Page 122 of Terror Tuesday

“You coming up to the house, Olivia?” Oz asks while reaching for her free hand.

I slap it away, and he dances backward with a laugh like I actually hurt him.

“I have to get back to campus for the day.”

Valor eyes me carefully. “She hasn’t met Mom and Dad yet?”

My tongue finds its way into my cheek. “Not yet. But she will.”

Valor and Oz laugh loudly, then toss their helmets back on.

“It was great tofinallymeet you!” Oz calls out before they take off.

Apollo lingers. Shrugs. Wanders back toward his Kawasaki. “If you need anything…I got your back.” He glances between the two of us. “Olivia? That goes for you, too.”

“Thanks,” she says, her voice soft with gratitude.

He nods once. And then he’s gone.

“You okay?” I ask as she nestles into my chest. I close my eyes at the comfort in that.

“Yeah…I like meeting your people.”

I give her a tender kiss goodbye and make sure she drives off safely before gathering my stuff inside and heading toward my parents’ place.

In the garage, I park my bike with my brother’s and Oz’s, then stroll in through the rear entry and find my mom reading upside down on a sofa in the living room. Feet over the back. Red hair splayed out on the fancy rug that’s been in the house since it was built.

“Hello there!” she says. I reach for her hand and pull her up until she sits. “I didn’t know you’d be coming home this weekend!”

“I did,” Dad says, walking in and pulling me in for a side hug. “Did she like the place?”

Mom tucks some hair behind her ears and glances at me eagerly, trying to contain her excitement at knowing my answer.

“I think so. Maybe I should’ve taken her to the estate after I’d worked on it some more. Showed her the guest house first.”

“If she’s worth you, she’ll love it,” Mom says with a solid nod.

“And the plans? Did you discuss them with her?” Dad asks, perching next to his wife. It was time to recruit him for help, so I’d informed him loosely of the ideas I’d had. We agreed thatIwould be the one completing the tasks while Mom and Dad would be there only if I needed them.

I flop onto the loveseat with a deep breath. “Yeah. Not the exact plan onhowyet. Figured I’d give her some breathing room, and then go for logistics later.”

“That’s smart. I like it. If you need me—” Dad starts, but I interrupt.

“We’ll figure it out.”

Deciding to clean up in my old room, I stand to leave, but Mom stops me.

“Uh…we told your brothers and sisters already, but you’ve been busy.”

I can’t help the heavy sigh that leaves my chest, already knowing what she’s going to say.

“Your dad knocked me up again. So, yay! Another brother or sister!”

“Hopefully, both,” Dad says.

“Uh-huh. Okay. Congrats,” I tell them, and they both laugh. “Violet’s going to be upset that she wasn’t good enough to end the lineage.”

“Oh, she already got mad. Valencia’s excited. Your brothers reacted just like you. But that’s fine. You’re out of the house anyway. No diaper duties. Unless you want them.”