24. JW

TWENTY-FOUR

JW

Being home with Maeve has never felt better than after a day like today. I sent out a massive group text, much to Maeve's annoyance, asking everyone to give us a few hours. She needed a shower, food, and to decompress. The only reason they weren't at the hospital with us in the first place is because Fletcher cleared them out, and the small emergency room we were in wouldn't have held our large group. Mae complained the entire way through discharge saying she'd be fine, yet the minute we were loaded up in my truck, she conked out again. She slept the entire ride home, barely waking up when I carried her through the house, and only when she felt the bed beneath her did she dart upwards.

We showered together. I was mindful of her bandage while I washed her body and hair. When she attempted to return the favor, I had to shut it down. Fuck, I hated telling her no, as did my dick, but there was no way we'd be doing anything until she had a full night's sleep, some food, and I knew she was on the other side of this ordeal.

"There's something about a grilled cheese sandwich and chicken noodle soup." Mom had come over before we even made it home to set a CrockPot on simmer, noodles in the fridge, and thick pieces of bread with cheese next to it.

"Tomato soup is better."

Maeve scrunches up her nose. "Absolutely not. Tomatoes are meant for sandwiches and burgers, not be pureed into mush."

There's a knock at the door before I can finish telling her she's wrong, tomatoes are good in any way, shape, or form. "I guess we should be grateful they waited this long," I grumble as I stand up from my place at kitchen table.

"Don't be a sourpuss. This is your doing. If you had let them see me at the hospital, they'd leave us alone now." Mae is back in action already, throwing her attitude around and laughing at my annoyance with the brigade I'm sure is standing on the other side of the front door.

"Baby girl, I'm not above withholding your orgasm tonight. You were knocked the fuck out. No way did I want anyone in there while you were asleep. We'll deal with our family, hang out with them for a few hours, and then I'm kicking them out." I drop a kiss to the crown of head. We're not really dressed for company—Mae is in a shirt of mine and a pair of plaid pajama pants, and I'm in a pair of cotton shorts. At least I had the forethought to grab a shirt from the bedroom before we made our way to the kitchen.

"Open up! We're tired of waiting!" Trey's voice echoes from the outside. I'm going to kick his ass or tell Amos he's got the hots for his sister. Yeah, that sounds like a better idea for payback.

"Go away," I answer the door as Trey's fist is ready to bang on it again.

"Ma, you hear this? He doesn't even want his brother to come over and check on him and his woman." Mom doesn't respond. Instead, she pushes him out of the way and heads right for me.

"Did you and Maeve eat? How is she feeling? Do you two need anything?" I wrap my arm around her, giving her a quick hug to calm her nerves.

"She's eating now, feeling good, and we're good." My sentence isn't even complete before Mom is darting into the house.

"You know your mother, son. Always has to be in the thick of it. Proud of you, proud of all our boys." Dad squeezes my shoulder and doesn't move until I give him a nod. I'm unsure if that's for my sake or his, probably a bit of both. My brothers shake my hand, one by one. Trey, even though he's a dick, is first, then Ryland with Case, Dean with Tully, Lane with Birdie, and Lawson with Juni.

After that, the Oliver family parks their three different vehicles, and they all pile out. While my family makes their way inside, I wait to greet them. The next time everyone gets together, we might have to move it to Mom and Dad's. They've got the bigger house, whereas all of us brothers have more of a normal-size place with three or four bedrooms. Their house has six, plus more bathrooms and a hell of a lot bigger living room and kitchen.

Mom stepped in when each of us brothers built our house, not going overboard, but she'd look at the plans, make suggestions, and go as far as to tell us what a woman would look for in a house. We'd all shake our head, then think on it. Dad would find us shooting the shit, drinking a beer, and working on someone's house. He'd help us, have a beer of his own, and proceed to tell us Mom is coming from a good place. We all knew that. Usually, the next day, we'd add her ideas to the blueprints. I didn't want a covered porch the length of the house both in the front and back, but she said I'd regret it. A few days later, after looking at a couple of other houses, I realized it made more sense, especially since the master bedroom is off the back of the house.

"You good?" Lawson escorted Juniper into the house, then came back out and stood next to me on the front porch.

