Chapter Twenty-FourEvan
Chapter Twenty-Four
Evan
“ C an we talk about Grace? If she and Wes have known each other since they were kids, and played at the park, why does she have no record? If Wes and Grace are mates, why are we just hearing about her now?” Riley asked me while we waited for Grace and Wes on the couch of the third-floor living room.
“It’s a weird story–and not mine to tell. I don’t even know all of it. Grace’s mom was a big part of it and she went to great lengths to keep Wes and Grace from each other. I know Wes loves her–and I’m pretty sure she loves Wes,” I replied.
She rolled her eyes. “That’s obvious. It’s just weird.”
“Yep. But I like her. What do you think?” It would be easier if my sister liked her.
“The verdict’s still out.” Riley shrugged.
Wes joined us, holding two hoodies. “Grace, are you ready?”
The door opened, and Grace came out of her room. She wore the black math crop top with a long-sleeved shirt under it, and frayed denim jeans. In her hand were the motorcycle boots Jett had bought. She wore makeup and had covered all her bruises.
Hot damn. It was clearly a Riley outfit. I gave my sister a look. She flipped me off.
Wes gave Grace a kiss. “You look hot. Who bought the boots?”
“Jett,” I replied, coming over to them. Pulling her to me, I ran my hand over her covered stomach.
“I don’t do crop tops,” Grace said softly, eyes downcast, her scent taking on a hint of sadness.
My hands fisted at the thought of her scars. Wes came up behind me and pressed his body to mine and ran his hands over me, nuzzling my neck.
“Your eyeliner. Fuck. How did you do your makeup like that?” Riley checked her phone. “We need to move, fuckers.”
“Here, I have this for you.” Wes slipped a thick zip-up hoodie over her arms. “Do you need one too?” Wes also had my favorite of his hoodies in his hands.
While I had a jacket, that wasn’t why I wanted to wear it–or why he asked me to.
“Thank you.” I snagged a kiss as I took it from him.
“If you want to know how to do eyeliner like this, I can teach you. I figured it was what you wanted me to do when you left the liquid eyeliner with the clothes,” Grace said as we walked down the backstairs. “Back when I did roller derby, that’s how I did my makeup.”
“Roller derby?” Riley asked.
“Um, yeah. Maybe you don’t have that here?
Women on skates play a game where they skate around the rink in a circle, trying to keep each other from getting all the way around.
It’s a little rough,” Grace said. “It was with my department when I was getting my PhD. We all had math names. I was Peach Pi . We played other departments, it was fun.”
“Skate smash, you did skate smash at your university. That’s hot,” I breathed, holding Wes’ hand as we went into the garage. It was rough and tumble, even more than hockey.
“Respect.” Riley fist-bumped her. “I like watching the pro leagues on TV. Before I moved in with these assholes, I used to play. I’m going to try out for my school team.
Tryouts for next year are after spring break so we can train all summer.
I want to do the summer camp the Rockland Raiders run, too. ”
“That sounds fun.” Grace nodded. Yeah, we should probably catch Grace up on sports, movies, and other things most people knew here.
We drove to the movies and crossed the lobby. Grace held Wes’ hand, looking around at all the people and movie posters.
“No popcorn?” she asked as we went to our theater.
“Inside. You’ve never been to the fancy movie theater? You need to go on better dates.” Riley found our seats, which were all in a row together.
Riley sat on one side of me, Wes on the other, Grace next to him. I should let her sit between us, but I was feeling a little selfish. The chairs were giant recliners that had movable armrests, tray tables, blankets, and pillows.
“What are we getting, fuckers?” Riley had out her phone.
“Popcorn,” Grace piped up, settling into her chair, her feet not even touching the floor.
“They have actual food here. You never had lunch and should eat,” Wes told her. “You should eat food, too.” He kissed my cheek.
Riley rolled her eyes. “I plan on eating food, Wes. Happy?”
“Very. Everyone should eat food.” Wes looked like the smug fuck he was.
We placed our food order. Grace moved up her armrest and curled into Wes’ side, covering herself with a blanket. He tucked her in, giving her a fond pat.
I felt bad dragging her out so soon, but we couldn’t leave her home alone. She might even like it. It was a spy comedy.
Better dates. Where could we take her? Usually, Wes and I kept our dates low-key.
Wes grabbed my hand over the armrest and squeezed it.
“Oh, fuck.” Riley made herself small in her chair.
“What?” I followed her gaze and saw a lanky teen guy in a leather jacket, eyeliner, and boots enter the theater with a couple of men.
“Marcos.” She ducked her head.
“I thought he was your friend. What happened?” Frowning, I watched him look at his phone, then his head whipped around and he headed straight for us.
“He is. I don’t like people flaking.” She made a face.
