Chapter 26 #3
But seriously though… this smell is fucking with me. I should’ve showered instead of rushing away like this. Whatever he did, I refuse to admit that it doesn’t smell gross or vile. Despite that, I’m still fuming mad about it.
***
We drove to Drowsy Hollow first so she could pick up some flowers for Sherry and get coffees from my favorite coffee shop.
Sometime in the next couple months the trip won’t need to be so long as Erica will be opening her garden center just a short drive outside the village and there will be a little café and housewares plus clothing shop in it.
The coffee hits the spot, but my barista friend Nadia remarked that I smell amazing and Stacy giggled.
The side quest also bought some time so I could call Val and ask if we can pop by after Sherry didn’t answer Stacy’s call or text. Val was all for the idea when I called and told me I don’t ever need to call first since I’m family now. Argh.
“I don’t know how he marked me,” I say to Stacy as we pass the four corners. “But it probably doesn’t take a rocket scientist to guess.”
“Nope, probably not. Maybe he… ejaculated on you while you were asleep,” Stacy whispers.
“If he did … that’s just… it’s just…”
“Hot?” she asks.
I shoot her a glare before returning my eyes to the road.
I catch her smile from my periphery.
“Stop,” I mutter.
“I know you’re avoiding your emotions where all this is concerned, like your mom said. I won’t pressure you to talk about it because I can relate to knowing you can’t overthink your situation for fear of falling apart, but…”
“But?”
“But when you’re ready or if it happens before you’re ready and you need to talk it out, vent about it, whatever… I’m here. Day or night.”
“Thank you,” I say, and I’m sincere about it. “Even though I know you’d be thrilled if I forgave him and jumped into his arms.”
“I’m not going to deny it. I want you to have your happy ending.”
I grind my teeth.
Goodness knows when I’ll be ready to tackle all these emotions, but I do know that at least I’ve got plenty of friends who will be here for me when that time comes.
As I pull up to the curb, she asks, “You realize you’re walking into the Creed house smelling like he marked you?”
I wince. “Fuck. I didn’t think about that. I should go home and shower quick first,” I say.
But Jase’s dad opens the front door and waves, a big smile on his bearded face.
And now I’m wishing I didn’t even come today.
I’ve always liked Jase’s dad. A big super alpha with a full beard and a very nice smile.
I guess Jase has his dad’s smile. And his eyes.
Robert also has a great sense of humor. He and Val are always bickering, but it’s kind of sweet because while they do, he teases her in a playful way, and while she gives him sass he always looks at her like he wants to tear her clothes off.
“I guess it’s too late to back out now,” I mumble as I take off my seatbelt.
When I get out of the car, Robert is immediately hugging me, lifting me up. “What a sight for sore eyes. I’m real happy to welcome you to the Creed clan, Bailey.” He eyeballs my neck briefly before his eyes return to my face and frown lines appear.
I only manage to mutter, “Uh…”
My face is red. This was a colossal mistake.
Robert waves a dismissive hand. “Don’t you worry. We know… you’ll work it out after you make him work for it.” He plants a kiss on my forehead while setting me down. “How you doin’ Stacy Blackwood?”
“I’m fine, thanks, Mr. Creed.”
“Rob,” he corrects and walks us up to the house, his big arms around the both of us.
Val opens the door with a smile, looking at me.
“Bailey,” she greets. “And hello, Stacy. Welcome.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Creed,” Stacy says at the same time as I say,
“Hi.”
“Valerie. Val. Come on in.”
“I… probably shouldn’t have come,” I say, remorse swimming through me.
Me avoiding my feelings evidently means I’ve also avoided logic.
“Why not?” Val asks.
“Jase and I aren’t exactly…”
How do I finish this sentence?
She waves her hand. “You’re making him work for it. We understand. He’s been a bit of a turd lately. Cold feet about mating was his biggest problem, sweetie pie. He deserves this.”
Robert is smiling encouragingly as my eyes bounce between Jase’s parents.
