The hot water is amazing when I finally step under it, and it’s clear that Greg was in here already since my body wash and stuff are all on the shelf, and a clean towel is hanging just outside the shower. I would kiss that man if he were here, though he’s also gonna get a few harsh words for the state of my hair when I woke up. Thank fuck it’s so short.
I don’t feel clean until I lather, rinse, and repeat another four times, letting the hot soapy water soak over my skin before lathering up a loofah and scrubbing like exfoliation is going out of style.
When my stomach gives a loud gurgle, my body is officially clean enough. Turning off the water, I reach for the fluffy towel Greg left, reveling in how soft and gentle it feels on my sensitive skin. It’ll take a few days for all the hormones to get out of my system, and until then I’m probably going to be a bit sore and snappy.
I’ll need to watch it around the alphas so they don’t think I’m mad at them, just hormonally imbalanced and in need of cuddles and chocolate. Lots of cuddles. Despite the state I woke up in, I actually already miss them, and if it wouldn’t require another shower, I would probably crawl back into bed and sleep for the rest of the day.
Thankfully, it’s not an option, and my inner omega gives a pathetic little whine when she comes back into the nest and sees everyone gone and the blankets completely stripped. Greg is sitting on the edge, waiting for me with a granola bar, bottle of water, and painkillers, and I could kiss my Pretty Boy just for that. Even if I do miss the others.
He must see my confusion because he gives me a reassuring smile. “They went to get cleaned up, and Paul was gonna make some brunch while Spence started on laundry.” I nod my thanks and crawl up onto the mattress next to him, cuddling against his side. He smells as if he’s already had a shower and is wearing a pair of pajama pants that I don’t recognize. Since they mostly fit, I’m guessing they belong to Paul.
“I brought both your jersey pajamas and the flannel. We had to turn the thermostat down in here on Sunday with all the body heat, so I wasn’t sure which ones you might want.” Kissing him on the side of his head and snagging my jersey pajamas, I get dressed while he explains what’s been happening while I’ve been out of the loop.
How Teddy has checked in every day, sending pictures of Shaggy so we know he’s ok. How he had a long talk withKimberly, who’s been working with the administration, and who told him that Mamá had called her twelve times. And that the alphas wore themselves pretty ragged keeping up with me. Apparently I’m demanding during my heat. Since I don’t have any experience with having it un-medicated, I’ll take his word on that. He did get our plane tickets rescheduled for Sunday, to give me plenty of time to get through the heat and recover—plus, give time for any lingering scents to dissipate so that the airline doesn’t give us problems.
By the time I’m ready to go downstairs and face the alphas, my phone starts ringing again; it’s Mamá. I really,reallydon’t want to answer it. I can already hear her annoyance that I didn’t come home to have a heat with somebody they want me to pack up with, and my shoulders slump. I just don’t want to deal with it right now. My throat constricts as I stare at the phone, willing my fingers to slide the damned answer call button over it, but it’s plucked from my unresisting hand before I can.
Before I can say anything, Greg has it to his ear. “Thompson’s Donkey Barn, head ass speaking, how can I help you?” He smiles at me and waves me towards the door, miming eating a sandwich, but I can already hear my mother’s screech through the phone.
Not even his smart-ass greeting deserves that kind of volume. “Where is my daughter? Tell me now, beta, or I will be on the first flight out there. Don’t think I won’t do it; she can’t avoid talking to me forever!” Ouch. Greg just rolls his eyes, pulling the phone away from his ear before waving me out again.
She must take his silence for the refusal that it is because her next words come out deceptively level. “Now…um…Gordon…let’s be reasonable about this. I’m just worried about her safety, and we all want what’s best for my daughter. We’re all adults here; she needs more than a beta for a pack…or even some random alphas she’s just met. You don’t know these men; theycould be serial killers or something. I’m sure they won’t even want anything long-term once they’ve realized how difficult she can be…”
I should have left as soon as her voice turned cajoling; I know the drill. Maybe I’m just a glutton for punishment, but it does hurt that she automatically says they won’t want me. Maybe they don’t, but that’s hardly her decision. The fact that she says it to Greg, after calling him the wrong name, just shows now little she actually gives a shit. I bite back the need to cry in frustration, telling myself that it’s just the overactive hormones running rampant in my body right now, but hearing her say all that right after all my alphas disappeared from the cuddle pile I considered returning to doesn’t help. Maybe she’s right, and they won’t want me now.
Rubbing my eyes to banish the start of any tears, I make my way down the stairs. Al is on the couch, a cup of coffee still steaming on the table, and a book folded open face down in his lap. His head is tilted back and he snuffles in his sleep, leaning sideways in my direction as I walk into the room. Before he can tip all the way over, Paul walks down the hall from the kitchen.
He smiles sweetly at me and hands me a warm cup; it smells like green tea with some kind of fruit. “Sorry, Greg said you liked tea, but we only have Spence’s herbal blends right now. He told us some of your favorite foods and snacks, and Al was supposed to be setting up a delivery on that, but he may have conked out instead. He ain’t real used to physical exertion, and the last few days kinda wore him out. I’ll call and check on the order, but don’t you worry, he’ll get better.” The lanky alpha leans down to kiss me on the top of the head before heading back towards the kitchen.
With nothing better to do, I follow behind, perching on a barstool and taking in what appears to be an explosion of cereal and snack bar boxes stacked around the room. Space has beencleared around the island stovetop and along the top of the bar, so it’s easy to watch as Paul sautés minced onions and peppers, before folding them into an omelet with a heavy layer of cheese. He slides it onto a plate before shredding more cheese over the top. Clearly, he understands the importance of cheesy goodness regarding some foods; I just need to expand his horizons to include all meals.
