“No. Don’t worry about me. I’ll figure this out.” Gio pats my shoulder before heading toward Ruin, who’s currently showing Mama sonogram pictures for what’s probably the hundredth time today.
At the thought of losing someone I love, my mind goes straight to Penny.
Before I talk myself out of it, I fire off a text.
Miles: Hey, boss. How’s it looking in Vail?
I snap a picture of the Christmas tree while I wait for her response.
The fireplace crackles beside it, filling the room with warm light. Mama hung stockings for all five of us kids along the mantel, and this year she wanted to add two more for the babies besides Sage and Indigo’s.
Rain and Ruin told her they didn’t know the names yet.
Mama was deeply offended by that information.
My phone pings.
And fuck if my heart doesn’t start acting stupid.
Penny: Wow! Pretty! We’re good, just chilling and catching up with my cousins.
I stare at the screen longer than I should, waiting for a picture that never comes.
“Aww, Miles. Did someone ghost you?” River asks from behind me.
“Fuck you, bro. Why would someone ghost me? I was just checking the weather.” I cringe the second the words leave my mouth. Jesus Christ, that was bad.
River snorts. “Yeah, right. And I’m eighteen again.”
I narrow my eyes. “Wait a minute. Was that a joke?”
River lunges before I can escape, immediately throwing me into a chokehold.
“Mama,” I choke out like I’m in my final moments. “Riv’s trying to un-alive me.”
“Miles John. River Phoenix. Enough,” Mama says in her no-nonsense voice.
River releases me so fast I almost stumble forward.
I cough and make a show of it, clutching my throat. “Thanks, Mama. I always knew I was your favorite.”
“Miles,” Mama warns while trying not to smile. “Stop being dramatic. You scared the kids.”
Shit.
I glance toward the twins. Indigo looks genuinely concerned, while Sage looks one second away from laughing at my suffering.
“Sorry,” I say. “I got excited because River made a joke. Thought I was hallucinating.”
Gasps and dramatic reactions explode throughout the house.
River glares at me. “I hate you.”
“No you don’t.”
“Wait,” Rain says slowly. “Is this because of a certain vet?” She wiggles her eyebrows.
River closes his eyes like he’s reconsidering every life decision that he made for this family.
