Spence finally stops to take a breath, a huge grin stretching his face as he waits for Billy’s reaction. The poor beta is a bitgreen-looking as he stares at our packmate’s bloody teeth. His voice is barely audible from across the store. “Um, that sounds awesome, dude, really. But what the hell happened to your face? Did you drop one of the paint cans on your head or something? Quick, close your mouth. My boss is in his office, and I don’t want him calling the cops if he sees you like that. You know the guy can be a dick.”
The big alpha’s grin drops, and he squeezes his lips together, as if worried someone might try to forcibly open his mouth to look at his bloody teeth. He nods frantically and starts trying to answer through his closed lips; nothing but muzzled grunts come out. Finally, Billy takes pity on the guy. “Ok, talk, just don’t smile. You really need to go rinse your mouth out…and reset your nose. It’s already starting to swell. Seriously, what happened?”
Spence’s mouth pops open, sucking in a deep lungful of air. He must have been holding his breath while his mouth was closed. Idiot. He huffs in deep gulps of oxygen like a drowning man for a few moments, blowing the hair back from Billy’s head. Finally under control, he smiles again, carefully not letting his teeth show. “Oh, I met an omega; she’s super sweet, but she broke my nose…but it was an accident. I think it was an accident. She fell asleep on me, and when she woke up, she sat up and head-butted me in the face.” He left off most of the story, but Billy’s mated to my brother and has been friends with Spence for years, so he gets a lot of the context without having to have the full story. He just nods along, knowing that if it’s important, one of us will fill in the blanks at some point in the future.
I meander up to say hi as well, but before I can explain everything, Sam’s there with a basket full of lunch meats, cheese, bread, fruits, crackers, and various jars of condiments. It’s one meal, and I’m pretty sure that this is overkill, but he seems insistent on making sure his pack is fed and taken care of, so Ishouldn’t be surprised. Sam can be growly with everyone else, as I saw last year after the fire wiped out his shed, but he’s a big softie for his packmates. He even insists on taking care of Garret—though they aren’t involved other than through Kelly.
His voice is gruff as he sets the basket on the counter by Billy. “Shit, I forgot the damned cilantro for Shaggy. I’m gonna leave this here. I’ll be right back.” He’s only gone for a moment and returns with a huge bundle of herbs before any of us can figure out who or what Shaggy is, and why they like cilantro so much. I thought his only two houseguests were the omega and beta. Billy’s already scanned everything else, and Sam sets down three bundles of cilantro, mint, and basil before pulling out his phone and looking at it. He leaves again and returns with a bag of carrots, pushing the lot towards Billy with an apologetic grunt.
The three of us stare at the random assortment that’s just been bagged up before Spence finally breaks the silence. “Uh, Sam…I don’t mean to be rude, but…what kinda salad are you making, ’cause—Paul back me up here—don’t you need lettuce or spinach or something like that? Are you just eating a big handful of mint…well, maybe some kind of mixed drink…with carrots?” Sam looks confused for a minute, staring back and forth between us before pulling out his phone. On the screen is a picture of a huge white rabbit, almost bigger than the little girl holding it up. The top of the screen is a long list proclaiming itself the “best food and treats for pet rabbits.”
Spencer’s grin is back. “Oh, you got a rabbit? I love bunnies! What kind? What does Jake think? Have you named it yet? What color is it?” Sam stops him with a chagrined look and a wave of his hand.
“I don’t know how to answer any of that other than no, we didn’t get one. It’s Sarah’s pet, some sort of tiny thing. Like a teacup model, or whatever you call ’em for rabbits. The little bastard fits in one hand, and I had to reinforce his run with extraslats because I thought she was bringing something normal-sized, not something I have to worry about stepping on. Jake hasn’t really met the critter yet because while I trust my dog, this thing wouldn’t make more’n a mouthful, and he can get kind of excited by guests. I’m just letting Sarah decide on how to handle things. Rio has tried to break into their room a couple of times to get a good sniff, but she got thumped at for her trouble, which seemed like a hell of a shock. Steve scooped her up and took her back to her room.”
I don’t recognize that name. “What the hell is a Rio?”
Sam scans his debit card and waves his hand back and forth. “I don’t know…some kinda cat, I think. Ugly ass thing, but at least its hair’s coming back in. Steve adopted it and babies it like a fucking mother hen. He even dressed it in little kid clothes to keep it warm since it’s naked. There’s something wrong with its face; it’s all flat and seems to be allergic to everything, even Jake. Not that he minds; he just thinks he found a new friend.”
That sounds absolutely horrifying, and I’ll need to ask Kelly about it later.
Chapter 46
Billy promises to have Josh call me later so I can ask him courting questions. It’s probably stupid because I could have just asked Billy since he’s the mate in question, but that feels weird. Not that Billy’s an omega—he’s a beta, an all-around cool guy, and my best friend’s soulmate. He’s attractive enough in his own way, but doesn’t really do anything for me, which is fine. I don’t think I’m into men. Though I’ve never really tried. But I’ve never met a guy I found sexually attractive. Sure, Teddy smells nice, but the big burly dude thing doesn’t do much for me. Hell, if I wanted to see that, I’d look in a mirror.
