Page 13 of Homesick, Lovesick (Harper Valley Witch #3)

In the end, everything was kind of humdrum. The fallout usually was. Lynwood, Marvin, and Carmen went to prison. Minerva and the others were cleared of involvement, she got the expanded territory, and last he'd heard she was seeking out people to fill all the empty Guard slots as there were plenty of people tied to Carmen that she simply did not trust.

What would become of the fancy wards, he didn't know and didn't care.

Match's parents took them to dinner to celebrate their engagement, and the waiters were happy to open the wine at the table, and otherwise he drank water that came from a pitcher left at the table.

It really fucking sucked this was an issue now, but whatever. He'd deal, and maybe, with time, get past it. If he didn't, anyone who mattered didn't mind. Talking to his uncle had also helped immensely. Who would have thought one drink—well, one and almost a second—could fuck you up so much?

After dinner, they helped pack up everything.

"I came loaded for bear,"

Jordan said with a laugh as she stood with Match watching Ronan and Darius load the car.

"Figures we weren't here even two full weeks. Not that I'm sorry to be going home, much as I love to see you boys, and your house is lovely. The cats certainly approve. They barely ever left the pixie enclosure. They came for snacks and bathroom breaks and to make sure they tripped me while I was getting out of the shower, that's about it. Might have to get them some damn pixies now, they love them so much."

Match laughed.

"We'll come up for New Year's. I'll bring some good starter pixies for you."

"Deal."

She kissed his cheek, hugged Ronan, and then they were gone.

Match sighed.

"I know we've been home a couple of days now, but it really only feels like it now. Rick called earlier, asked me if I wanted him to invite Maddy and the others to our engagement shindig."

"What did you say?"

"I said yes. This weird stalemate can't last forever. I don't know if I'll ever call them friends again, but I'd like to try. I do miss them, the friendships I thought we had. I dunno. Maybe I should have said no."

"If you want to mend fences, then do it. If you change your mind, fuck'em. Deciding when to keep trying and when to cut people loose is a difficult, heart-draining matter. I still love my parents, but I don't like them, and being in their vicinity was bad for me. I've been a hundred times better without them. But I still hate every day that's the choice I had to make. You make whatever choice is right for you, and ignore everyone who tries to make you feel bad about it."

Match smiled and slid arms around his waist, leaning up to kiss him softly.

"You're always so chill about it, easy to forget you've made this kind of choice before and are never left in peace about it. Well, not forget, but easy to stop fully appreciating. My cool under pressure of all kinds paladin."

"Oh, I was pretty fucking hot every time Lynwood so much as breathed near me or you,"

Ronan said.

"Do you think it would be childish to send them care packages in prison that are just filled with bugs?"

"Yes, but the imagery is delightful,"

Match replied with a laugh.

"All right, here's what we're gonna do. You're going to shower, then enjoy a beer and TV. I'm going to sit with my pixies for an hour or so, then get a shower. Then you're going to fuck me through the mattress, and after that we're sleeping clear through to next weekend."

Ronan grinned.

"Excellent plan, fiancé. Now let's get to executing it."

He kissed Match one last, lingering time, then headed off to complete step one.

End