Her father had it right. Lotus had it right, too, sharing his knowledge with me at our first meeting all those years ago. Now I needed to make it right.
Deep in my thoughts, I made it through the rest of the drive to Saber’s place in a fog.
“Hey,” Saber said, answering the door after I knocked. “Heard our old man visited you last night.”
“Who told you?” I asked, moving into the condo, Cork alongside me.
“I did.”
My mom rose from the couch. The living room, kitchen, and dining were all connected in one big loft-like space, with the bedrooms in the back. I’d seen it all the night before.
“Your father called my cell repeatedly after you left here. I’m sorry he bothered you. His lawyer contacted me this morning.”
She reached out and took my hands, dropping her gaze to look at them. I wasn’t sure she’d noted all the tats last night. She’d been deep in her own thoughts at the time.
“He’s trying to get out of any monetary responsibility.” She looked up and studied me a long beat, then her eyes widened and she drew in a sharp breath. “He told you, didn’t he?”
“It’s a fucking relief to know I’m not his,” I said, keeping it real.
She’d made mistakes. We all had, but she was my mother.
“Who’s not whose?” Shield stepped out of the half bath, a flush accompanying his appearance. He glanced back and forth between Mom and me while retying the drawstrings on his board shorts.
“Does he know?” I asked Saber.
“No,” he said. “I wasn’t sure how you wanted to play it.”
“I’m your brother,” I said, looking Shield straight in his eyes. “Journey’s just a nickname.”
His eyes flew open wide. “Fucking shit! No way!”
“Yeah.” I shook my head, my lips curving. This wasn’t exactly the response I expected. “Way.”
“Righteous!” He stepped closer, squinting as he looked at me. “It is you, but you look really different.”
“What gives it away?” I asked.
“Your eyes, now that I know who you are.” He tapped his chin. “The color’s a little different, but there’s something in them that’s familiar. The facial hair and the other shit threw me off. Nine years is a long fucking time. Mom missed you a lot, you know.”
“I heard that was the case.” To her, I said, “I’m sorry, Mom. About not contacting you. It just seemed easier and best for everyone involved for me to stay gone.”
Her brow creased as her eyes glistened. “We’re all learning that easier isn’t always best. I wish I could rewind the clock and do things differently. I would have spared all of you boys a lot of pain if I’d left Graham sooner.”
“It’s okay, Mom.” Saber placed his hands on her shoulders. “No one’s perfect here. But we’re together now. That’s what counts.”
“Thank you.” Her expression softened. “Better for me to grow up at some point, even if I’m a late bloomer.” Blinking against her tears, she glanced at Shield and then me. “My boys. All together. Finally.” She opened her arms.
“It’s okay. Don’t cry.” I stepped forward, hoping to ward off the tears. I didn’t like it when she cried, any more than when Lotus did. “We’re all together again.”
“Yeah.” Shield stepped closer.
When Mom’s shoulders started to shake, I reached out to pull her into my arms. Saber yielded to share her. Our circle collapsed inward with her at the center, and she sobbed harder.
My throat tightened and my eyes stung. We’d never been a demonstrative family. Apparently, that and a lot of things were going to change.
“Can I join in?” Cork’s voice was hesitant, but his actions weren’t. He stepped close.
“Is this Cork?” Mom asked, her tears continuing to flow.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said.
“Oh, baby. I haven’t seen you in a long while. Not since before your accident. Yes, you can join us. I expect you to. Come here.”
His blue-green eyes shining, he nodded.
“I’m sorry I’m so emotional.” Mom brushed away her tears. “I’ll get it together. I promise.”
She brought Cork close and swept her gaze around to the rest of us.
“We all need to focus and put our heads together. Storm is back. He’s family, and there’s only one more potential additional member to our newly formed group who doesn’t know who he is. You’re going to claim her, aren’t you, son?” she said, giving me an expectant look.
“Yes.” I nodded to confirm. “I definitely am.”
“Right.” She smiled softly but firmly. “Then you need to know you’re not alone anymore. We’re