Page 26 of From Angel to Rogue (Four Foxes #6)

KATY

“K, are you going to speak because I’d rather be between my Liliana’s thighs than stare at all these ugly faces,” Mikey quipped seriously, which earned him a hard smack on the back of the head from Emmie.

“Don’t fucking talk about my sister that way,” Emmie spat, pinning him with a glare to which Mikey grinned.

Emmie, Matty, Mikey, and Lan were all gathered in my living room, and for the past five minutes, I’d been pacing the floor, thinking of how to blurt out that I was quitting.

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’t ever have to do something to prove anything 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 missed us. 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.

Not at all like the quick schemes and plots I was used to stirring up.

“You did good, kiddo,” my twin mumbled with a warm smile, holding me close to him.

I rolled my eyes. “You were born one minute before me, Matty.”

“Still my baby sister.” He shrugged.

Just then, the door burst open, and Evy walked in, followed by a smiling Lily and Sierra.

Evy’s soft brown eyes settled on me first. She looked absolutely gorgeous in her flowy pink midi dress. A beaming smile split her lips as she rushed to my side and crashed me into a hug.

“K, I had no idea why Jay called us here, but I missed you and have been dying to see you. Also, did I say I’m super glad that you and Lan decided to move here?

” Her sweet vanilla scent wafted to my nose as I held my best friend tight.

I did so many shitty things to her, yet here she was being Evy and loving me just the same.

“It’s because we have news,” I muttered, and she peered at me with confused eyes.

My eyes went straight to Lan, and I held out a hand to him.

He gave me a knowing nod and reached my side, lacing his strong fingers with my soft ones. Even though we technically weren’t together, we stood as a couple in front of our friends. “First, I had already told the boys, but girls, I have made the decision to quit being the band manager.”

Evy’s and Lily’s eyes widened like they couldn’t believe the words that came out of my mouth. I couldn’t really blame them for their reactions. I did act like my job was my life for the past ten years.

“Second…” My voice grew thick, but Lan gave me an encouraging nod. “Lan and I have decided to adopt a child,” I whispered. “His name is Luka, and he is six. He’s too adorable and we love him already.”

As much as I loved my friends, I didn’t want to let them in on the other struggles in my life. That was only for Lan and me and my brother to know. “Well, nothing is confirmed yet, but we are hopeful,” I added.

Shock slithered through everyone’s expression.

Well, except for Matty and his girl, who already knew that little Luka was soon going to be their neighbor and, hopefully, their nephew.

My heart thudded as the silence stretched across the room. But it didn’t last long, as they erupted in cheers and the girls engulfed me in a hug, followed by the boys for the second time today.

Minutes later, we girls settled in a cozy corner with about four different takeouts and enough chocolate milkshakes to feed an army. The guys took the other corner of the living room, scarfing food like starving animals.

“I think I’m in a sugar coma, but I love it,” Sierra exclaimed, rubbing her tummy. She was in her usual hoodie and boy shorts combo, lying flat with her head on Evy’s lap. Her eyes almost lulled to sleep as Evy weaved her fingers through her silky brown locks.

“I think we all are,” Lily muttered, snuggling close to me from the side.

“You okay?” I asked, concern lacing my tone, my heart tugging at the long, jagged vertical scar peeking from her black ripped T-shirt. Unlike most girls, Lily wore her scar proudly and didn’t shy away from it.

“Yes.” She smiled. “I feel more myself than I have in a long time.”

“Good. That means you’re all better now,” I affirmed, drawing in a sip of my chocolatey goodness. “It’s so good to be back with you girls and move here. To be honest, I really didn’t like LA or the job,” I admitted.

“It shows.” Evy’s eyes danced over my face. “You look like you did back in high school, K. It’s a good look on you.”

“Thanks.” I flushed, grateful they didn’t poke around the why of my decision or the why of my absence for the past couple of months.

“Do you have a picture of Luka?” Lily asked, wiping the grease off her fingers with a paper towel. “I want to see him already.”

Warmth spread across my chest at the thought of him. “Yes.” I found the album on my phone where I’d already sneaked in a dozen pictures of Luka and Lan together.

The girls oohed and aahed over him, saying he was the cutest, and I couldn’t help but stare along with them.

Something tightened in my chest the more I looked at him. Soon, this little human being would be under my care, and I would get to keep him safe from the evils of the world.

That was my job now.

I had the best mother in the world but I still had no clue how to be one to a six-year-old who had the worst start to his life.

But one thing was for certain, nothing bad would ever touch my precious boy again.

Not for as long as I shall live.