The three of us have never been big on group hugs. But this is so, so needed.
I can breathe again.
Eventually, we all move to the kitchen, with George having gone to bed. I think he’s simply moved to his bedroom to read, to give the three of us time to talk.
Over cups of hot cider, I tell Herc that I’m sorry for how he found out about Titus and me. “And I’m sorry we might be in trouble over the tennis balls. We should have left it alone.”
“Don’t be. If we hadn’t done that, I wouldn’t have met…well, I wouldn’t have a place to stay during all this.”
Titus, blowing into his steaming mug of cider, looks confused. “What do you mean? You could stay here with us. We’d make room.”
I nod. “Yes, brother. Where have you been staying?”
“In…ah…Lake Lure.”
I blink at him. “My my, aren’t we maintaining the life to which we’ve become accustomed? Where are you staying in Lake…?”
I trail off because I suddenly know. Holy shit.
“What is it?” Titus asks.
I lift my eyebrow at Herc. “Tell us, Herc.”
His cheeks flushed red, Herc explains that he’s been staying at Meghan’s Lake Lure house. That place is over an hour’s drive from there to our lawyer’s office in Asheville, but it’s doable.
“So. My big, sweet, nervous dork of a brother is hooking up with the scariest woman on campus. Interesting.”
“Wow. I’m happy for you, man,” Titus says woodenly, eyeing me cautiously.
I am neither upset nor happy. I am still processing it.
I could choose to be upset that nobody told me until now. I suppose what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
I’m thinking about slipping away to text Meghan when the doorbell rings again.
“Grand Central Station, my goodness!” I say, standing and going to the door with Titus on my heels.
When I open the door this time, it’s Leela wiping her feet on the mat.
“I wasn’t kidding around when I promised to find the Treadway twins a good lawyer.”
I’m so surprised to see her and so surprised by this greeting that I burst into tears and throw myself at Leela.
“What are you doing here?” I sob.
Leela makes a struggling noise and says to Titus, “Darlin’, can you take these shopping bags? Your girl is trying to choke me out.”
I look past her, and I see Crosby with two more huge bags of wrapped gifts, followed by Mila, Meghan, Ashley, and half a dozen other members of Beta Beta Psi.
Titus has to hold me up when I’m finished hugging everyone and weeping. “Leela, what are you telling me?”
“Is that cider I smell?” Leela asks.
“Of course!” I practically run over everyone in my way to fetch some cider for everyone.
None of my sisters were kidding when they promised me, “Once a Beta Beta, always a Beta Beta.” They made good on that promise by showing up here to support me and to bring us good news.
Once we’re all full of cider and seated on couches, chairs, and the living room floor, Leela fixes her gaze on me. “Over winter break, I’ve been working at my mom’s office. She’s authorized me to tell you that the prosecution will not pursue charges against you or your brother.”