She nods. “You may be right.”
We leave the bedroom and follow a trail of sticky fluid from the back door to the kitchen, where a bottle of soda has exploded in the room. George is soaked head to toe.
“I promise I’ll clean it up.”
I shake my head and leave him with Starlee—he’s not mine to fuss and fight with anymore. Thank God.
Outside, I find the whole group. Dex, Jake, and Charlie, mingling with Adrian, Holden, and Smith. Katie and Robbie are right in the middle and a moment later, Sierra and George appear. He’s got wet hair and is wearing Adrian’s clean shirt. He grins sheepishly.
Dexter walks over and tosses his arm around my shoulder. “I know I never said it enough, but thank you.”
“There’s no need to thank me, Dex, we’re family.”
“It’s not just that, Sierra. You brought all of us t
ogether, you’ve given us a family. A big one.”
I look at everyone, remembering how they’d all come into my life seeking shelter—but Dexter’s right, I’d given them a home. In return, they’d anchored me to this place, to these people.
I couldn’t be happier.