While thetas were independent, they were also insecure and wanted to feel like they were needed and belonged without being smothered. It was a rough balance.
“Riley.” Marcos’ entire goth face lit up. “Hey, I texted you, a couple of times. Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. Went home for the weekend. Pack stuff.” Her voice went flat.
“I get that. Thanks for being cool about yesterday. I found out why they wanted me to change my plans. Papi and Dado came home to surprise me for my birthday! They didn’t want to tell me in case they couldn’t make it.
But they’re here!” Marcos beamed, clearly oblivious to her posture and expression.
Her arms uncrossed, and she sat forward, mood instantly changing. “Wait, your papi came home? Dado, too? Shit. That’s great.”
“ I know. Yesterday, I got to spend the entire day with just him and Dado. I miss them so much when they’re away.”
“Just you? Fantastic. Your birthday’s this weekend?” Riley leaned forward even more.
He grinned and leaned in. “Don’t tell. It’s tomorrow.”
Well, this was super amusing. I was pretty sure Marcos was a young alpha. An alpha and a theta. That could get interesting, considering alphas needed to protect and be needed, and thetas liked to pretend they didn’t need anyone.
“Marcos, our seats are over here, Mijo,” a man called.
“Papi, come here. I want you to meet someone.” Marcos waved him over.
“You want me to meet your papi?” Her grin went nervous.
“I do.” Marcos looked over at me and suddenly realized that Riley wasn’t alone. “Is this your pack? I’m so sorry to interrupt.”
“Part of them, and no, it’s fine.” Her head ducked a little as she grinned.
“It’s so nice to meet you.” Marcos turned to me as four guys joined him.
“This is my brother Evan and his mate, Wes. The blanket potato on the end is Grace,” Riley introduced.
“Evan and Wes.” Marcos nodded. “Ri talks about you. No Spence?” He looked around.
“He had an outdoor business meeting. But maybe we can go visit him this week? The cafeteria at his work has good ice cream; they change flavors on Wednesdays,” Riley replied.
She wanted to take him to visit Spencer? Oh boy.
“Outdoor business meetings last forever, don’t they? Pops always has them. I’ve tried to take it up, but it’s so boring. ” Marcos looked over at a rather imposing alpha, who was older than Spencer, grey in his dark hair.
That dad of Marcos’ reminded me a bit of my old drill sergeant and looked a tad familiar–he might be law enforcement. The man messed up Marcos’ hair.
“Anyway, Ri, meet my four dads. Papi, Dad, Pops, and Dado, meet my friend Ri, from school–and her family,” Marcos said.
“It’s so nice to finally meet you. He talks about you all the time,” the one he indicated as Papi , said to Riley.
“He does?” Riley smiled and ducked her head. “He… he talks about you, too.”
Wes leaned in, voice barely audible, “Is that?”
I nodded. Papi, the shortest and slightest of the four, was a lithe and handsome man, with dark wavy hair and tan skin, come-hither eyes. He was an omega, and also a very famous actor, named Antonio Caruso. He played heartthrobs who could ballroom dance, had perfect aim, and drove fast cars.
We met the others. Dado was clearly an ex-military alpha. Dad had a more easygoing nature about him and could be a beta, it was hard to tell with all the scents flying around. Pops, the one who might be law-enforcement, seemed like he was head alpha.
“I’m so glad to meet you all as well,” Antonio told us.
“It’s always nice to meet Marcos’ friends.” Pops kept an arm around Antonio’s waist. He kept glancing over at Grace, who’d sat up, but was still huddled against Wes.
She was pretty, with her delicate features and grey-blue eyes. They could also be trying to figure out where she fit, since blanket potato wasn’t one of the usual descriptors used in families and packs. Wes kept one arm around her as he held my hand. His look clearly said mine.
“We should take our seats,” Pops said. “The movie will start soon, and we haven’t ordered yet.”
“I’ll be right there,” Marcos said as his dads went to their seats.
A few people gave Antonio appreciative looks as he walked by, Pops’ arm around him the entire time.
“I know things are busy, but if you could at least answer the text about math, I’d appreciate it,” Marcos told Riley.
“Marcos,” Antonio called.
“I should go. I’ll see you Monday?” he said.
She smiled. “Yeah, fuck you later.”
“Fuck you later.” He grinned and ran off.
“You should probably choose a different parting phrase,” I laughed. “Unless, you’re…” They were at that age, and we had those talks.
“Oh, my fuck, no.” Her look went aghast. “We’re just friends.”
“Sure,” Wes teased.
Riley flipped him off. “Shut the fuck up.”
“He seems nice,” Grace whispered.
“He does. You have a lot of classes together, right?” I prodded.
“We’re both freshmen.” She rolled her eyes.