Page 81 of Carson

“Serenity and Mila would like to meet you,” he says, letting me know I’m not getting rid of him. He and his wife are here with their children. “They’re upstairs sleeping. We drove all day to get here.”

“I’ll see you guys in the morning. I promise.”

Chance looks at Carver. “Make sure she does what she says she’s going to do.”

“Really?” I ask, placing my hands on my hips.

“Really.” He stands up. “Where should I look first?”

“Cole’s probably upstairs in their family’s room. I have no idea where to find the other one,” Carver says.

“He might be out at Dragonfly Farms. His grandparents have a small house out there.” I point to Jackson as he approaches us. “There’s the man you need to talk to,” I tell my brother.

Jackson walks up to us. “Rage, long time no see. Sorry about all the ruckus. Our club usually isn’t quite this charged.”

Carver and my brother both stand.

“Sorry to hear about Lily.” My brother pats Jackson on the back.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I say, finally able to slip away.

Inside, I find Dan walking Lily to the front door. Shit, they’re leaving. Jesse nods as I pass.

“Dan,” I call out. “Can I have a minute?”

He slows to a stop, turning to look at me over his shoulder. “Sorry, honey, it will have to wait until tomorrow. I need to get Lily home.”

“Can, um, can I catch a ride?”

She touches his arm before he has a chance to tell me no. “Of course we can give you a ride.”

Jesse and Dirk exchange a glance before I jump into action, hurrying after Dan and Lily as they head out the door.

It’s awkwardly quiet as we drive over to their house on Windflower Lane.

“Um, I think maybe I can help,” I say quietly from the backseat, watching Dan drive. Lily has her head rested gently against the window, looking up at the moon.

“It’s okay, sweetheart,” Dan says. “Those boys will work it out eventually. They’re both just a little stubborn.”

“Like their dad,” Lily adds.

I laugh lightly. “Oh, I didn’t mean help with them. I have no idea what to do about those two. But I can help the two of you.”

Dan and Lily look at each other. “With?” Dan asks.

“My mother was deaf,” I say, watching as both of their mouths fall open. “I know, right? Quite the kwinky dink.”

The car falls quiet and I settle back, not sure whether they want my help after what went on tonight. I’m the reason their sons are fighting.

“She was born deaf, so I know it’s not the same, but I want you to know that she held a job, she traveled, she lived … she loved,” I finish softly.

A few minutes pass. “Do you think your life was harder because of her disability?” Lily asks.

“Oh, I didn’t see it as a disability. Neither did she.”

“You were able to communicate with her?”

I unbuckle my seatbelt as we pull into their driveway and lean between their seats. Dan stops the car.