“Are you guys always like this?” I ask.
Nate and Matt nod.
“Meh, mostly,” Lunar states.
Danger kisses her neck sweetly in contrast to his previously sexual overtones.
I glance at Matt as he waggles his brows up and down, and he reaches for my stout, taking a large gulp. I purse my lips in fake annoyance, but he chuckles, licking the foam from his top lip, and shrugs, completely taking my beer for himself.
“So, Alex, you’re basically running the lives of Nate and Matt now, right?” Lunar asks, and I tilt my head, looking from one twin to the other, and nod.
“Well, definitely Nate, but I guess Matt a little too. Yeah,” I reply.
“Well, good. Someone needs to sort these dicks out. We need another tough-ass chick in our gang, and I think you suit the billperfectly. You’re officially Recoil material, Alex. You’re a part of us now. You gotta look after these twins when we can’t, okay?” Lunar demands.
“I got your back, Lunar. I’ll take care of them, don’t you worry.”
“You do realize we’re right here, don’t you?” Nate asks.
Lunar and I both giggle. “Yes, mopey Mandy, I do. I mean, I’m not Zaria’s biggest fan, we all know that, but you’re one sad, sorry sack of shit without her. But I’m sure Alex here can cheer you up. She’s all right by me,” Lunar chimes.
I sit up taller, and Matt reaches over, placing his hand on my knee, giving it a little squeeze.
“Thanks, Lunar, you’re pretty freaking awesome yourself.”
“What is this… some sort of fucking mutual admiration society?” Danger mocks.
Lunar jumps on his lap, making him groan in discomfort. “Shut up, prick. Oh. My. God. Alex, you have to come to the wedding!” she calls out.
I open my eyes wide and gasp. I hardly know her, and Danger even less so, but I feel a kind of kindred spirit to her, and I am happy to be a part of the Recoil family. I guess if I plan to be around for a long time, I may as well firmly plant myself in the fabric of their foundations.
“Babe, you can’t invite everyone to our fucking wedding,” Danger scalds, and Lunar scoffs, rolling her eyes.
“I’m not invitingeveryone!And Alex is a part of us now. She’s a part of my girl squad—”
“Your fucking what?”
“My girl squad. My team. You just don’t get women at all, Danger. But we digress. Alex, come to the wedding. You will, won’t you?” Lunar begs, smiling so wide, drawing her bottom lip in by her teeth, and looking hopeful.
I glance at Matt, who’s trying to hide his smirk as Nate looks lost in his own world, so I nod and chuckle. “Of course, girl squad code and all. I wouldn’t miss it for the world, Lunar,” I reply and wonder what the hell I’ve gotten myself into.
Lunar claps her hands together vivaciously while Matt bumps into my shoulder and chuckles.
“See? She’s perfect,” Lunar beams, turning to Danger. “Admit it.”
“Whatever,” Danger mutters, though his faint smile suggests he’s not entirely annoyed.
Matt bumps his shoulder against mine again, his voice low. “Told you they’d love you.”
And as his gaze meets mine, something sparks—a flicker of unspoken connection that leaves my breath hitching.
Maybe, just maybe, I’ve found my place here.
Chapter Eighteen
MATT
Two Months Later
