Chapter Nineteen
Grace
Irubbed my stomach. It hadn’t been bad yet, but it was coming. I could feel it.
“Are you okay?” Brennan had been very quiet as we drove to the Performing Arts Center in Jett’s convertible, top down, the radio playing.
It was probably because he didn’t like driving cars. I offered to drive, but he insisted.
“TMI, but I think I’m getting my period soon.
In the couple of days before, I’m often not just cranky, but sick.
So, if I’m crying and throwing up, just get me a heating pad and tell me I’m pretty.
” I shrugged. The drug store had given me a few ideas–as had the omegas at book club last night.
Kilroy’s mom’s friends had all been really nice. I was looking forward to the next one.
“Normal bodily functions aren’t TMI. Also, that doesn’t sound right. Have you talked to the doctor?” He frowned.
“They did some tests, but since I haven’t had one lately, they said they’d wait and see how this one is. You know, every gamma is different and all that.”
His look grew skeptical.
“It’s not always bad. I hope it’s not this time. I just started this job. It’s always hard to explain to bosses when I need time off.” I sighed.
“Why? That’s what health days are for, and they shouldn’t be asking you for specifics.
Are your cycles more like alpha lady cycles than omega lady cycles?
Like your uterus punishes you for not letting a sexy male omega put a baby in you?
” he asked. “That’s how my sister describes it.
She takes something for it that she buys at the store.
Well, she doesn’t have to now because she let a male omega put a baby in her. But I can ask her what she takes.”
I laughed. “Sounds about right. Yeah, though the punishing is mostly pre-bleeding for me.”
Brennan frowned. “They just told you to wait and see? That doesn’t sound right at all.”
“It might be different now that I’m with alphas–and Evan. Apparently, omegas can influence gamma hormones, in a good way.” If taking Evan to bed with me made my cramps disappear, count me in.
“Okay. Well, if we need to leave, let me know.” His brow remained furrowed.
“I took something, I’m just waiting for it to kick in.” Which hopefully would be soon. I wanted to enjoy myself tonight.
“Have they always been that way?” He frowned.
“Yeah. I mean, I didn’t start having cycles until well into college.
I’d already been a bit of a late bloomer, probably because of cheer.
And well, apparently everything they did to me at wilderness camp probably disrupted them.
It was part of why I was always brushed off.
That, and they’re irregular as fuck. The doctors just kept changing my birth control and told me they’d probably get better.
But that hasn’t happened. If someone here can figure them out, I’d like that a lot. ” I shrugged.
“Maybe you should see a different doctor?” he suggested.
“Maybe?”
We arrived at the Performing Arts Center, which was visually stunning. After valet parking the car, Brennan escorted me in, offering me his arm again.
Like the other dinners I’d been to with them, everyone was done up impeccably. It was fun to see everyone’s beautiful outfits.
A cocktail reception was set up in the lobby. Music played as people drank and talked. Servers passed around trays of food.
“I don’t really want to talk to people, if that’s okay,” he whispered, as we went straight to the bar.
“That’s fine with me. Did you buy us an entire table, but it’s only us, so we don’t have to make conversation?”
“No. We’re part of someone else’s table, though I made a nice donation. But that’s a brilliant idea though.” He ordered a bourbon. I got a whisky smash.
Instead of mingling, Brennan showed me around the center, pointing out works of art and the architecture.
“You’ll love the acoustics in the hall, they’re spectacular,” he added.
We returned to the reception.
“Oh fuck. I think that’s Caroline and her pack,” he muttered, pulling us behind a plant. “Makes sense. Her mom always buys a table for things like this.”
“We just won’t engage and hope she doesn’t see us.” Great.
“Bren, why are you hiding behind a plant?” A pretty Asian woman in a black dress grinned. She was probably Brennan's age and might be an omega.
“Because they frown upon throwing people in the fountain.” He turned toward me. “Grace, this is Kari Jaroff. She’s performing tonight. We used to compete against each other in piano competitions. Kari, this is my packmate, Grace. She needs to learn how to play Volkov properly.”
Kari laughed. “You are so particular.”
“He is.” I giggled. “It’s so nice to meet you.”
“There you are. They’re letting us in for dinner.” A large man in a tux wrapped his arms around her. “Hi, Bren.”
“Hi Sam. Sam and I played in a rugby travel league together as kids. This is Grace,” Brennan introduced. “So, Kari became a famous pianist, Sam plays pro rugby, and me…”
Sam laughed. “Became a hotel mogul, is happily mated, and in a pack with Spencer Thanukos? I will punch anyone who says you’re a slacker.”
