The therapy was definitely helping.
Cameron didn’t get to define my future.
Having a baby meant they’d be tied to me for the foreseeable future, and they sure as hell didn’t sign up for a teenager. We were a package deal now.
“Fuck,” I cursed. “This has gotten so complicated.”
“Then uncomplicate it,” Dani said with a shrug. “You know them better than we do, but there’s no way Dolly would introduce them to you if they were shitty people. Maybe they just need you to make the first step. You made it very clear that you needed space, and have they not given you that?”
“They have,” I agreed. There were occasional texts for the first two weeks, but they eventually stopped when I gave them nothing in return.
“We have two hours before our after-school help comes in,” Taryn said. “That gives you a little bit of time to process, and then before we leave this office today, you are going to talk to them.”
“Oh, you totally missed the lunch you had planned,” Taryn added. “Why don’t you just invite them out for dinner instead? It’s a sure thing, not just a text.”
“That’s a good idea,” I relented. “But I have plans with Phoenix tonight. I already had Dani pull the books for me.
“Tomorrow then,” Taryn rolled her eyes at my weak attempts of deflection.
That meant in less than twenty-four hours, I would be face-to-face with my pack. Not only that, I’d have to explain myself.
Thank god I didn’t have any client meetings today, but now that the kids were accounted for, I had a solid two hours to knock out my ever-growing pile of emails and admin work. I didn’t regret taking that from Dani after her run-in with her stalker, but no matter how you looked at it, email sorting sucked.
As much as I tried to focus on my work, I couldn’t help but think of the pack. I’d have to stop beating myself up. Phoenix was my priority, and I had no regrets about taking time to get to know her and let her find her footing here.
What would she say about all this? Maybe I should talk to her about it tonight.
When the two hours were finally up, they both appeared like magic in my doorway, staring me down, arms crossed, blocking it so I couldn’t make an easy escape.
Not that I was trying to.
I sighed at them, then pulled out my phone quickly, going to the group chat that had been abandoned.
Me
I’m sorry for going MIA. There was a good reason, and I’d like to have dinner tomorrow night and explain… if you’re willing?
It wasn't even a full second later and my phone pinged three times.
Apollo
Of course, Goddess.
Corvin
Can’t wait, Siren. Need us to bring anything?
Ezra
What time, honeybee?
I glanced from my phone to my friends. “They’re in.”
My entire body sagged in relief. I didn’t realize how much I needed them to not hold it against me. How much I just needed them.
"See!” Dani grinned. “Do you want us to help with anything?"
"Did you get those books I asked for? I need to get those and the pizza. I have a niece that I promised books and food too." I said. “Tonight, I’m going to focus on her. Tomorrow, I will fix things with the pack.”
