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Now that I am, I have no intention of doing any fucking good at all.
I’m here to raise hell.
“You could have called! You could have given me a warning so I could have at least had the house deep-cleaned and arranged a ride for you! I would have baked you a cake. I’m so pissed off; I’m barely even happy to see you!” Dolly bursts into tears as soon as she’s done yelling, running up to me and throwing her arms around my neck. Her long black hair slaps me in the face as she wraps herself fully around me, shaking and sobbing uncontrollably.
Emotion stirs up inside my chest at my little sister’s incredible ability to express herself, always wearing her feelings fully on her sleeve. I pat her back, squeezing her tight.
“I’m here now, aren’t I? I’m here to stay, and you know I fucking hate parties.”
Heavy footsteps are clomping down the hall. I look up into the eyes of Duke and Sterling. They both gawk at me for a moment before grinning from ear to ear.
Sterling walks over first, slapping me on the shoulder. “Well, fucking hello, brother.”
Duke walks over next, pulling Dolly back gently to go in for his own hug.
“Looks like you finally started growing some chest hair,” I say.
Duke, who’s shirtless, chuckles as he pulls back and reaches for the coffeepot. “We’ve all had to grow up since you left.”
Sterling pours himself a cup next. “When did you get out? How the hell did you get out?”
“Yesterday afternoon.”
I came home after bull riding, expecting everyone to be up, but I guess they’ve all started a bedtime routine. I went straight to my old room and lay awake, wondering if it was a dream. The bed felt like I’d never even left, and thankfully, I woke up still here instead of inside a prison cell, realizing it was all in my head. I couldn’t sleep. I just kept trying to trick my mind into believing it was real and I was actually home for good.
I had anticipated seeing a few of my brothers at The Riders last night, but they must’ve sent some ranch hands to manage the bulls.
Dolly sniffles, reaching for her pink coffee cup as she wipes her cheeks with the sleeve of her sweater. Sterling fills up her cup. Duke stretches his arms out, and I notice how much he’s grown up, his chest and arms bigger than the last time I saw him at the prison.
After the first year, I told my family not to visit. Cash still came every few months to talk business, but the others finally listened to my request. I wanted them to keep living their lives without me. I didn’t want the dangerous connections I was making in prison to catch on to how close-knit my family and I were.
“Where’re Dad and Cash?”
“Cash is probably in the barn, saddling up to check the cows. Dad won’t be up for hours,” Sterling answers.
I take a slow sip of my coffee. In the three and a half years I was locked up, my father only came to see me once. He was drunk and could barely hold a conversation. It doesn’t sound like much has changed.
“Guess I’ll go see what Cash needs help with then.” I pour the rest of my coffee down the sink, turning to exit out the back door.
Dolly pulls me in for one more hug. “Don’t think you’re getting out of a family celebration tonight and an in-depth story time about how you got out so early. As soon as I get dressed, I’m going to town for fresh strawberries and cream to make ice cream.”
“I can’t turn down your homemade ice cream, Dolls.”
3
ROSIE
If I could afford to call in sick to work, I definitely would. If I was in my right mind, I would just quit.
I stare at myself in the rearview mirror of my Honda minivan, debating what kind of mental problems I must have for showing up here today of all days.
They’re going to notice you did your hair and makeup. They’re going to be able to tell you wore your best bra and booty scrunch leggings.
I exhale, trying to keep myself from turning the car back on and hightailing it out of here, back to the world of logic and reason. Before I can talk myself into leaving, I open the door and march up to the house. I’m ten minutes early.
Before I even reach the front porch, the door swings open, and I make eye contact with Duke. He smiles, leaving the door open as he walks out.
“Hey, Rosie. Did you hear Holden’s back? He got out.”