“Is my mother here?” He looked around.
I couldn’t help but laugh. Oh, I loved playful Bren. That seemed like an old joke.
Kari laughed. “You’re at our table, so you’ll be fine. You’ll just have to put up with my mom telling you how much more accomplished I’d be if I gave her grandchildren.”
“Always with the grandchildren. Thanks for inviting us,” Brennan added.
We went inside the room where dinner was being served. The decorations were impeccable.
“Three o’clock,” I whispered, holding onto his arm as we followed Sam and Kari to our table.
I held my breath, and we walked past the table. Nothing happened. But it was hard to relax.
Dinner was fun, and not nearly as long as the other dinners, since here the main program was a concert. There were just a couple of speeches about the education programs for young musicians that the fundraiser supported–including ones from the kids. More music played as we ate.
Kari’s pack, her parents and their pack, were really sweet.
“I’m glad you’re doing Volkov, and not strange pieces like the one you did in Boston with the bubble machine,” her mother said.
“That one was a little experimental,” Kari explained.
Sam thought for a moment. “I liked the bubble machine.”
Finally, Kari stood. “I have to go. See you out there.”
Sam helped her up and offered her his arm. He and one of her other packmates went with her, probably so she could prepare for her performance.
The rest of us finished dinner, and then we were invited into the auditorium.
“The music program here launched Kari’s career.
Once, she was one of those young musicians getting free lessons, now she tours the world,” Brennan whispered.
“She was always very kind to everyone. She also kicked my ass at competitions. I set her and Sam up. Her mom didn’t want her to date, so I manufactured reasons for them to get together.
We had a lot of classical music appreciation parties and study sessions at my house that year. Wes knows them, too.”
Brennan led me to a small private box with a magnificent view of her and the piano. He waved at Sam, who was right in the front. He waved back.
“This is beautiful.” I looked around at all the seats, boxes, and the stage.
I checked my phone. Wes sent me a silly picture of him and Spencer at the dinner. I sent him one of Brennan and me.
Evan hadn’t texted lately, but he and Jett were probably occupied. Actually, from what I felt through the bond, they might be getting ready to get busy.
I looked at the program, which listed what Volkov pieces that she was playing tonight. It wasn’t a long concert, but I was really looking forward to it, especially since I knew some of the pieces.
She opened with my favorite–the one Brennan said I always played too fast.
He shot me a smug look, but I was focused more on her playing, which was mesmerizing. Oh yes, it did flow better the way she played it.
Kari’s style was also completely different from Brennan’s. Something about her interpretation made it almost… magical.
Brennan draped an arm over my shoulder. His pine scent wrapped around me. Oh. Was this a date?
Would I be sad if it were? No. Not at all.
“Yeah, she’s good,” he whispered.
“She really is.” I’d heard a lot of pianists over the years, and she was extraordinary. I could imagine Brennan sitting in the audience, listening to her play as he waited his turn.
Had my mother’s playing been like that? While I saw that there were a couple of recordings of her playing online, I hadn’t brought myself to listen to them. I sniffed a little.
Kari played a few pieces, and I felt a little shot of pain through the bond. What? I reached out to everyone and got love back.
They didn’t stop. My belly twisted. Something was very wrong. Brennan also didn’t seem bothered. Huh. Even though you shouldn't text in a theatre, I tried to surreptitiously text everyone.
Me
Are you two okay?
Wes
I’m good. Did you know that Spencer will do karaoke for charity?
A photo followed.
Wes
Are you okay? Aren’t you at a concert?
Me
I’m fine, and I am. Love you.
I also tried Evan and Jett.
Me
Is everything okay?
No answer. Those bits of pain, and my worry that something was wrong, continued. Bren frowned at me, and I tucked my phone away.
Brennan pulled me to him, rubbing the back of my neck.
Spencer and Wes were fine. Yes, I was definitely getting this through Evan. I sucked in a breath.
“Grace?” Brennan looked at me with concern as I tried to stand.
“Something’s wrong with Evan. I can’t get a hold of him. Something’s hurting him. We should go, can’t you feel it?” I whispered, my eyes pleading with him.
Panic rose inside me. I got it again, and this one made my eyes tear. My chest heaved as I grabbed my purse.
“Fuck.” Brennan tried to pull me down. “Breathe, Grace.”
Tears streamed down my face, and I struggled. “We need to save him, something’s wrong.”
Someone below us looked up.