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“Well, we kinda decided that you didn’t really need one, since you will be with Evan at all times. Plus, he said it would only distract you,” he replies, and Teigan turns her glare to me.

Fuck! Thank you, Kel, for chucking me well and truly under the bus there, I think to myself.

I hold my hands up in a gesture of surrender. “What I merely meant is that I didn’t want people in your ear distracting you from what we need to do. Besides, you will be with me, and I’ll make sure to keep you fully updated.”

Kellan chuckles as the words tumble out quickly, and it takes all of my strength not to punch my annoying little brother. Thankfully, my explanation is enough for Tee, who drops the issue. Or, she does until Kellan opens his big mouth again.

“I’ve just dropped a text in the group chat, letting everyone know I’m starting the test soon, so get ready,” he explains, not looking up as he clicks away on his mobile phone.

“Group text?” Teigan asks, and I groan.

“Are you not in the family group text yet? We’ve been telling Evan to add you for weeks,” Kellan replies, a fucking smarmy look on his face as his gaze flicks over to me.

He knows full well I’ve been avoiding adding Teigan to the chat, and for good reason. Bree said she was going to add her anyway, and I had to threaten her.

When Tee confirms she’s not part of it, she looks over at me, hurt splashed across her face. “Why don’t you want me to be part of it?” she whispers, so only I can hear.

I let out a groan as I sigh. “It’s not what you think, Angel. Trust me when I tell you, keeping you out of it is a good thing. Seriously, they never shut up. They text about random shit at all hours of the day.

“Mostly they spam the group with ridiculous baby photos. My battery has never drained as quickly as it does, since I joined that damn group. I have lost track of the amount of times I’ve left, but Bree just keeps adding me back in, threatening me if I try to leave again. I don’t want you held hostage like that,” I reply, hoping I can get across to her the true horror of the Doughty family chat.

Kellan chuckles beside us, clearly having overheard the whole conversation. “Don’t listen to him, Teigan. He’s just a miserable asshole. You will love the group chat. I can add you, if you’d like?”

I shake my head rapidly, trying to tell her she will regret it, but as usual, my feisty woman just ignores me. “I’d love to join. Here’s my number,” she says, before reading her phone number out.

Within seconds, the fucking ambulance is vibrating with buzz after buzz of messages from the damn chat, and I watch as Teigan’s eyes widen comically. “I warned you,” I mutter as she opens up her phone.

KELLAN

I finally managed to get Teigan into the chat. Give her a warm welcome, everyone.

BREE

Yey! I’ve been telling Evan for weeks to add you. He threatened me when I said I was going to add you anyway.

LIAM

Welcome, Teigan. I bet our big brother is pissed right now.

KELLAN

He’s got that ‘I’m going to kill you’ look on his face.

MIA

Hey, Teigan. Please try to stop Evan from murdering Kel. I can’t look after two kids by myself.

FREYA

So great to have you here, Tee.

KIAN

Is the big vein on Evan’s forehead throbbing yet? He’s usually only minutes away from killing Kel at that point.

EVAN

I do not have a big vein on my fucking forehead.