The Price Of Love

Chapter 50

Jay's POV

My hands fidget by my side, my eyes looking around the familiar office while anxiety eats at me from the inside.

I take note of how the cane has now been removed from the wall. A tiny smile forms on my lips.

Smart man.

The door suddenly opens, and I stand up straight as my three brothers filter into the room.

They freeze in place as they see me, surprise taking over their faces.

This is the first time I've seen them in thirteen months.

"Jay.." Alex whispers, and I smile largely at them, my eyes taking them in.

They're twenty now. They're adults, looking all grown up as they stand in the doorway in front of me.

"You ready to go home?" I ask them, watching as the realisation hits them. "Told you we'd get through it, didn't I?" I smile.

They just stare at me for a long minute, probably trying to figure out if I'm lying or not. But they know I wouldn't lie about this.

Leo is the first one to break out into a large smile before a laugh slips past his lips.

Alex is next, grinning wide. He turns his head to Sage, nudging his side.

Sage shows a small smile.

"We're fucking going home!" Leo yells, and I laugh as I watch him grab both Alex and Sage and pull them into a hug.

From over Leo's shoulder, I see Alex screw his eyes shut as he leans into Leo. Sage awkwardly pats Leo's back, his smile growing a bit.

They then turn, and in seconds I'm being tackled into a hug as well.

***

"This can't be real.." I hear Leo mumble from the backseat. Glancing in the mirror, I see both him and Alex twisted in their seats, watching as we drive further and further away from the school.

I glance at Sage beside me in the passenger side, seeing him leaning back in his seat, his eyes closed but a small relaxed smile on his face.

"We're so going out for drinks tonight" Alex mumbles, causing Leo to laugh and agree. "We fucking earned that," He says in response, and I hum but keep my eyes focused on the road.

"You in Jay?" Alex asks, and I shake my head gently. "I have two little toddlers to bring to bed" I chuckle, my smile fading a bit as I think about Alora and Becca.

I've already been home. I was there at six a.m. sharp to drop them off. Eleanor is minding them while I go to get the triplets.

I've been worrying about them ever since.

"Fuck!- right!- where are the girls?" Leo asks, sounding all excited. They haven't met my girls yet- no one has. It's nice they're excited.

"At home. Mam is watching them" I say, forcing myself not to call her Eleanor.

My brothers are smart. If they hear me call her Eleanor, they'll put the pieces together that I hate her. And they can't know.

Ever.

"You've been home already?" Alex says surprised. I hum. "Just dropped them off and left. I didn't see anyone other than mam" I answer. She was so busy gushing over the girls that I managed to slip out pretty easily.

Although I've been plagued with anxiety since I left the front door.

I struggle as it is to let them out of my sight.