Opal pauses, her mouth twisting slightly. “Bolt… well, we all know what he’s like. He was the fun brother, the one who was happy to mess around with me until he lost the baby. Then it was like he disappeared. I’ve only just got him back, and I love him, but I don’t feel like I can go to him when I’ve got a problem.”
She stops talking for a minute as she gazes at me, and her face softens. “But you, bubby, you’remybrother. The one I go to when I need someone to listen without judging. The one who helps me with my homework. The one who took me to prom when no one asked me and made it a fun evening. The one who doesn’t mind sitting quietly with me when I’m having a bad day and don’t want to talk but still want company. The one who is my safe space because you don’t judge me, no matter what I do. You are so incredibly smart. Your IQ is probably higher than all of us siblings combined, but you never make me feel like I’m stupid.”
I laugh. “Not true about my IQ.” Then I sober and scowl as the rest of her words penetrate. “Who said you were stupid?”
“Nobody.” Opal slaps my chest. “Now shut it. I’m talking.”
I grunt; she’s not light-handed.
“You’re incredibly smart, Nickel. If you hadn’t been born into an MC, you’d probably be a rich stockbroker or something. I know we use Crow Investments, but I also know you keep an eye on them and invest your own money. I know you have an account set up for me with more money than I’ll ever know what to do with. So, you need to stop putting yourself down. Are you quiet? Yes. Are you sometimes awkward and don’t always understand society's niceties? Also, yes.”
Opal glares fiercely when I wince at that last part. “But so the fuck what? You’re so much more than that. You’re the best big brother a girl could ask for, andyou were an amazing VP while Copper was gone. You knew what Bolt’s sleigh needed to finish it perfectly. You’re my bubby, the only one I’ve given a nickname to, and you’re my favourite out of all our siblings.”
Opal grips my arms tighter. “And you really need to hear me this time, Nickel, because we all know it.You are the best of all of us!” She shouts the words into the night.
The clubhouse door opens, but we ignore it.
I press my forehead to hers and close my eyes. “Love you, Opal.”
My sister sighs and wraps her arms around my waist, pressing her cheek to my chest. “Love you too, bubby. No more putting yourself down, okay?”
“Okay,” I agree, kissing the top of her head.
“Everything okay here?” Coal walks closer, his gaze searching mine before moving to Opal.
She smiles. “Everything is perfect. Just making sure our brother knows that he’s worth taking a chance on.”
Surprise flares in Coal’s eyes. “Of course he is. He’s the best of us, and he’s a Tin.”
Opal laughs softly before looking up at me. “Told you so.”
A wide grin spreads over my face, and I flick her nose. “So you did, little sister. So you did. But it’s good to hear it all the same. And you’ll have to tell me how you know so much about my personal business.”
She rolls her eyes. “Please, you gave me your password years ago, and you know I’ll never tell anyone else.”
Coal looks between us with a frown. “Am I missing something?”
“Nope.” Opal shakes her head. “Nickel is going to be fine now. Go back home, bubby. Nora’s probably finished in the shower.I’ll see you tomorrow. Love you.” She rolls to her toes, kisses my cheek, and disappears into the clubhouse.
“You okay, brother?” Coal asks, concern in his voice.
“I’m okay, Coal.”
He studies me for a beat. “You know you can come to me with anything, right?”
“I know.” I nod. And I do know.
“Nora doing all right?”
“She is for now. We left her showering.”
Coal hums as he studies me. I’m not sure what he’s looking for, but he seems to find it because he steps back. “Church tomorrow at ten.”
“Opal said. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Turning, I lope back to my home and jog up the stairs. When I get to the door, I scan my surroundings the way Brass and Iron havedrilled into us. I’m surprised to see Coal still standing by the clubhouse door. He lifts a hand and waves. It’s only when I return his wave that he opens the door and disappears inside.
I’m not sure what to do with what Opal said. And Coal agreed. It’ll take me time to process and mull it over.
