Page 32 of Nicki's Fight

If looks could kill, the glare I got from all three of them would have killed me instantly.

“Okay! Okay! I had to ask!” I said. My alarm went off on my watch and I glanced at it. It was five o’clock. I had just enough time to get home, shower, change and get to The Belt for my shift.

“I’m sorry, guys, but I gotta go. I’m working at The Belt tonight,” I said. “I was late last night, and Sammie will kill me if I’m late again tonight.”

I hugged my brothers one after the other. Hicks hugged me first, but kept his phone in his hand as he did so. He was trying to get hold of Lizzie again. Sonny’s blond mop smacked me in the face as he almost tackle-hugged me, then Lee gave me a quick squeeze.

“Thanks for bringing the water out, Kaine. Tell the moms thank you as well, because we know they’re really the ones behind it,” Sonny said, winking at me as he went back to the cash register.

I laughed and nodded. I wished there was more I could do, but I couldn’t just wave a magic wand and make the guy appear. Besides, I had to get to work.

I made it to The Belt essentially on time—for me. It was ten after six, and the music was already so loud that I could feel the beat in my feet. I entered through the employee entrance and shoved my things in a locker. I grabbed an apron and went to stow my phone in my back pocket when I saw a text in the family chat.

LEE: I found him!

SONNY&HICKS: OMG Thank you man! We oweski majorly!

BISHOP: You don’t owe fucking anything. Cameron does.

WEAVER: Chill, B! It’s all working out, right?

BISHOP: Yeah yeah. Sunshine and fucking roses.

KAINE: WTF Dude? You’ve been crabby for days.

BISHOP: …

LEE: Do you want me to bring him back to the store?

SONNY&HICKS: Nah. Can you just take him to the hotel? Most everyone has left anyways. We’ll plan on starting fresh tomorrow.

LEE: Will do.

MAMA D: RSVP for Devereaux Den D&D tomorrow?

BISHOP: Yes, ma’am!

WEAVER: No can do, sorry Mama Bear! Since I was off last weekend, I’m on duty this weekend.

SONNY&HICKS: As long as the grand opening doesn’t do us in, we’ll be there!

LEE: Yep, I’m in!

KAINE: With bells on, Mama! You know I’ll help you kill the party anytime… Oops? Did I send that to the Fam chat?

MAMA D: LOL

MAMA K: You get us killed, I’ll turn you over my knee!

MAMA D: You can turn ME over your knee… /eyebrow waggle

MAMA K: Bye bye kids, TTYL!

I laughed at my family’s antics. Well, at least Cameron had been found. That was one less thing to worry about. D&D at the Devereaux Den was a standing affair. I knew I’d have to get some sleep tonight, or I wouldn’t be in any shape to play. I had barely stepped behind the bar when Josie’s arms were wrapped around me.

“Thank you so much for covering for me tonight, pretty boy!” they said, hugging me tight.

Josie and their boyfriend were gender fluid. They identified as either non-binary or gender queer. Their gender identity could vary and either of them could fall anywhere on the spectrum, depending on the day. Today Josie was wearing a pretty summer sundress with a spaghetti-strap cami under it. I whistled in appreciation and they twirled for me as I admired the outfit.