My family.
Mine.
And I'm never letting go.
* * *
The clubhouse is chaos.Good chaos, but chaos nonetheless.
The Old Ladies have gone all out.There are pink and blue decorations everywhere; balloons, streamers, a massive cake shaped like a baby bottle.
The brothers are standing around looking lost.Rush is holding a tiny onesie while he watches as Cowboy attempts to assemble a crib with instructions that are clearly in another language.Bozo's just staring at the two of them with a lost expression on his face.
"Christ," I mutter.
Enya laughs."They're hopeless."
"Completely."
Warren runs off to find Saoirse.Enya heads toward the women.Chloe’s in the center, glowing, one hand on her bump.She’s surrounded by Ailbhe, Mallory, Gráinne, Caoimhe, and her mam Callie, along with a woman who’s got deep purple hair.
Everly.
She's been in Dublin for months now.She’s doing her postgraduate in Immunology at Trinity.She’s beautiful, witty, and confident.She fits right in with the old ladies like she's always been here.Every single one of the old ladies love her and will be sad when she returns to South Carolina.Her dad, Diesel, is the Vice President of the Fury Vipers; South Carolina chapter.
Making Everly family.
I make my way to the brothers.When Pyro sees me, he lifts his chin in greeting."Tank."
"Pyro.Congratulations."
“Thanks.Still can't believe we’re almost there."
"Wait till the kid arrives, then you'll really be fucked."
He laughs."Probably.But worth it."
Rush comes over, still holding the onesie."How do you tell which way this goes?"
I take it, turn it right way up, and hand it back."Like that."
"Right.Obvious."
"You're gonna be shite at this when your turn comes."
"Fuck off."
I grin.Move to grab a beer.When I come back, I notice where Rush went.
He's near the kitchen talking to Everly.Today’s not the first time that I’ve noticed how different he is around her, how he’s lighter when she’s near.He’s smiling in a way I haven't seen in months.
She's laughing at something he said, touching his arm.They’re easy and natural around one another.Their chemistry is clear as day to anyone watching.But he’s got to be careful.She’s family and off-limits.He’d better not fuck up.
Then Ciara appears, rushes to Rush's side, clinging to his arm, interrupting whatever Everly was saying.
Rush's expression shifts.He’s uncomfortable but trapped.
Everly handles it gracefully.She smiles, steps back, and gives them space.