Paul passes me the plate and a fork, and I’m just stuffing the first bite of gooey goodness into my mouth when Spence pops out of another room. He looks at me in panic for a moment before turning around and bolting back the way he came. I hear a few loud bangs and some mumbled curses before he returns a moment later, carrying a dripping blanket. “I’m sorry…I was gonna get the nest ready for snuggles ’cause it was kinda funky…but this might take a while to dry. If you want cuddles, you can use my bed. It’s king-sized…but my feet still hang off the end…but it could still be good. You wouldn’t have any problems fitting. Not that you’re short…well, I mean you aren’t tall…but…um…shit.”
Paul seems to take pity on the poor guy, because he puts his hands on Spence’s shoulders, turning him back the way he came. “It’s gonna be a while before anybody gets snuggles. She needs to eat and hydrate, and we’re waiting for groceries. Just fluff everything so it doesn’t get tangled and put them back in the dryer.” Spence nods once, hurrying off to follow directions before Paul returns to the stove, starting another omelet.
It takes my brain a few minutes to catch up. “Wait, you guys have grocery delivery out here? Isn’t there only the one store? I’m sorry, I don’t mean to make you spend so much. I know it can get expensive.” It’s really sweet that they wanted to make me happy, but I can’t imagine how much extra that little place charges for delivery, and I’d be happy to get out for an hour and go pick it up myself if Greg feels like coming with me.
Paul’s smile widens, deepening the laugh lines I was admiring before. His voice is a relaxed chuckle. “I’m afraid it’s nothing so harmless. My baby brother’s mate works there, and when I called earlier to ask Billy to pull a few things for me to come pick up, he insisted on stopping by to bring them. Those two like gossip more than just about anybody I know, so he probably wants to meet the omega that pulled our pack out of work for the week. It’s ok if you don’t want to be available when they get here, but Josh and Billy are harmless…it’s our mom you gotta watch out for. She’ll start bringing out the baby pictures as soon as you meet…we can all do without that level of embarrassment.” His eyes flick up from the stovetop, meeting mine and stunning me with the full effect of that sexy grin.
Chapter 82
Before I can finish my current bite and reply—or throw myself across the counter at the sexy alpha—Spence comes back in, drying his hands on his sweatpants. Paul throws an exasperated look his way before sliding a less cheesy omelet onto a plate and passing it to the bigger alpha. Spence takes it and nods in thanks before turning his attention to me. “You’ll love Josh and Billy; they’re super cool! Josh has been my best friend since elementary school; he’s how I met Paul. Him and Billy have been together since forever, even before we graduated high school. Which is kind of how I’m in a pack with Paul since he’s my brother by way of Josh.” The big alpha’s grin is infectious as he shoves a bite of egg into his mouth before turning back to Paul. “Shit, I forgot to say thank you. Thank you, this is really good.”
Paul just nods, still smiling and starting on another omelet. His brows raise at me as I scrape the last of the melty goodnessfrom my plate, silently asking if I want another. I shake my head, and he goes to the fridge to pull out a carton of mushrooms and a tomato, slicing everything up while the eggs finish cooking. He slides it onto a plate with a fork and sets it to the side before continuing on with the fancier fare.
I’m not expecting his voice, and the rich baritone surprises me in the silent kitchen. “Sorry, I got sidetracked. But my brother should be here shortly. Greg said he thought your favorite toast is made with cinnamon raisin bread and honey butter, so they’re supposed to bring that with everything else and I can fix some up for you. But if you need anything while we wait, lemme know. I’m happy to get you whatever you want.”
My chest tightens at the simple offer. Greg feeds me as much as I’ll let him, but it still feels nice to have someone besides my scent match want to take care of me. “I appreciate it, but last I checked, you were a cop, not a short order cook.” Greg walks in, grabs the prepared plate, and leans against the counter beside me to eat. “Though you wouldn’t know it looking around here. Seriously, that was amazing, but I’m not sure if I should have the toast…carbs and I have a love-hate relationship. I love to eat them, and they hate me enough to stick around for the duration.” I try to smile to play the self-deprecation off as a joke, but three sets of eyes turn my way, making me squirm.
“I just mean…I have trouble with my weight, ok? I gain it way too easily and losing it is like pulling teeth unless I just stop eating.” Spence sputters beside me, and Paul’s easy smile is replaced with a frown and drawn brows. Greg sets his plate down and pulls me in for a hug. He rocks me back and forth on the stool, kissing the top of my head.
Shit, I hate when I make things awkward.
Greg’s voice is muffled against my hair. “You’re beautiful. You could be as round as you are tall, and I’d still think you were beautiful. Though I would worry about your health. Is thereanything I can do to help? Some way I can show you?” Spence is nodding off to the side, but I can’t meet the alpha’s eyes right now, so I bury my face against my beta and shake my head back and forth. It’s hard to believe that anybody can find me attractive after all the shit I’ve heard.
“I won’t lie and say that pheromones don’t help matters along, but I can say that we wouldn’t have spent the last five days banging your brains out if we didn’t find you attractive. Do with that what you will.” Paul’s words sound reasonable enough, logical even, and they make me squirm, though with discomfort or desire, I’m not sure. Seriously, my desire should be all tapped out by now.
Feet scuff behind me and I turn to see Al shuffle in. His slutty little glasses are hanging askew on his nose and he pulls them off before wiping his hands down his face. He sets a book face down on the counter and puts the glasses on top before muttering a curse and stumbling back out only to return a moment later with his cup of probably cold coffee. Paul slides the fancy omelet onto a plate and Al snags it on his way by, nodding in thanks and making a beeline for the coffee maker to top off his drink. He takes a long sip, grimacing before looking at the four of us.
