I love you.
Almost instantly, my mom replies.We love you too.
Dad chimes in next, even though I know they’re probably sitting next to each other watching TV.Everything okay?
Yes, everything’s fine. Was wondering if Reese and I could come over for dinner tomorrow. I’m craving some of Mama’s greens.
I get the heart-eyes emoji instantly from my mom and a thumbs-up from my dad. They only send emojis when they’re choked up, as they always said there was nothing good about them unless you can’t talk.
Okay, honey, we’ll see you both tomorrow.
I close my phone after reading Mom’s last text and glance up to see my man looking over my shoulder.
“We going to dinner?”
“That okay?” I didn’t ask him the first time, when we went over there before I was taken. I never assumed it wasn’t, but maybe I should have.
“Never a problem. Just thinking that maybe it would be okay if I bring my dad. They’ve talked a few times on the phone….” He trails off, and I know what he’s saying—that they talked when I was kidnapped. “Think it’s time they meet in person.”
“You know Mama always makes enough for ten,” I say with a smile as I hug him tight.
“In that case, maybe I should come too,” Bass jumps in with an easy grin.
“Hey, Bailey, think we can talk?” Jordan interrupts, and the way he asks makes me pause. He’s never serious unless he’s being my coach at the gym, but he has his serious face on right now. So does Meekail, who stands behind him.
“Um, sure. Do we need to go somewhere, or are you okay with talking in front of Bass?” They already know I’m not going anywhere without Reese at my back.
“No issue, since I think the club will be involved,” Meekail says.
I feel Reese tense a bit and notice Bass out of the corner of my eye step in so we’re close enough to have a private conversation in a noisy bar.
“We wanted to know if Hunter could come stay with us.”
My eyes grow wide. I never thought Jordan would ask that. Neither of them has ever shown any interest in kids. Sure, they’re nice to them, but there were never any talks about having any. Hearing him say this is a complete shock.
“You mentioned that he’s about to age out of the system and needs a place to stay,” he continues. “We’re offering him a place to stay so he can go to school and not worry about finding a job.”
“Club’s already stepped in and offered him a free room and board,” Reese says at my back.
I watch as Jordan looks to Meekail, who nods and places a hand on his back in support. “Well, we think we would be a better place for him right now,” Jordan insists.
“Why?” Bass asks with a tilt of his head.
“Because I know what he’s going through.”
I cover my mouth in shock at Jordan’s words. “Were you… were you…” I can’t bring myself to say it. And thankfully, he shakes his head.
“No, but I was roofied in college. A couple frat guys thought it would be funny, but one of them took it too far.”
“Oh my God.” I can’t even imagine. And he never told us. He’s lived with this for who knows how long, and I never knew.
Looking at him and Meekail, I see what I’m hoping for one day: to be able to talk about what happened to me without breaking down completely. I’m getting better, but I know I’m not where he is right now, not yet. But one day I will be. And maybe Hunter will be too.
“Um, I’m not sure what Izzy did to work with Child Protective Services, since Hunter doesn’t turn eighteen for another month, but maybe—” I look up at Reese, and he nods, as does Bass. “—we can make it work with him going with you two. If he wants to, of course.”
Jordan nods several times, and his shoulders drop rather than staying up at his ears like when this conversation started.
“He’s made it no secret that he wants to join the Hounds. But Law wants him to have a clear head on his shoulder before he joins and not just full-on revenge,” Bass explains with a nod, as if he’s trying to convince us all that this is the best option.
