Not in the Same Way

Twelve

"Schools just shut down through the end of the month." I say to the boys as we sit on the patio of my back yard, Ashton is sipping a bottle of water while the rest of us have a beer. Duke yips at my feet and I lift him to my lap.

"I saw that. Sierra said she heard we might be on a stay at home order by the end of the week."

"Fuck, really?" Ashton retorts and Luke nods.

"So what would that mean for the album drop next week? I'm assuming our promo is for sure off the table." Michael asks.

"I'd say that's a fair assumption. As far as next week, no clue. Hopefully it doesn't happen."

"I dunno boys. Delta laid Darby and most of her friends off because flights just aren't really happening at this point. It's crazy times." I add.

"Guess we'll have to see what comes of it." Michael says.

"You think we should go help the girls?" Ash questions, looking back towards the house.

"Probably. I'm trying to put my best foot forward here." I say finishing my drink, setting Duke back on the concrete and standing to my feet to head back to the house.

I can hear the girls as soon as I enter, their laughter filling the air from the guest room I've given Darby.

"What are you ladies up to?" I ask with a smile as I enter the room.

"Just trying to get this room set up." Darby replies casually.

"And that's got you all rolling with laughter because..."

"Oh, Sierra was just telling us this story about when she was moving in with Luke and he-"

"NO!" Sierra screams. "You can't tell him! Lu will murder me!"

Darby laughs and shrugs her shoulders. "It was just a funny story."

"You need any help?" I offer, the other boys appearing behind me in the hallway.

"Um...I think we're good. Can you just take the baby monitor and occupy Aves when she wakes up from her nap?"

"Sure." I say, extending my hand and taking the radio type device from her and re-directing the boys to the living room.

"So what's your plan for all this?" Ash asks me as we all settle into seats throughout the room.

"What do you mean?" I ask, raising my eyebrows not really sure what he is asking.

"I just mean, you're getting what you wanted. She's moving back in with you. You've wanted a chance to try and fix shit for the longest time. Do you have a plan for that?"

"I've got a few ideas." I muse, not really wanting to divulge that information to him.

"Well the good news is, I don't think there is really anything else you could do worse than what you've done to her before, so at least there is that." Michael says and I glare at him before tossing a pillow at his head.

"Dick." I mutter.

"Just speaking the truth." He says defensively and I can't even argue with him, because he is right.

•

"Think that's everything." Darby says falling into the space on the couch beside me as the late afternoon shadows fill the living room.

"Can't believe we got you all moved over and in in a single day." I say genuinely surprised.

"I didn't have too many things anyways."