Page 91 of The Anaconda Downstairs

I rolled my eyes at him, but I was grinning too. “Yeah, yeah. You're all going to help me set up the terrarium, right?”

“Oh no,” Chris laughed. “This is all you, snake charmer. We'll be cheering you on from a safe distance. Your new pet would like to eat ours.”

“We'll help,” Kelsey said. “I've already hung out with Lady Bananaconda. She's cool.”

Declan gave her a look like she was crazy. Ha. I was definitely making him help me. In fact, I'd make him babysit someday when Pen and I went on our honeymoon.

We all laughed, and I stretched the muscles in my neck that had been tensing since the subject of the snake started. Yes, I was still terrified at the thought of having a snake in the house. But I was also excited. Excited to face this fear, to grow, to make Billy happy, and to share that story with Pen.

She was looking at me with such pride and love that my heart swelled so much I could hardly breathe. “You're adorable and amazing, you know that?”

I pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “I'm just following your example, babe. You've taught me a lot about being a brave example.”

Bring on the danger noodle. I was ready.

We were still discussing the finer points of snake care when the doorbell rang. Billy's face fell, and he and I knew instantly who it must be.

“I'll get it,” Pen said softly, squeezing Billy's shoulder as she passed.

A moment later, she returned with Billy's mom in tow. She looked exhausted, her eyes red-rimmed and her shoulders slumped.

“Billy,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “It's time to go home, sweetie.”

Billy didn't move from his spot next to me on the couch. “Mom, Mr. Kingman said they'd adopt Bananaconda. We don't have to find her a new home. Just us.”

His mom's eyes widened in surprise, darting between Billy and me. I nodded, trying to project a confidence I didn't entirely feel. “It's true. We'd be happy to give her a home.”

“That's... that's very kind of you,” she said, her voice cracking slightly. She took a deep breath, then seemed to make a decision. “Billy, honey, can you go wait in the car for a minute? I need to talk to Mr. Kingman.”

Once Billy had reluctantly trudged out, his mom's composure crumbled.

“I'm so sorry for all of this,” she said, tears welling in her eyes. “It's just... Billy's dad and I... well, I'm leaving him. I don't even know where we're going to live yet, let alone how to handle all of this with Billy.”

My heart went out to her. I wanted to offer some words of comfort, but to my surprise, it was Chris who spoke up first.

“You know,” he said, his voice casual but his eyes kind, “I've got a new apartment building not far from here. Same school district. There's a unit opening up pretty soon. If you're interested, I can make some arrangements.”

Billy's mom looked at Chris in disbelief. “Are you serious? That would be... that would be amazing.”

Holy shit, I was so proud to be a part of this family. But as I looked around at them, the lot of them were sharing some looks that meant there was more to this story than I knew. They'd done something.

Once the logistics were sorted and Billy and his mom had left, with profuse thanks and promises to bring our new fucking pet snake over soon, I turned to my brothers. “Alright, spill. What's this about a new apartment building, Chris? And why do I get the feeling there's more to this story?”

The guys exchanged glances, and I could see them trying to hide their grins. Hayes was practically giggling.

“Well,” Chris continued after getting a nod from my dad. “Dad did some digging. Turns out that 'forest' Odin's always chopping trees in for his stupid videos? It's just the open space behind his apartment building. And he definitely didn't have permission to cut those trees down.”

My eyes widened as I began to see where this was going. “No shit?”

Chris nodded. He might be the golden boy, but he had a penchant for revenge. “Yep. He's been ticketed and fined.”

“Okay, the fucker deserved that,” Pen said. I almost snorted my drink through my nose. She'd always been so much sweetness, light, and positivity, doing her best to ignore Odin. I was loving this slightly vindictive and dirty mouth she had all ofa sudden. “But what does that have to do with the apartment for Billy and his mom?”

Chris shrugged, and Trixie gave him a little swat. “That apartment building is where Odin lives. My company just bought it.”

“And let me guess,” I said, a slow grin spreading across my face. “Odin's lease won't be renewed?”

“Already in violation of a lot of his lease. Looks like he'll probably get evicted.” A flash of anger crossed his face. Remind me never to cross my eldest brother. Jesus. “We don't want trash like that in Colorado.”

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