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I didn’t feel one ounce of guilt or regret for doing it, and that only made me more nervous.

My twin and Lan knew the real reason I called everyone here so they both waited patiently, even though Emmie didn’t know why he sat quietly, except for Mikey, of course.

But I knew Mikey was being Mikey to break the awkward energy swirling in the room.

Because whenever I gathered the band for a meeting, I was equipped with a plan and was quick to get to the bottom of it, but now I was stalling, which they knew was unlike me.

Okay, Katy. That’s enough. You can do this; these are your boys.

I took a deep breath before I started, “So the reason I called you all here today…”

Their intent eyes landed on me.

“It’s because I quit,” I mustered a steady tone. “I don’t want to be the band manager anymore. I never wanted to be one. I think it’s finally time for me to move on to things I really want to do.”

I bunched my clammy palms on the skirt of my navy sundress as they regarded me, my heart speeding by the second.

Emmie was the first one to break the silence. “You scared me there for a second, K. I think I’ve had enough bad news this year.” He huffed a breath before his blue eyes met mine. “I respect your decision Katy,” he said softly. “I will never hold it against you if you don’t want to manage us anymore.”

“Yeah, K.” Mikey smiled as he got to his feet and wrapped his arms around me. “We will miss you being all adorable and bossing us around, but I think we have worried you enough. It’s time for you to settle down and be happy with that fucker.”

Emmie swooped in to hug me next. “Just because you’re gone doesn’t mean you’re not a part of the band. You’ll always be a member of the Four Foxes, K.”

A sting burned my eyes before I could stop myself, and by the time Matty pulled me into a hug, I was openly sobbing like a fool.

“I swear it was only because of you guys that I survived this long,” I blubbered, warm tears streaming down my cheeks. “I love you guys so, so much. I’m still always going to be around. You don’t have to worry about anything. I’ve asked Chris to take over, and the transition will be smooth. I even hired a few other staff so you guys don’t have to lift a finger…”

“Katy, angel.” Lan’s eyes glinted as he tugged me to his chest. “It’s okay. I’m sure we can figure things out with Chris, but it’s over now.” He softly ran a hand along my spine. “You’re relieved of your job. You don’teverhave to do something to proveanything to anyone anymore,” he whispered just for me to hear. “You’re perfect just the way you are.”

I stilled.

You’re perfect just the way you are.

Oh, what my younger self would have done to hear that just once. Maybe if she had, she wouldn’t have chased the perfect social media life while she lived like a stone-cold statue on the inside.

Maybe then she would’ve been happy.

“I love you guys,” I muttered.

There, I’d done it.

I cracked open the one safety blanket I’d been hanging onto forever, and I wasn’t sure how I felt. But I could compare it to the same feelings that rushed through my blood while I rode on Lan’s bike.

“Let’s give our girl the best farewell party ever,” Mikey announced with a grin, messing my hair. “Get every chocolate milkshake in the city delivered.”

I laughed, shaking my head. A chocolate milkshake or milkshakes did sound good. I was hungry enough to drink at least three in a row. I was going to become a whale from the amount of food I was consuming on a daily basis. I had already felt the repercussions of it add to my face, boobs and belly.

Emmie smiled, nodding. “I’ll ask Evelyn to come down and bring the girls.”

“Yes please.” I sighed happily, looking forward to spending some time with my girls. I haven’t been the best friend to them recently, and I really wanted to make it up to them.

But not as much as I wanted to make it up to my man, who was still giving me the cold shoulder despite our indecent encounter on his bike and his fleeting moments of kindness.

I missed him. I missedus.I needed to apologize and beg on my knees for him to take me back.

But I knew that wouldn’t just cut it. I needed to show Lan that I have changed, show him that this time things will be different. I needed to show him that there was no way in hell that I could breathe without him by my side.

That was going to take a lot of time and patience.