—not his mother, because she was never truly that—fought him and Blake every step of the way.
But we’re here now.
Blake—and I (and Blake’s foster kittens)—moved in.
Sara with a new job at the local hospital and taking over my lease.
Donna pouting and licking her self-inflicted wounds, both of her sons having gone no contact.
And best of all…tonight we’re celebrating the likelihood that Holly is soon to be on her way out.
Because Blake has a new job?—
As a student advocate.
Adrian is killing it in his classes.
