Page 144 of The Penalty

Momma: Dinner time work?

Bestest Son Ever: ye

I’m supposed to have dinner with the team, but I can’t. I have to fix this for Rhys and Tobi. After a quick text exchange with Porter, he tells me good luck and to let him know if I need anything.

Teddy changed Rhys’ contact to My Love

Double Stuffed: im gonna talk 2 tobi 2nite

My Love: How are you going to do that?

Double Stuffed: got mom involved

My Love: Oh, that’s smart.

Double Stuffed: told u i was smart

My Love: Do you want me to come with you?

Double Stuffed: nah this is brother stuff

My Love: K.

Double Stuffed: wut the hell is that for!

My Love: What was what for?

Double Stuffed: the fuck you K.

My Love: What the hell are you talking about?

Double Stuffed: every1 knows K. means fuck you like the fu thumbs up

My Love: Who knows that?

Double Stuffed: lit-oral-e every1

My Love:

Double Stuffed:

We are going to have to address this later, because he might hate me after texting like that.

I get to my parents’ house with a jumble-y belly but determined face. Tobi is mad. He’s hurt, I know that, but we’re fixing this. We aren’t leaving until we do.

He can be mad at me, but he can’t keep ignoring Rhys. Rhys needs him, and he needs Rhys.

I open the door, and Mom is pulling what smells like pot roast out of the oven.

Oh. Fuck. Yes.

Savory, beefy, potato-y goodness.

“Hi Momma.” I give her a side hug once the hot dish is on the counter.

“Hey kiddo.” She leans her head against my shoulder for a minute, then steps away and gives me themomlook. I’m in trouble. I knew it was going to happen, but I was hoping to get Tobi less mad at me first. “I don’t know what you’ve done to your brother, but fix it.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I kiss her hair and go to find my brother. I say hi to Dad, give him a hug, get a look from him, and tell him I’m on it before knocking on Tobi’s door.

---