Page 17 of Fight For Me

That shuts us all up. I suppose I’d known that, but it’s a lot harder to brush it away when sitting in a room with Rose. Not when I can still remember the haunted look she wore for so long after those stories got out.

“I get that, Rosie,” Fox finally says. “But there is a difference—what happened to you was totally awful but it also had nothing to do with your goals and dreams and shit.”

“Goals and dreams and shit,” River grumbles. “You should give up this fashion thing and write greeting cards, bro.”

Fox flips him off. “What Imeanis, we would be taking that chance in order to get something we really want. It would be a choice we’re making knowing full well that even if bad things happen, it will still give us the best shot possible at making this line and our store a success.”

Rose studies her younger brother for a long moment. “When did you get so smart?” she finally asks.

“Apparently while he was hiding in his room teaching himself how to code,” River says.

Fox ignores him, holding Rose’s gaze. “Does that mean you’re on our side?”

She swallows, then looks over at me and Everly. “I’m not going to pretend like this doesn’t scare me,” she says. “But I trust you guys to make your own choices. Yes, I’m on your side.”

Everly promptly bursts into tears.

“What’d I say?” Rose cries, scrambling to get off Leo’s lap to get to Everly.

She holds up her hands. “It’s okay. You’re just the first adult in the family to say that. And I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear it.”

Bodhi squeezes her arm as she wipes at her eyes, trying to get herself back under control. “What will make you feel better? You want some Goobers?” he asks solemnly. “Ding Dongs? I think I grabbed a couple Airheads.”

Everly laughs. “You got any M&Ms in there?”

He leans over and grabs a package then presents it to her as if it’s a string of diamonds instead of a bag of cheap candy. “Your wish is my command.”

“My vote probably doesn’t carry the same weight as Rosie,” River says drily. “But for the record, I’m on your side too.”

“Your votedoescarry the same weight,” I tell him, nudging his leg with my toe. “Thank you, Riv.”

Bodhi claps his hand. “So, we’ve got the mini-Paiges on board and Rose and River. What does Will say?” He looks around the room. “Hey, where is Will?”

“Oh, I didn’t tell you!” Everly says, clapping her hands. “Wyatt came home today!”

My stomach clenches as she explains how he surprised everyone by showing up a few days earlier than expected. “Will and Eva went back to Uncle Cash and Aunt Sam’s house so they could catch up with him.”

“You okay?” Rose asks suddenly, and I realize that I’m squeezing my beer bottle hard enough to turn my fingers white. I exhale, forcing myself to relax, and smile at her.

“Yeah.” I search my brain for an excuse for my silly reaction to hearing Wyatt’s name. “Just thinking I should probably go and talk to my parents one-on-one.”

She nods, looking thoughtful. “I can’t see your mom shutting you down if you tell her this is what you really want.” She grins. “Uncle Levi might be a different story, but he’ll come around.”

“I agree,” River says. “God knows Levi is way more rational than all of our crazy fathers.”

The more I think about it, the more I agree. I have a feeling Uncle Reed is going to be a lost cause, and maybe Daltrey too. But I bet I can get my parents to come around. They might not totally support it, but they won’t stand in my way. And maybe they can talk to the others.

Making up my mind, I stand, setting my mostly full beer on the coffee table. “I think you’re right. I should probably go and get it over with.”

Fox raises his beer in my direction. “Godspeed, Alex. You’re going to need it.”

“Are you okay to drive?” Rose asks, looking concerned.

“I just had a few sips,” I assure her, already standing and looking around for my purse.

Everly grabs my hand. “Are you sure you don’t want to just call them?” She gestures at the table. “I was hoping we could eat all this junk food and wallow together.”

I pat the top of her head. “We can wallow later if this doesn’t work out.” I don’t wait for her to respond before darting to the hall to grab my keys. Now that I’ve decided to go talk to them, I don’t want to wait around.