Chapter 45
It takes longer than I would like to buy all the pillows and blankets and get back on the road.
We have to move all the paint to the frunk and then stack everything else in the backseat of Nadine.
I can’t say I’m sorry not to be crammed back there for once.
I know that logistically speaking, it’s the only way for all three of us to fit in this little car; it doesn’t mean I enjoy the experience.
I hope Spence enjoys all the new pillows.
I know Al wanted to do something nice for the big guy.
I’m just not sure I can trust his motive behind it.
It’s not like he’s made a secret out of not wanting an omega.
Hopefully, he just wants to help our packmate out.
Alistair mutters to himself as we finally make it to the grocery store where Billy works.
It’s the only one in town, so I know it’s where Sam’s pack was planning on stopping.
We pull up beside the minivan parked near the front and I see Spencer hop out and lope over.
He practically has to squat to look in the window and the first thing I notice is his bright red nose with tissues hanging out of it.
I know those signs. “What happened this time?”
He’s grinning at me despite the bloody lip.
“Sarah head-butted me, but then she gave me tissues. Isn’t she sweet?
” Alistair is boggled beside me, looking at our packmate like he’s lost what little bit of a mind he has, but I’ve known Spencer forever.
His nose gets broken at least once a year during football season.
Not to mention his sisters. It barely fazes him anymore.
I’ve had it happen twice, and it’s always miserable with the eye watering and the throat clogging taste of blood.
Maybe he has some sort of sensory deprivation issues.
“I’m gonna call Mom when we get home and ask if Penny got back yet.
She usually helps me re-set it so it’s not crooked. ”
I pinch the bridge of my own nose, staring at the big grinning lunatic.
“That’s because she’s the one who usually breaks it.
She had to get good at re-setting it to keep that mug of yours so handsome.
” Spence ducks his head, a blush coming over his cheeks and ears as he stands and shuffles inside the store at high speed.
I just know Billy’s gonna ask about it. That boy is a bigger gossip than the entire bridge club combined.
Sam stalks over; that’s really the only way to say it.
He has two speeds: an easy lope and a stalk.
Since he left the rest of his pack and visitors in the van, he seems in a rush.
“Sorry about Spence’s nose and lip. Sarah woke up in a panic and accidentally head-butted him, trying to escape.
I’ll check with Teddy later if she’s alright, but I wanted to check in on Spence too.
The big guy said he’s fine, but he was bleedin’ like a stuck pig back there. ”
He looks back and forth between Alistair and me while he speaks, and since my packmate chooses not to respond, I take it upon myself.
“Yeah, no. This happens. More than you’d think actually.
Between football and his family, he’s probably gonna have some massive sinus issues in the future.
It doesn’t seem to be more than a mild inconvenience at the moment, but I’ll let you know if it gets worse.
Here, lemme go inside to get food with you.
Spence is already in there, probably telling Billy how adorable the omega that broke his nose is. ”
Sam seems to surprise himself with a loud bark of laughter before shaking his head.
“He’s got it bad, huh? I’ve only met Sarah once before this weekend.
She’s a firecracker, that’s for sure. But she’s also protective.
I thought she was gonna kill Garret last time she saw him.
She also threatened to un-man Vee over the phone, so, don’t let her size fool you.
She’s a spiteful little thing when she needs to be.
Not that I think Spence would ever give her reason, just a heads-up. ”
I climb out of Nadine and give a low hum of approval ’cause I can imagine that.
She looks like she could be either sweet or salty.
And woe be to anyone who makes her salty.
I duck back down so I can meet Alistair’s eyes.
If any of us is gonna get on her bad side, it’s gonna be him.
Thought, he can probably match her for saltiness, if not sheer destructive force.
He just nods at me, letting me know he understands that she’s important to Spencer, even if he doesn’t understand why.
Speaking of the devil, he’s leaned over the checkout counter, paint swatches in hand, showing them off to Billy when we walk through the door.
Spence’s hands wave in the air, probably trying to explain what he wants to do with the room, as Billy stares at his nose and bloody lip.
I bet the big lug didn’t even tell him what happened—that, or he just forgot about it.
He has a one-track mind most of the time, and has been known to wander off in the middle of projects, completely oblivious to everything around him.
He’s so tied up in this, I doubt he’ll get much of anything else done except for work—and he may even forget he’s on the schedule for that.
Spence finally stops to take a breath, a huge grin stretching his face as he waits for Billy’s reaction.
The poor beta is a bit green-looking as he stares at our packmate’s bloody teeth.
