page86 (1/2)

Brenna strode up as Aunt Callie gave A Olive

“Hey, doll,” she said, pulling ood to see you”

“Even if I bring doom and destruction with me?” I asked dryly I couldn’t help myself Brenna had always been kind to me, but I sometimes wondered if it was all a show to keep the peace She had to get along with my ether, but also, she was my brother’s mother-in-law But she was also Leo’s mom—and I wasn’t exactly kind to hi

Brenna let out a little noise of surprise and leaned back, keeping her hands on my shoulders “Hell, honey,” she said with a little chuckle “Everyone else has done it at one point or another, myself included—I’d say you’re due”

I couldn’t help the startled laugh that fell out of my mouth

“I know you’re always nervous when you co here as much as anyone else, okay? You keep your chin up and don’t take any shit”

“Okay,” I whispered, so quiet I wasn’t sure if she’d heard me until she winked and nodded in approval

“Introduce o of me as she turned toward Amy

“This is Olive,” I said, unable to keep the pride out of my voice

“Oh, she’s beautiful,” Brenna said, leaning down to run a fingertip along the top of Olive’s hand “What a sweetheart How’s she sleeping?”

Aunt Callie laughed “We always ask that,” she said, shaking her head “Like it matters”

Brenna chuckled and glanced at“It doesn’tyou up at all hours She’s still a good baby, either way, and I promise it doesn’t last forever”

“I think it’s just a roundabout way to ask thefrom side to side “Don’t be afraid to ask for help, if you aren’t,” she said to me “There’s plenty around here that’ll hold her for a while if you need a nap”

“Shit’s been so crazy,” Mark said from behind me as he slid an arm around ave birth”

“Well, that’ll change now,” Aunt Callie said “I can’t i a hoood you’re home”

The conversation continued and I was thankful for Mark’s ar—I still didn’t have a home base I didn’t have a home The clubhouse wasn’t somewhere I could stay indefinitely, and I kneithout a doubt that I couldn’t stay with my parents, either They would let me—no doubt about that—but I refused towith the scene of the shooting right outside mymade me want to barf

“You ready for bed?” Mark said quietly into my ear