"Yeah, think it's going to take me a few days to get the scene out of my head." I turn my attention to Lawson for a minute before the slamming of car doors catches my attention. "I better go welcome my future in-laws. Is it safe to assume Fletch will be here to take our statements when some of the family has cleared out?"

"From what he told me, he's wrapping up a few loose ends, then he'll be calling instead. He's ready to hop on a plane and get back to Delilah." I can't say I blame him. After the events of today, you wouldn't catch me fucking around when I could be home with my woman.

"I'll meet you inside," Lawson says. He heads for the door, and I'm down the few steps to meet Maddie, Michelle, Ryan, and Mr. and Mrs. Oliver at their cars. My family had the advantage of living closer to us, whereas they're in town. Still, I see the bags of goodies Ryan has in her hands, which means they stopped at the store on their way.

"Hey, Ryan, you stocking Auntie Mae up on snacks?" I ask when she barrels her body into me, arms wrapping around my waist. My hand goes to the back of her head, holding her close for a beat. Ryan doesn't say anything, only nods her head over and over again.

"Sorry about that, JW. She's been a bit off kilter since we told her Maeve was in the hospital," Michelle explains.

"Not a problem." Ryan backs out of my arms, and I squat down until we're at eye level. "Aunt Maeve could use one of your hugs right now. She's inside with my family, and I'm sure they're driving her crazy." I give her a wink. A big toothy smile appears in response, then she's darting up the stairs.

"I'll go with her. The girl can pack some heat," Michelle replies.

"I'm going, too. Can't let Michelle and Ryan have all the fun." Maddie rolls her eyes at the antics. I wait until the three of them are out of earshot before shaking Maeve's parents' hands. They were at the hospital when we were rolled in on an ambulance. Being in a small town, there was no shielding them from the news. Shit spreads like wildfire. I brought them to Mae's room while she was sleeping. They got their eyes on her, thanked me, and then left knowing they'd be here the second Maeve was settled.

"Mr. Oliver, Mrs. Oliver." I go to shake her hand and am pulled into a tight hug. The Oliver women are big on hugs, and it seems they get it from their mom.

"I'm going to see my girl, but thank you again, for taking care of Maeve," she says before she pulls back, and then follows the rest of the crew.

"I think you can do away with the Mr. and Mrs. We're John and Kate." John and I shake hands.

"Alright. Ready to head in? Lawson mentioned Fletch will be calling, and it'll be easier to do this with everyone over. Mae won't have to relive it," I suggest.

"Yeah, we better get. JW, a lot of shit happened to you, too. Make sure if you need help, you get it, too." I don't shrug him off; he's right. I'll have to deal with almost losing Maeve and not being able to do a damn thing about it replaying day and night in my mind's eye.

"I will." Our conversation tapers off as we walk inside where everyone else is gathered. The minute the door opens, the loud noise we could hear from the outside quiets down, and all eyes are on us, including Mae's.

"Perfect timing. Fletch is calling now," Lawson announces. I walk to Maeve, hand wrapping around the back of her neck while being careful not to jostle her too much.

"Am I on speaker?" Fletch asks.

"Yep, everyone is here," Lawson replies.

"Good, I'm going to make it short and sweet. Clayton Smith, along with all his aliases, is being held without bond. Since he's created felonies in multiple states, the United State Marshalls are involved as well as the FBI. I'm officially off the case. You may get a call for further information. Though it's doubtful since I handed over all your statements. I'll keep you in the loop regardless. My IT guy back in Peachtree used his magic, so the bad reviews are gone, your website is back up, and you're the sole owner once again. I think I've got all the basics covered. Any questions?"

"Thank Christ," I say.

"Finally," is Mae's response.

"Thanks, Fletch, we appreciate all your help. Couldn't have done it without you, man," I tell him with everyone else giving their own soft replies.

"Anytime. I have no doubt we'll be on the phone again sometime soon. The Johnson brothers keep me on my toes." Mom and Dad let out a bark of laughter, the rest join in, and when Fletch hangs up, my eyes focus on Mae. She breathes a deep sigh of relief. There's only one way to celebrate this shit being done, and that's with my mouth on hers.