Chapter 6 Tae
SIX
Tae
PRESENT DAY
“Going somewhere?” Nash asks as I stride through our living room, not initially seeing him sitting on the sofa.
Valerie had movers transport and unpack all our belongings before we even arrived, which means we’ve spent the last few days trying to find everything.
Unfortunately, there was an “accident” involving some of our larger items, including our old sofa, which meant that Valerie sourced us replacements.
I secretly think she hated our furniture so much that she planned the accident on purpose.
Nash and Valerie’s relationship is already tense enough, so I’ve kept my suspicions to myself.
“Fucking sofa.” Nash shuffles around, trying to get comfortable.
I’m doubtful he’ll have any luck. A sofa that size isn’t large enough for such a big alpha.
He can’t even fully sprawl out without half his body hanging off its edge.
He stands up, slumping down in the armchair in defeat instead.
At least that he can fit in. “Doesn’t Val know sofas are supposed to be comfortable? ”
As nice as the items she’s picked out are, I feel like I’m living in more of a movie set than a home, hitting me with a pang of homesickness for our last apartment.
Sure, it was a crock of shit that was mainly falling apart and we didn’t own a lot, but it was the first place we’d called home together.
“Be nice to Val,” I warn. “She’s done a lot for us, remember?”
“Only because she has no choice,” he mutters darkly under his breath. “Maybe she’s using uncomfortable furniture to try to remind us, yet again, that we’re not good enough of a pack for Jagger.”
“She only said that once,” I remind him, although it still stings to remember the ball of fury she unleashed when Jagger told her that he’d formed a pack.
“And it was probably just the shock of it.” I’m probably giving Valerie more credit than is due, but it’s easier for me to play the peacekeeper.
Jagger’s already stuck between his manager and Nash, and I’m not going to add to his problems. “But you’re right about the furniture. ” I scrunch my nose. “It even smells.”
“Like fresh fucking plastic?” Nash scoffs. “Yeah, it does. Just like Valerie. Cold and synthetic.”
“At least we got to pick the house.” I point out, looking on the bright side.
Jagger insisted on buying a place. He claimed it would be easier than renting, and this way, Nash can renovate it.
Though it’s in the middle of nowhere, it’s only a short drive from Forestville and SVU. The house itself has a lot of space, but it needs a ton of work to bring it into this century.
I like how much character it has. The rustic hardwood floors, wood-beamed ceilings, and open-brick fireplace give it a welcoming feel, even though Nash says that half of it is rotting and needs replacing.
The previous owners were big doomsday preppers, so they built a separate outbuilding to stock supplies—perfect for Nash to transform into a workshop—and installed a state-of-the art security system with high-fences around the perimeter because they were so paranoid about being raided. It’s ideal for what we need.
Nash looks me over, eyes narrowing in suspicion. “Where are you heading anyway? I thought we were going to stay in tonight.”
“Oh, me?” I smooth down my favorite faded acid-wash T-shirt and the crinkles in my loose-fitting jeans, comfy and casual. “Didn’t I say? There’s a training thing at work.”
“Work, huh.” Nash’s brow furrows, obviously not believing me but not bothering to question further as he huffs in frustration, digging a cushion out from behind him and hurling it across the room.
I’m not hiding my date with Delilah from them.
I’m just not telling them about it. There’s a distinct difference.
As a pack, we’ve spoken about expanding our family one day, but Jagger’s status makes dating complicated.
As a relatively new pack, we’ve decided to just focus on ourselves for the time being…
A vow that I may be breaking this evening.
Plus, I reason, what’s the point in saying anything when I don’t know if she’ll even show up?
Despite her texting to confirm that we’ll meet outside the Tea House, I still have my doubts that someone as gorgeous as Delilah will show up.
Most omegas wouldn’t even consider dating a beta, but Delilah seems… different.
“Where’s Jagger?” I change the subject. “I thought you were supposed to be his bodyguard.”
“He can shower without me around.” Nash crosses his arms moodily.
Something’s bothering him.
When we talked through the details before moving here, we all agreed that it made sense for Nash to take on that role.
It made sense, with him being massive and all, but it’s still pushing him out of his comfort zone.
