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“That’s a lot of zeros,” I said out loud, my words sounding strange even to me. Apparently I was in full panic mode now.
“Autumn?” Boone’s gruff voice was like a lighthouse in a storm, cutting away some of the panic so I could at least turn to him.
His scent hit me first, it was stronger now that he seemed to be stopping his scent blockers, something he confided in me during our date together, and I breathed in the cedar and fall leaves like a drug. It cut even more of the panic away, but it was fighting an uphill battle in that department. The moment I faced him his own expression went from normal to concerned. “What’s wrong?”
I just slid over the paper in response. Carl made his way out, giving the two of us space as Boone looked over the invoice. He winced, then let out a whistle.
“This wasn’t in my plans, Boone,” I said as I let my head fall back. Hunter’s face appeared over mine before Jack pushed him out of the way.
If I thought Boone’s scent helped, it had nothing on all three combined. It was a masculine blend of earthy tones and sweet notes that was quickly becoming one of my most favorite things. It didn't hurt that they were just as enticing as their scents.
I may not be looking for a pack, per se, but I was happy to keep delving into whatever strange peace we’d created together. Even though I wasn’t looking and my life was turning out to be a bit of a mess, I wasn’t stupid enough to ignore the possibility completely. If it happened, it happened, at its own pace.
“You alright?” Jack asked. Boone slid over the paper as they sat down. “Shit, that’s not good news.”
“What is it?” Hunter asked impatiently when Jack didn’t hand it over right away.
“Termites,” I said before standing. “Which means my wood is not only infested, but there’s extensive rotting. It’s not just a roof to be repaired, but the whole fucking house. It might be better to just start from scratch at this rate.” At this point I was pacing as I ranted, hands flailing. “I’m going to have to find somewhere to stay long term.”
“You already have a room,” Boone said gruffly. “Why spend more money when you’re welcome with us?”
“Thanks,” I said, pausing long enough to give him a smile. “But my heat is coming. And that’s not something I can ask of you. There’s probably an omega clinic around here, they always have safe spaces to ride out a heat. I could just go there, then come back afterwards.”
I was so busy talking it out to myself that I nearly slammed into Jack when I turned to pace back. He steadied me before forcing me to look up at him. His blue eyes had me losing myself for a moment as I started to give into his calming presence.
“First, you’re going to breathe. And second, you can take the attic at our place. We renovated it a few years back but haven’t done anything with it so it’s nice and empty. And there’s a lock on the door so you can feel safe,” he promised.
I turned to gauge the others and they both looked a bit taken back by his response, but not opposed.
“I don’t want to disrupt your life more than I already have,” I argued weakly.
The idea of being in a cold, quiet clinic over being somewhere that smelled like them wasn’t at all appealing. I’d chosen that option over spending my heat with anyone since I presented, and it always put a pit in my stomach about it before and after when I thought about it.
“You aren’t a disruption, Autumn,” Boone argued. “I can go back and stay at my apartment over the shop if it helps.” The vulnerability in that statement had me stopping short.
“No, that would make me feel awful,” I said honestly, reaching out to grab his hand.
Hunter had been quiet and a nudge from his brother had him clearing his throat. I appreciated that Jack never let him sit on the sidelines so I could overthink about what he held back.
“I agree, our place is the best idea. We’re all more than willing to go stay elsewhere during your heat and let you use the house, but if that’s truly something you don’t want then we’ll make it work. We won’t lie and say it’ll be easy, but we’re here if you want us and if not, we respect that. Nothing will happen that you don’t want to happen,” he promised.
Something in his voice was strained but when I studied him he was smiling softly and seemed completely genuine. One thing I didn’t think Hunter was, was a liar, so I took him at his word.
“Okay, that sounds nice,” I admitted. “He didn’t give me a time estimate, but I doubt it’ll be quick. I might have enough time to start taking heat suppressants.”
“Is that something you want to do?” Boone questioned seriously. “Sometimes starting suppressants or blockers don’t have the best side effects. I didn’t realize how much until I stopped taking mine recently.”
I loved how open he was with the three of us, and while I wasn’t entirely sure of the reason he’d decided to take blockers in the first place, the fact that we were having an honest conversation as a group, that would affect us all spoke volumes.
“I’ve only tried them once in college and they gave me some intense headaches among other things,” I admitted, grimacing slightly at the memory.
“Then they’re not worth it,” Hunter said. “Trust us, Autumn. You don’t need to do that to yourself for our sake. However you want your heat to play out is how it will go. You call the shots.”
I reached out and took his hand, squeezing it slightly before looking at all of them. “You guys are seriously amazing. I-I have a lot of work to do between the orchard and figuring out what to do with this place now. I need to do a bit of work on my budgets and see what I can swing, but staying with you all would definitely help.”
“Come on, let’s go back to our place. I’ll get some sweet tea and lunch going while the guys take you up,” Jack said as he held out a hand in invitation. I didn’t hesitate to put mine in his and let him pull me out to his truck.
He sat me in the front while the guys jumped in the truck bed. With how loudly it roared to life when Jack turned it on I was shocked I didn’t hear them pull up when I was talking with Carl. Then again, today wasn’t exactly packed full of great news.
