Page 19 of Contentious

“They will. I’m sure of it.” He leaned in to kiss her. “Will you do something for me?”

“Anything.”

“If you ever feel uncertain about us, will you tell me so we can talk about it? I never want you to be worried or afraid or anything other than happy and content.”

“I promise I’ll talk to you about it.”

“I’ll always want to hear whatever you have to say, even if you’re telling me something I don’t want to hear, such as I can’t run away right now when my siblings need me.”

“It’s tough being the leader of the pack.”

“You have no idea.”

“Seeing you with them helps me to understand you better. They’re so much a part of who you are.”

“They really are.” He glanced at the clock on the table behind her. “I’ve got to get going so I can make it to court for a ten-thirty hearing. And I’m sure Mrs. V is ready for relief with the kids.”

“She’s great with them. I’m so lucky to have her.”

“Yes, you are, and I appreciate her for giving us some time to ourselves.”

“I told her how you offered for her to live with us when we move in with you.”

“What did she say?”

“She couldn’t believe we actually want her there.”

“Of course we do, and not just because she’s such a great help with the kids, but she’s an amazing comfort to you, too.”

“She really is. In many ways, she’s become a fill-in mom to me.” Isla had lost her parents in a helicopter crash when she was in middle school. Denny had come home from college to serve as her guardian until she was an adult.

“I know, so we need to keep her close.”

As they got up to shower and get dressed to go home, Julian couldn’t stop thinking about the insecurities he knew she still carried despite his reassurances. He was determined to do everything he could to make sure she had no reason to worry. And he needed to keep her far, far away from his siblings until they came around to the idea that his life had permanently changed to accommodate her and her kids.

In the Uber home, he checked his phone for the first time since before the premiere and saw hundreds of messages from everyone he’d ever known expressing shock over the news about his parents’ reconciliation. He ignored the texts, for now, and read a Slack message from his father requesting a meeting at one with him, Carson, Griffin, Ethan and Jackson.

Great.

He sent a text to his brothers. Dad wants to meet with us…

Dad can fuck off, Ethan replied.

What he said, Griffin said with an arrow pointed at Ethan’s comment.

So we’re not going to show up? Julian asked.

I’m not, Carson said. I’ve got nothing to say to him.

One question, Jackson said. Are we allowed to blow off the senior partner?

Nope, Julian said, but he’s not requesting our presence as the senior partner, so it’s okay to blow off our father.

His phone lit up with a text from Kaidan in their nine-member group chat. FUCKING HELL, Mom wants to meet with us at one.

Dad requested the same of us, Julian replied. We’re not going.

We’re not either, Kaidan said. They can go straight to hell with their power plays. They can’t force us to engage in this madness. Not anymore.