Nash is a guy of few words, choosing to avoid any type of attention, and now he’s being pushed to the forefront, having to bat off adoring fans. This is a far cry from our old lives.
Until Jagger came along, our lives were utterly boring.
I worked in a coffee shop—where I met Jagger—and Nash did various handyman jobs.
Nash has a knack for being able to fix anything.
When Jagger came into the shop one day complaining that a leaky pipe had destroyed an amp, I called Nash to fix it, and well… The rest is history.
“How’s the whole bodyguard gig going?” I ask him, dropping down onto the uncomfortable sofa. Nash’s right—it feels like my ass is perching on concrete.
“Fine.” Nash pinches the bridge of his nose. “Well, if you define fine as having to avoid fainting girls, countless questions, and selfie attempts. I’ve had to throw out over 100 phone numbers this week!”
I cackle. “Maybe it’s a new world record?”
“You’d think he was a fucking god or something,” Nash growls. “If they knew that he cries when he watches cartoons, they’d be thinking differently.”
“That was only one time!” Jagger appears in the doorway with a towel wrapped around his waist. “And the Lion King isn’t a cartoon; it’s a movie! It’s emotional, okay? Also, I think plenty of those numbers were for you.”
Nash’s cheeks color slightly as he grumbles to himself and strides toward the kitchen. “I’m gonna grab a bite.”
“I better go.” I stand up, rubbing my already sore butt. “Or I’ll be late for my… work thing.”
“Have fun.” Jagger smiles, but it looks forced and doesn’t meet his eyes, like he’s wearing a mask that’s about to crack.
His celebrity status on campus must be taking a toll on him.
There appears to be longing coupled with a resigned acceptance in the way he watches me grab my keys.
It’s been years since he’s been able to walk outside without wearing a disguise or being followed by an entourage.
I hesitate at the door, hearing my packmates start bickering about where they’re going to get takeout from, wondering whether not telling them where I’m really going is a bad idea.
No, I shake my head. There’s nothing to tell. Not yet anyway.
When I get to SVU, the campus is abuzz with activity.
I can see why Jagger likes it here. There’s something nice about the peaceful backdrop of the mountains coupled with the boundless enthusiasm that seems to hang in the air, practically simmering with possibility.
Although I never went to college myself, this is the kind of place I would have liked to attend.
Excited voices surround me as a group of students stroll past, discussing the latest The Valley Voice issue.
There’s no missing their giggles when one points out Jagger’s “hot bodyguard” in the background of a photo.
I bite my cheek to stop myself from laughing.
That’s something I’ll have to file away to tell Nash later.
“But we’ve just eaten!” I overhear an omega say to the alpha accompanying her in a line to a food truck offering loaded tacos. The smell of onions, spices, and grilled peppers, causes my mouth to water. “We’re supposed to be on a date. You promised to take me skating! Look, there’s already a line!”
The guy mumbles something in reply as my eyes land on a sign outside Club Knotty. I hadn’t decided what I was going to do with Delilah yet—that depends on her turning up—but a grin now spreads over my face. I know exactly where we’re going.
With an extra bounce in my step, I continue on, wondering whether I should have brought her a gift.
I’m busy mulling over whether she would prefer flowers or chocolate when I see her up ahead.
She stands out in a cute denim overall dress paired with a fluffy patterned cardigan.
I swallow hard as my gaze trails down to her gray knee-high knitted socks that frame the soft curves of her legs.
She plays with the corners of her cardigan and smooths down her hair, her eyes widening when she sees me.
Her dark hair has been pulled back into a bun on top of her head, my fingers twitching to push the few loose tendrils behind her ear.
“Tae.” Her beaming smile radiates warmth and makes my stomach turn to goo. She’s even more striking than I remember. “You came.” She almost sounds surprised.
“Of course, I did.” I return her smile. “I couldn’t miss out on seeing the pretty girl who likes smutty books and tells me what pairs best with drinks, could I?”
She laughs, releasing a snort that has her raising her hand to cover her mouth in embarrassment. “Sorry… I…” She drops her hand. “This is the…” She looks away from me. “First date I’ve been on in a while.”
So this is definitely a date. Fuck yes!
“Well, I’m going to make sure this is the best first date you’ve been on in a while.”