Natalia knew Jey wouldn't take the first step. He was stubborn-always had been-and after everything that had gone down with Alexis, Lilly, and the DNA test, his walls were up. He hadn't outright shut his brothers out, but the distance was there, thick and heavy like a weight pressing on all of them.

So, she decided to take matters into her own hands.

That's how Jey found himself sitting in a private booth at one of their favorite restaurants, arms crossed, jaw tight, eyes flicking toward the door every few seconds.

"You set me up," he muttered, shooting Natalia a look.

She didn't flinch. "I set up a conversation," she corrected, taking a sip of her water. "You can't keep avoiding them, Jey. You don't have to fix everything today, but you do need to talk."

Jey exhaled sharply, shaking his head, but before he could argue, the door opened.

Jimmy and Solo stepped inside, both looking a little hesitant-like they weren't sure what kind of reception they were about to get.

Jimmy gave Natalia a grateful look before sliding into the booth across from Jey. Solo followed, his expression unreadable as always.

Silence stretched between them, thick with everything unsaid.

Natalia gave Jey a small squeeze on the thigh before standing up. "I'm gonna give y'all some space." She placed a hand on Jey's shoulder, squeezing lightly. "Be honest."

Jey watched her go, his chest tightening with something he couldn't name. He knew she was right, but that didn't make this any easier.

Jimmy was the first to break the silence. "I know you're pissed," he said, leaning forward, arms resting on the table. "And I get it. I really do."

Jey scoffed, shaking his head. "Do you?"

Jimmy exhaled. "Yeah, I do. 'Cause if the roles were reversed, I'd feel the same way. But Jey, we didn't know. Neither of us did."

Jey's jaw clenched, his fingers drumming against the table. "It ain't just about that," he muttered. "It's everything, man. I needed y'all to have my back, and I felt like I was standing alone."

Solo, quiet up until now, finally spoke. "You're never alone, Uce." His voice was steady, firm. "Not then, not now."

Jey let out a slow breath, rubbing a hand down his face. He was tired. Tired of being mad, tired of carrying all this weight on his own.

"I just..." He trailed off, shaking his head. "I ain't know how to deal with all of it. I thought maybe if I stepped back, it'd make it easier."

Jimmy nodded, his gaze understanding. "Did it?"

Jey swallowed hard. "Nah," he admitted. "It just made me feel worse."

Solo nodded. "Then let's fix it."

Jey looked between his brothers, his heart heavy but a little lighter than before.

"Yeah," he said after a moment. "Let's fix it."

And for the first time in weeks, he finally felt like he wasn't carrying it all alone.