Chapter 22
TWENTY-TWO
It’s still weird to say that I have a pack.
The fact that I’m meeting my pack mates out for dinner so we can get to know each other—because we just locked eyes and suddenly we’re bonded to each other for the rest of our lives—is fucking insane. I’m still buzzing.
We should have spent the rest of that night learning serious things about each other, but Dax was so excited he incited a jovial riot.
He ran around the house, telling anyone who would listen that he and Everett had found their pack mate.
Booze had entered the chat and next thing I knew, I was in the midst of a spontaneous frat party as every one of their frat brothers joined in on the celebration.
It’s been a long time since I’ve felt nervous about telling someone I don’t drink.
I was worried about bringing it up and ruining the party, but no one cared that I didn’t partake.
They just asked me if I was comfortable with them drinking, and when I said yes we all moved on like everything was good.
Especially my new pack mates, who welcomed my boundary with open arms .
I guess having frat guys as pack mates isn’t all that bad.
When I get to the restaurant, I’m relieved that it’s not some ridiculously expensive place that I can’t afford.
Not to mention, I’m in the mood for some ordinary chain mozzarella sticks, which just happens to already be on the table when I get there.
Something inside me twists with unexpected happiness.
I immediately grab one after sitting down, not even bothering with quality small talk.
“I knew you were a stick guy,” Dax jokes.
I return the amusement with a chuckle of my own. “Oh, shut up. You two are the definition of stick guys.” And then I mimic the motion of hitting a hockey puck.
Everett huffs a laugh under his breath.
“So, Jett. Did you ever think about what your future pack would look like? Were they as attractive as your actual pack mates?” Dax gives me a joking grin that makes me laugh.
“No, they weren’t as attractive as you two because I never thought about having a pack at all,” I respond earnestly.
“I wasn’t in a pack growing up. It was just me and my dad, and even though he was an alpha, he didn’t really act like one.
I didn’t know what pack life could be like, so I never really wished for it or knew what I was missing. ”
I’ve always been a lone wolf, so I didn’t know I’d have a pack one day. Couldn’t even fathom it.
“I’m excited, though,” I continue. “There must be a reason. And Everett came into my life when I needed it most, so this must be the right timing.”
Everett nods. “Right timing indeed.”
I smile before grabbing another mozzarella stick. “What were your lives like growing up? Did you live in packs?”
“I’m kind of like you in that way,” Everett responds.
“I never thought about pack life growing up. It was always just my mom and me. My mother is a beta and she raised me on her own. My dad passed away when I was really little.” I open my mouth to respond to that but he waves it off.
“It’s okay, you don’t have to say it. I don’t feel like I’m missing anything, not when Dax’s family is enough to cover at least three families.
And when I say that, I mean there’s so many of them it’s overstimulating to the max. ”
“Oh yeah?” I say, looking over at my blond pack mate. “You have a big family?”
I see Dax’s eyes brighten. “Yeah. Two moms, two dads. They’re great, you’ll love them. In fact, they’re forcing me and my sister to come home for Thanksgiving. You should come with us. Have you ever been to New York?”
I nearly choke on the fried cheese in my mouth. “New York City ?”
Seeing New York has always been my dream. Acting in the big city. Busy streets and cold weather. Rat-infested restaurants. Times Square. My best friends are already there, but I’ve never been able to afford to visit them.
“Yeah! That’s where my parents like to spend most of their time. Except during the summer when they go off somewhere warm. Normally it’s the Maldives. They like to re-experience their honeymoon, apparently.”
My mouth gapes open but then I shut it. “I’m sorry… did you mention what your parents do? Am I missing something?”
Everett laughs. “Might as well rip the band-aid off, Dax. Then Jett and I can relate to each other about how different your life was from ours.”
My eyebrows raise just as Dax scoffs. “It wasn’t that different.”
“You live in a penthouse,” Ev says.
“That’s fairly new. We lived in the suburbs most of our lives. And Nicole and I didn’t know anything about our parents’ jobs for a long time. Tell your mom she can come to Thanksgiving, too, by the way. They’ll love to have her visit again.”
