Page 175 of Rush
"Yeah, I'm good."
"That was necessary."
"I know."
"She's been circling you for a while. I should have shut it down sooner."
"Not your fault. I didn't see it either."
He claps my shoulder. "Come on, let's get back inside."
The atmosphere in the clubhouse shifts after Ciara leaves. The tension that was there dissipates and the celebration picks back up. Music gets louder, drinks flow, people laugh. I find Everly with the old ladies and she sees me coming.
"You okay?" she asks.
"Yeah, I'm good."
"What happened with Ciara?"
"I told her to stay away from us. Pyro banned her from club properties."
Her eyes widen. "Really?"
"Yeah. She crossed a line and there are consequences."
"How do you feel about that?"
"Relieved. I should have done it sooner."
She kisses me quick. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For standing up for us."
"Always."
We spend the rest of the night with the Vipers, celebrating quietly, being folded into the family in a new way. Tank tells embarrassing stories about me from when I first joined the Dublin chapter.
Gráinne gives Everly unsolicited pregnancy advice that makes her laugh. Chloe talks about her own pregnancy and promises to give Everly all her old baby stuff.
It feels like family, like belonging, like this is where we're supposed to be.
I watch Everly laughing with Ailbhe, one hand unconsciously on her stomach. She's glowing, happy, surrounded by people who care about her, and I realize this is what I've been searching for my whole life.
Not just Everly, though she's the center of it, but this whole thing—the brotherhood, the found family, the sense of belonging somewhere.
I grew up in a house filled with violence and fear. I went to juvie convinced I was a monster.
I moved to Dublin trying to escape my past, and somehow I ended up here, surrounded by people who chose me back. Who see my darkness and don't run, who believe I'm capable of being more than my worst moment.
Everly catches me watching her and smiles, walks over.
"What are you thinking?" she asks.
"That I'm happy."
"Yeah?"