His voice is barely audible from across the store.
“Um, that sounds awesome, dude, really. But what the hell happened to your face? Did you drop one of the paint cans on your head or something? Quick, close your mouth. My boss is in his office, and I don’t want him calling the cops if he sees you like that. You know the guy can be a dick.”
The big alpha’s grin drops, and he squeezes his lips together, as if worried someone might try to forcibly open his mouth to look at his bloody teeth.
He nods frantically and starts trying to answer through his closed lips; nothing but muzzled grunts come out.
Finally, Billy takes pity on the guy. “Ok, talk, just don’t smile.
You really need to go rinse your mouth out…
and reset your nose. It’s already starting to swell. Seriously, what happened?”
Spence’s mouth pops open, sucking in a deep lungful of air.
He must have been holding his breath while his mouth was closed.
Idiot. He huffs in deep gulps of oxygen like a drowning man for a few moments, blowing the hair back from Billy’s head.
Finally under control, he smiles again, carefully not letting his teeth show.
“Oh, I met an omega; she’s super sweet, but she broke my nose…
but it was an accident. I think it was an accident.
She fell asleep on me, and when she woke up, she sat up and head-butted me in the face.
” He left off most of the story, but Billy’s mated to my brother and has been friends with Spence for years, so he gets a lot of the context without having to have the full story.
He just nods along, knowing that if it’s important, one of us will fill in the blanks at some point in the future.
I meander up to say hi as well, but before I can explain everything, Sam’s there with a basket full of lunch meats, cheese, bread, fruits, crackers, and various jars of condiments.
It’s one meal, and I’m pretty sure that this is overkill, but he seems insistent on making sure his pack is fed and taken care of, so I shouldn’t be surprised.
Sam can be growly with everyone else, as I saw last year after the fire wiped out his shed, but he’s a big softie for his packmates.
He even insists on taking care of Garret—though they aren’t involved other than through Kelly.
His voice is gruff as he sets the basket on the counter by Billy.
“Shit, I forgot the damned cilantro for Shaggy. I’m gonna leave this here.
I’ll be right back.” He’s only gone for a moment and returns with a huge bundle of herbs before any of us can figure out who or what Shaggy is, and why they like cilantro so much.
I thought his only two houseguests were the omega and beta.
Billy’s already scanned everything else, and Sam sets down three bundles of cilantro, mint, and basil before pulling out his phone and looking at it.
He leaves again and returns with a bag of carrots, pushing the lot towards Billy with an apologetic grunt.
The three of us stare at the random assortment that’s just been bagged up before Spence finally breaks the silence.
“Uh, Sam…I don’t mean to be rude, but…what kinda salad are you making, ’cause—Paul back me up here—don’t you need lettuce or spinach or something like that?
Are you just eating a big handful of mint…
well, maybe some kind of mixed drink…with carrots?
” Sam looks confused for a minute, staring back and forth between us before pulling out his phone.
On the screen is a picture of a huge white rabbit, almost bigger than the little girl holding it up.
The top of the screen is a long list proclaiming itself the “best food and treats for pet rabbits.”
Spencer’s grin is back. “Oh, you got a rabbit? I love bunnies! What kind? What does Jake think? Have you named it yet? What color is it?” Sam stops him with a chagrined look and a wave of his hand.
“I don’t know how to answer any of that other than no, we didn’t get one.
It’s Sarah’s pet, some sort of tiny thing.
Like a teacup model, or whatever you call ’em for rabbits.
The little bastard fits in one hand, and I had to reinforce his run with extra slats because I thought she was bringing something normal-sized, not something I have to worry about stepping on.
Jake hasn’t really met the critter yet because while I trust my dog, this thing wouldn’t make more’n a mouthful, and he can get kind of excited by guests.
I’m just letting Sarah decide on how to handle things.
Rio has tried to break into their room a couple of times to get a good sniff, but she got thumped at for her trouble, which seemed like a hell of a shock.
Steve scooped her up and took her back to her room. ”
I don’t recognize that name. “What the hell is a Rio?”
Sam scans his debit card and waves his hand back and forth.
“I don’t know…some kinda cat, I think. Ugly ass thing, but at least its hair’s coming back in.
Steve adopted it and babies it like a fucking mother hen.
He even dressed it in little kid clothes to keep it warm since it’s naked.
There’s something wrong with its face; it’s all flat and seems to be allergic to everything, even Jake.
Not that he minds; he just thinks he found a new friend. ”
That sounds absolutely horrifying, and I’ll need to ask Kelly about it later.