Everett returns the sentiment with another soft smile. “She did like the turkey last year. I’ll give her a call tomorrow and ask.”
I wave my hands a little bit to show them I’m still here. “Hello? There’s no band-aid being ripped off here. All I know so far is New York, Maldives, and fucking penthouse .”
Dax puts his hands up in surrender. “Okay, let’s start with their jobs. My father’s a lawyer.”
Everett interjects, “For celebrities and moguls.”
“Yes, but still.” Dax looks back to me. “You may have heard of a case he was on, with Renee Simon.”
My eyes go even bigger. “That trial was huge.”
It was one of the biggest televised trials of my childhood.
Renee Simon, a child actor, had sued his own family for their entire estate.
He had years of documented abuse, and the financial control they had over him was deplorable.
We all grew up watching him in the best shows and it was heartbreaking to finally see how things were behind the scenes for him.
And the man who helped him? Apparently Dax’s father.
“Tell him about your mom,” Everett adds in before I can even get over the shock of the first thing.
“There’s more ?”
“Yeah…” Dax takes a sip from his drink, looking nervous all of a sudden. “My mother may or may not be a famous actress.”
Holy shit. As soon as the words come out, there’s a lightbulb going off in my head. The blond hair, the perfect-set eyes, the widow’s peak. He kind of looks like…
“ Cordelia Monaghan .”
Dax nods. “Yes. She’s my mother.”
“I’m your new pack mate, that’s an actor, and you didn’t think this was important to tell me?” I say in disbelief, but I end up smiling because wow . How didn’t I fucking know that? He looks just like her. And Monaghan .
“No one else knows but you and Everett,” Dax admits.
Everett agrees, “Yeah, he doesn’t lead with it. It took him about six months to tell me.”
I falter slightly. “Wait… I’ve followed her career for a long time. I had no idea she had a family.”
Dax smiles proudly. “The beauty of a big pack. My non-famous parents were able to keep us out of the limelight. If there was paparazzi, we’d go one way with two parents while they stayed behind. It’s always been that way.”
“What about your other mom and dad, what do they do?”
“Oh, my mom’s a surgeon and my dad is a ghostwriter.”
My jaw nearly drops. “And you’re studying to be a physical therapist.”
Dax beams. “Definitely. My mother always wanted me to go into acting, though, because I have ‘the bone structure for television,’ but it’s not my thing. But hey, you’re an actor! I bet you guys will have a lot to talk about.”
I think again about Thanksgiving, wondering what it would be like to be surrounded by a big loving family during the holidays instead of being alone in my dorm room.
The last few years I’ve been on my own. Not that the holidays were much fun before that. In high school, I’d go over to Harland or Shiloh’s house. Their families were best friends so they were always together, and I always tagged along.
The idea of being a part of a unit, of being somewhere I belong instead of feeling like an intruder, is too good to give up.
“So… Thanksgiving. What day were you thinking of heading over?”
Dax grin widens. “You want to go? Are you sure? If you have plans with your family, I understand.”
I shake my head. “It’s just my dad and he’s an alcoholic. I haven’t seen him in years. I sincerely want to meet your family.”
I notice that both of them stay neutral in light of my minor confession, which I appreciate. Dax just smiles positively like usual. “There’s always a seat for you. I haven’t told them yet that I found my pack officially, but they’re going to love you.”
The idea of them loving or caring for me makes me feel a bit shy, but I just nod, hoping my embarrassment isn’t showing on my face.
Before I can respond, Dax continues. “And you’ll get to meet my sister.”
I wince, thinking about the sore subject that is Nicole Monaghan.
Everett tries to contain his chuckle, and Dax looks at me with realization. “Or you already know her, considering you’re in the same major. I keep forgetting you’re in that Shakespeare class.”
“Yeah, I know her,” I say as graciously as possible.
They both give me curious looks, like they can tell there’s more to it than that, but before they can comment on it, the waiter is back and asking about entrees.
“Buckle up, Joe,” he tells the waiter just before he practically orders the whole menu.