10

"Yeah, sure. Of course—come in," I say, stepping aside.

Jessie walks in, eyes scanning the quiet house. "Where are your brothers?"

"Oh, they're at Lip's place with his siblings. But what's up?" I ask as we head into the living room.

He drops onto the couch, elbows resting on his knees. "So, I heard that Greg has been money laundering from his dealership."

"Okay, straight to the point," Lip mutters, sinking into the couch beside me, leaning in just a little.

I blink. "Seriously? Dad's doing that?" My head tips back as I try to process it. "I always thought something was off, but... Jesus. Right before he left, he handed me half a million dollars. I knew he wasn't making that kind of cash selling used cars."

"Yeah, well, he is—or was," Jessie says darkly. "One of my guys told me Greg missed a payment. And now they're looking to collect. Doesn't matter if it's money, assets... or people."

Lip straightens like someone shocked him. "Wait—what the fuck are you saying?"

Jessie meets his eyes. "I'm saying some dangerous people might come knocking. Erin and the boys need to get the hell outta here—tonight."

"Fuck," I whisper. My pulse picks up. Clothes, food, school—how do I move all of that overnight? What if they show up when I'm not home?

"She can stay with me," Lip says immediately. "You think they'd check next door?"

Jessie shakes his head. "Doubt it. But keep the boys inside. No random walks to the park. No answering the door. I'll swing by again when I know it's clear."

He stands, but pauses at the door. His face softens, just for a moment. "Hey. You're doing a good job."

Then he's gone.

The door clicks shut behind him, and for a second, all I hear is the pounding of my own heartbeat.

⸻

Fifteen minutes later, Lip and I are in my room, tossing things into a duffel bag.

"Just essentials," I mumble, stuffing clothes for me and the boys. "I don't even know how long we're staying."

Lip helps, folding shirts with clumsy hands. "I've got snacks and stuff next door. Fiona'll figure something out with school."

I nod, pulling a small box from my closet. Old photos. Cash. Lip notices but doesn't say anything.

I grab my phone and head down the hall. In the guest room, my grandma sleeps in her recliner, a blanket half-falling off her lap, the soft hum of Judge Judy in the background.

"Hey, Grandma," I whisper, gently shaking her shoulder.

She stirs, eyes fluttering open. "What time is it?"

"Late. Listen... there's drama with Dad. Some shady people might come by, and I don't want you caught in the middle. I booked a hotel for you for a few nights, okay?"

Her eyes widen, but she doesn't argue. "You sure?"

"I'm sure."

She nods, slowly rubbing her eyes. "Alright, sweetheart. Just be safe."

"I will."

⸻

We step outside. The house feels too quiet. Too vulnerable.

Next door, the Gallagher house blazes with light and noise—someone yelling, something crashing. Chaos, as usual.

Lip takes my hand. "You ready?"

I nod.

We walk into the storm.

The second the door opens, Lucas spots me.

"Erin!!" he cries, running straight for me, tears already spilling down his cheeks.

I drop to my knees and catch him in my arms. "Hey, hey, it's okay. What's wrong?"

"C-Conner said you weren't coming back ever again!" he sobs into my shoulder.

I blink back tears. "No, no, baby—I would never leave you guys. I promise, okay? Never."

He sniffles, still clinging to me. "You promise?"

"I pinky promise," I say, holding up my little finger. "But how would you feel about having a sleepover with Debbie and Carl for a couple of nights? I'll still be here. Just in the next room."

Lucas's eyes brighten. "Can we have popcorn?"

I smile. "You bet."

"Yayyy!" he yells, and bolts off down the hall.

Lip watches me, something unreadable in his eyes. "You're so good with them," he says softly.

"Yeah, but I might have to kill our brothers," I mutter with a shaky laugh.

"Why are we killing Carl?" Ian asks, appearing with a sandwich in hand.

"He and Conner told Lucas I abandoned them."

"Ouch. Yeah, no thanks—I'm out of this one." He spins on his heel and vanishes into the chaos.

Lip raises an eyebrow. "He's been weird lately."

"Probably something with Mickey," I say, and Lip nods in agreement.

"Hey, Lip—I need you to run to the store and grab some bread. Here's a five. Hey Erin!" Fiona says as she rushes through the kitchen, a basket of laundry in her arms.

"Hey, Fi—can I talk to you for a sec?" I ask, stepping out of her way.

She doesn't stop. "I'm really busy right now."

"It'll be quick," I promise.

She exhales, gives me a quick once-over, then nods toward the living room.

⸻

"Is it okay if me and the boys stay here for a few days?" I ask the second we're alone.