Still, Billy and Josh have been together for years, and they’re still so in love it’s embarrassing sometimes. So maybe my bestie can give me some tips. If that doesn’t work, I’ll need to call Tiffany to figure out what girls like. But if she finds out, they’ll allknow, and then they might try to put pressure on Sarah about it, and I don’t want to make her uncomfortable.
Shit, that reminds me.
Pulling my phone out, I dial my parents’ house phone. I’m not sure why they haven’t switched completely to cell phones yet, but they like having a landline, so who am I to argue? Mom answers on the second ring. “Hi, Boogerbear! How are you doing? Is the new place ready for a housewarming yet! We were hoping to see you sometime this week, and I know Penny would love to stop by while she’s back in town. She missed you.”
I can’t stop the grin that splits my face; I miss her too. Most of my family still live in the area. All my sisters but Penny still live at home, since the college is within driving distance and housing is so expensive. Still, with work and all the new house stuff, it’s been a couple of weeks since I saw them. Knowing Mom, she already has something planned, like trying to fill our freezer up with pre-made meals or something. She worries about us, even Alistair. She just kind of adopted him when he first joined our pack. Now she makes us all matching scarves each year for Christmas. I don’t know how she has time to knit that much, but he got super misty-eyed the first time it happened. Still, I don’t want her to feel obligated. I think he misses his family sometimes, but he doesn’t want to talk about it. They’re actually really nice, but he doesn’t know I talk to them sometimes.
“Honey, are you still there?” Her voice is less exuberant, and there’s a mumble in the background followed by, “No, he might have gotten cut off, you know this stupid phone is almost as old as he is. God, I feel ancient now.” Her laugh is one of the sweetest sounds I’ve ever heard, and if I’m not careful, I’ll get all nostalgic and weird.
“Sorry, Mom, I’m here. I was just thinkin’. I actually need Penny’s help if she’s around. I broke my nose again, and youknow she’s the best one at resetting it.” There’s silence for a few beats.
“Spence, Love…what happened this time? Was it someone at the gym? Oh. Do I need to call and speak with your bosses? I won’t have you—”
I cut off her overprotective tirade before she can get traction. “No, no, nothing like that. I got head-butted today and I wasn’t expecting it.” That probably sounds worse than it is. “I mean, ok…a friend of my bosses is visiting and she kind of fell asleep on me, and woke up confused. I was bent over her…but I promise I wasn’t being a creep or anything; she was lying on my chest. Anyway, she woke up startled and managed to bash me in the nose with her head. She’s fine, a little sore. But I just need some help making sure this stupid thing heals right, ya’ know?”
She’s quiet for several seconds, making me worry her phone really did hang up the call. “So, you said ‘her.’ This girl fell asleep on you? Oh dear, you started purring again, didn’t you? Honey, are you ok? I can send Penny right over if you need her. Or we can wait until she’s gone if you don’t want us to embarrass you in front of her. Just let us know what works best. Is she pretty? I’m so excited for you.”
“Mom, no, it’s…it’s not like that.” Yet…please, I want it to be like that. “She’s a friend of Teddy’s, and yeah, I started purring; I couldn’t help it. She’s fucking adorable, and—”
I’m cut off by her curt voice. “Language, young man.”
My voice is sheepish as I continue. “Sorry. But she is adorable, and sweet, and she’s here with her mate.” My mom sucks in a sharp breath. “No, it’s ok. Greg actually said it was alright. We talked yesterday about it. He’s fine with her dating other guys. Basically, anybody who’ll treat her like the goddess she is.”
My mom’s voice is cautious. “Oh, and who is Greg again?”
Shit, I know I wasn’t explaining this well. “Lemme start over. Her name is Sarah; she’s an omega that used to live across thehall from Teddy before he moved here. Greg is her beta mate, and scent match. But she’s only here for a week, so I don’t know how that’s gonna work. We saw her today at the nesting store, and I started purring and she fell asleep on me in the store. So Teddy’s pack gave me a ride home, which is when she broke my nose.”
“On accident?” my mom clarifies.
“Yes, on accident, she was surprised when she woke up suddenly in a moving vehicle. But Greg was there. She calmed down and felt really bad about it. And now I need to see if Penny can come over and help me fix my nose…when she has a minute.” Whew, finally, we got back to the point.
A honking horn makes me jump, and I look over to see Al waving at me from the front seat of Nadine in a come-on motion. Shit, I guess they’re all done. “Hey, sorry Mom, I’ll call you back tonight, but if you could send Penny over…or whoever wants to stop by, but Teddy’s whole pack is coming over so it’s not the best time. But if Penny can come by soon and help me fix this, I’d appreciate it.”
