My cousin’s reply is instantaneous.

Remus: Yes. Nothing I can do about it unless you’re ready for the Senate.

I grit my teeth together. This is exactly why I didn’t text him earlier. I knew he’d give me some bullshit about family politics, and how this is my fight. I mean, it is my fight, but it still doesn’t seem fair that Fabian uses his spot in the Senate, and the influence that follows with it.

Me: You know I’m not. But how exactly am I supposed to do anything with him breathing down my neck?

Remus: What do you mean?

Sighing, I look down at my phone, letting my mind wander. Remus doesn’t sound like he knows Fabian is now a sponsor of the Sabertooths. But even if he knew, I’m not sure he can do anything about it.

Me: Fabian’s been sending me weird “presents”, even spray painted my front door. And now he’s a sponsor for the team I work for. Don’t tell me that’s a coincidence.

Remus: I didn’t know that, and it’s definitely not with my blessing he’s bought his way in. But there’s still nothing I can do. This is your fight, Lucia. There are those in the Senate that believe my dad was wrong for letting you go, and they’ve sided with Fabian. The Senate is divided, so the sooner you bring your new husband home to meet the fam, the better.

Well… fuck. It sounds like a civil war is brewing, which means that even if Remus wanted to, he can’t be caught helping me. He’s right, though. I need to end this once and for all. Sadly, the person to help me figure my shit out is still not talking to me.

“Enough’s enough,” I say to myself.

I can’t keep stewing in this anxiety-fueled solitude. I need someone to talk to, someone who understands me. I’m done with Gail ignoring me, pretending like everything’s fine when it’s clearly not.

With a resolute determination, I leave Sawyer’s apartment behind and climb into my car. The engine roars to life, a fitting soundtrack to my determination. I know exactly where I need to go.

Driving with purpose, I navigate the familiar streets until I reach Gail’s brother’s house. Parking hastily, I practically leap out of the car and stride up to the front door, my heart pounding with anticipation and frustration.

I ring the doorbell, my patience wearing thin with each passing second. When the door swings open, Gail’s brother stands there, a surprised expression on his face.

“Lucia, hey,” he greets me, his voice tinged with confusion. “What brings you here?”

I brush past him, not bothering with pleasantries. “Where’s Gail?” I demand, my tone firm and uncompromising.

His eyebrows shoot up in surprise at my abruptness. “Uh, she’s inside,” he replies, gesturing toward the house. “But I don’t know if she’s...”

I don’t wait for him to finish, striding past him and into the house. I find Gail sitting in the living room, her expression guarded as she looks up at me.

“Gail,” I say, my voice soft yet filled with urgency. “We need to talk.”

Her eyes widen in surprise as she takes in my determined expression. She opens her mouth to say something, but I cut her off before she can speak.

“I’m not going to stand here and pretend everything’s okay anymore,” I declare, my voice tinged with frustration. “You’ve been avoiding me, ignoring my calls and messages, and I’ve had enough.”

Gail’s expression shifts, guilt flickering across her features. “Lucia, I...” she begins, but I raise a hand to stop her.

“No more excuses,” I insist, the weight of disappointment heavy in my tone. “We’ve been friends for years, and this isn’t how we solve shit. We get drunk and say all the things we wouldn’t normally say. But we don’t ignore each other.”

There’s a tense silence between us as Gail looks down, unable to meet my gaze, and I can sense the conflict within her, the struggle to find the right words. “I’m sorry,” she finally whispers, her voice barely audible. “I’ve just been... you dropped a lot on me, Luce.”

I take a deep breath, trying to temper my frustration with understanding. “I get that,” I say softly. “But shutting me out isn’t the answer. We’re supposed to be there for each other, remember?”

Gail nods, her expression pained. “I know, Lucia. And I’m sorry. I’ll do better, I promise.”

As the tension begins to ease, I feel a sense of relief wash over me. “Good,” I say, offering her a reassuring smile. “Because I need you now more than ever.”

“I actually have tomorrow off,” Gail says, shooting me a smile. “So if you’re serious about getting drunk…” She trails off, but I don’t need her to finish.

“Where?” I ask immediately.

Then we both say “O’Jackie’s” at the same time, and burst out laughing.