Her eyes widen, but I press on. "I'll help with food, and anything else. But something's going on with my dad—bad people might come to the house. It's not safe. I wouldn't ask if I had another choice. But... you guys are all I've got."

Fiona stares at me for a beat, then slowly nods. "Okay. But everyone pulls their weight. And you'll need to figure out sleeping arrangements. You're lucky you live next door, so the kids can still catch the bus."

"Thank you so much, Fi," I breathe.

She just gives me a tight smile and heads back toward the laundry.

⸻

Lip comes around the corner, hands stuffed in his pockets. He gives me a questioning look.

"She said yes, but we've gotta figure out where everyone's sleeping."

"Easy," he says. "You sleep with me. Conner crashes with Carl. We throw an air mattress in Debbie and Liam's room for Lucas."

"Perfect," I say.

He steps closer and presses a kiss to the top of my head.

Then—

"Heyyy... what's goin' on down here?"

We both look up.

Monica stands at the top of the stairs, barefoot, wrapped in one of Fiona's old cardigans and a long T-shirt that hangs off one shoulder. Her hair's a mess, her smile a little too wide, like she's not fully sure what she's walked into but wants to seem excited about it anyway.

"Oh!" she gasps, pointing at me. "It's you. Erin, right?"

"Uh... yeah," I say, not sure what version of her we're getting tonight.

"You're so pretty," she says, teetering a little as she starts down the stairs. "I mean, like—girl-next-door pretty. You guys dating or something?" She gestures between me and Lip.

"Monica," Lip says, tired already, "not now."

She pauses halfway down and blinks like she didn't expect that. "Okay, okay," she says with her hands up. "I was just saying hey. You don't have to get all intense."

"We're just getting Erin and her brothers set up here for a few nights," he says, voice flat.

Monica lights up. "Wait, she's staying? Oh, that's so nice! I love that." She walks the rest of the way down and plants herself on the arm of the couch. "Family sticking together. That's how it's supposed to be, right?"

I glance at Lip. He doesn't respond.

Monica barrels on. "You know, I used to make pancakes for Fiona every Saturday. With the little chocolate chips and everything. I'm a really good mom when people let me be."

Lip mutters under his breath, "Yeah, that's what everyone says—'when people let me.'"

Monica hears him but pretends not to. "I could totally help with the boys! I mean—I raised you and Fiona and the rest, didn't I?"

"You didn't," Lip says flatly. "Fiona did."

That hits her. For a second her face cracks, but she pastes a smile over it. "Okay. Okay, that's fair. But people change, right? I could be useful! Like—I could cook something! Do laundry! I'm feeling so good lately."

"Monica," Lip says again, more firm now. "It's fine. You don't need to do anything."

She looks at me again, eyes scanning my face like she's trying to figure me out. "You're really calm. That's good. Lip needs that. He's always been the emotional one, even though he pretends not to be."

I open my mouth, but Lip steps in.

"Monica, you need to go to bed now."

She laughs. "Oh my god, you sound exactly like Frank."

He flinches.

"Go to bed," he repeats.

Monica shrugs. "Fine. You kids do your thing." She starts toward the stairs, wobbling slightly, then turns back. "I'm glad she's here, Lip. I think you're better when you've got someone."

Lip doesn't say anything.

She disappears upstairs.

The silence she leaves behind is worse than the noise.

⸻

We get the boys settled—Lucas curled up on an air mattress in Debbie's room, Conner playing video games with Carl like nothing happened. I linger just long enough to watch Lucas smile at a dumb cartoon Debbie put on, then slip back to Lip's room.

He's sitting on the edge of his bed, head in his hands.

I close the door softly behind me. "You okay?"

He exhales, but it's sharp and uneven. "I hate when she pretends."

I sit beside him. "Pretends what?"

"That she cares. That she's here. She shows up, floats around, says some sweet shit, and disappears again. It always ends the same."

I rest my head against his shoulder.

"She said she used to make pancakes for Fiona," he mutters. "You know what I remember? Fiona making toast for Liam because that's all we had. I remember Monica passed out on the floor next to a bottle of nail polish remover. But pancakes? That's convenient."

We sit in silence for a while.

Then he looks at me. "You sure you wanna deal with all this?"

"You just defended me without even blinking," I say. "You're trying so hard for me and the boys. So yeah—I'm sure."

He leans down and kisses me—soft, slow, like the weight of the day finally landed on him all at once.

And outside the door, the Gallagher chaos continues—loud voices, a dish breaking, someone yelling about the toilet again.

But in here, for a moment, it's quiet.

A/N- So sorry i haven't updated in a couple of days, haha, i've been busy! but i hope you guys enjoy !!