Page 10 of Holly Jolly Heat
Before I could overthink it, I typed:
Michelle:My mom's farmhouse has plenty of room. And apparently my little brother wants to meet you anyway, Lucas. But we do this my way—slow, with boundaries, and we figure out the professional side together. Deal?
Lucas:DEAL. Best deal ever. George and I are packing now.
Ro:We'll be respectful of your space. Promise.
Dex:Text the address. We'll be there tomorrow.
I set down my phone and looked at my mother, feeling terrified and excited and like I was standing on the edge of something huge.
"I hope I'm not making a mistake," I said.
Janet smiled, pulling me into a hug. "You're not, mija. You're taking a chance. That's different."
"What if it doesn't work out?"
"Then you'll handle it. You always do." She pulled back, eyes twinkling. "But something tells me it's going to work out just fine."
From the living room, Josh's voice, "MICHELLE! Did you really invite CozyLuke HERE? Maya said you texted him!"
"Maya has a big mouth!" I called back.
"I HAVE EXCELLENT SOURCES!" Maya yelled from somewhere upstairs.
I laughed despite myself, and Mom joined in. Bill headed back to the kitchen, muttering something about needing to make more food if they were having guests.
My phone buzzed again. Ro.
Ro:Fair warning—Lucas is already planning what to stream from Cedar Falls. He's very excited. I'll try to keep him contained.
Then Dex:Do you need us to bring anything? Lucas is packing his entire streaming setup. It's chaos here.
And Lucas:I promise we'll be respectful and professional and we won't push. But Michelle? I'm really glad you're not running anymore.
I read that last message three times, my chest doing something warm and painful.
I wasn't running anymore.
I was standing still. Letting them come to me. Opening the door to possibility instead of slamming it shut out of fear.
It was terrifying.
But maybe that's what bravery was, being scared and doing it anyway.
"You should warn them about your family," Mom said, reading over my shoulder with absolutely no shame. "Fair warning and all that."
I looked at the farmhouse, thought about my well-meaning but meddling family, and realized my pack was going to walk into complete chaos tomorrow.
I smiled despite myself and typed:
Michelle:Fair warning, my mother is a menace, my siblings are going to embarrass me, and my stepfather will try to feed you constantly. Still want to come?
Lucas:That sounds perfect. Can't wait to meet your pack.
Ro:Your family is part of you. Of course we want to meet them.
Dex:Bring it on.