“It’s more than that,” I say, “Um…when I explain why I’m here you might want to promptly throw me out. And if you do, that’s perfectly all right.”
Val frowns. “Come on in and let’s talk about it.”
As soon as we’re deeper inside, she waves us down the two steps to the sunken family room where Sherry lays on a couch, eyes on her phone, earbuds in. She looks up and pulls her earbuds out, eyes bouncing between me and Stacy.”
Sherry is never less than put together. But here she is in sweats with a falling-down messy bun.
“Hi Sherry,” Stacy greets, holding out a gift bag with the little bouquet of flowers. “I brought you some treats.”
“What for?” Sherry asks, looking annoyed, not accepting the gift, leaving Stacy hanging.
And busted. Because Stacy called and texted and here Sherry is with her phone in her hand.
“Just… I was thinking about you. I wanted to stop by and say hello. You know… see how you’re doing.” Stacy sets the flowers and the gift bag on the coffee table.
“I’m not really up for company, which… just sayin’… not answering should’ve been your first clue. And what’s she doing here?” Sherry looks at me like I’m something the cat dragged in. Her nostrils flare and she makes a face of distaste.
“I’m here to talk to you about something,” I say.
“Me? You’re here to talk to me? Don’t you mean rub my nose in the fact that you got what you want and I got what I deserve?”
“No. Not at all, Sherry,” I say with as much kindness as I can muster despite the fact that as usual, she’s so fucking rude.
“I’ll make coffee,” Val says and rushes back up to the foyer which leads to the short staircase to the kitchen, which looks down on the family room.
“I made some carrot cake. You gals want some?” Robert asks.
“No thanks,” I reply. “I’m good.”
“I’d love some,” Stacy says.
“Glad to hear it. Carrot cake’s good for twins, I hear.”
“I think everything is, based on my appetite,” Stacy quips.
“Bailey? Carrot cake is one of your favorites, isn’t it?” Robert asks.
“Oh yeah, but I’m not hungry. Thanks anyway.”
“I remember you bought mine from the library bake sale last summer.” He waves a hand. “And the summer before that. I’ll get you a slice. And I’ll make another cake and squeeze it into Jason’s freezer, so it’ll be there when you two move over there.”
“Their freezer is full,” Valerie calls from the kitchen. “There’s already one or two in there. But if you run low, let us know and we’ll send more food over. I have casseroles up the wazoo in the freezer, so I can load you up.”
My face goes hot and I swallow down a lump of guilt. “You really don’t need to go to any trouble for me. I’m… I’m sorry to say this, but I’m contesting Jase’s right to claim me. I’ll explain when Val comes back.”
“Valerie!” Robert bellows. “Hurry it up!”
“Sheesh Robbie, I’ve got ears,” Val says leaning over the kitchen railing.
“Obviously, you do, honeybee. I nibbled on one of ‘em ten minutes ago and don’t think I nibbled it clear off.”
She rolls her eyes. “I’ll come down. Coffee’s on.” She appears a moment later. “You’re contesting Jason’s right to claim you? You mean beyond making him wait with that witchcraft thing?”
“Legally. I’m putting together a petition that requests that females have the ability to contest an alpha’s right to claim them before the mating. I thought I’d ask Sherry for a victim impact statement to help the cause.”
My eyes bounce to Sherry and she’s glaring at me like I’m something she scraped off her shoe. “Let me get this straight…” is how she starts.
Shit. I really should’ve thought this through.
“You’re comparing what I went through with Wyatt to Jase being stuck with urges he can’t control that means he actually thinks he wants you? How fucking insulting can you be, Bailey?”
“I’m–”
“You don’t deserve a guy like Jase,” Sherry spits, “And you never did. But especially not now that you’d compare him being compelled by Fate to claim you to Wyatt fucking Meadows.”
Jase’s parents stare at me with shock.
I grasp my temples. “That came out wrong. I’m not comparing the two. I’m saying that if a female doesn’t want to be claimed by an alpha for whatever reason, she should have a choice.”
“You’ve wanted Jason to notice you since you hit puberty,” Val says, seeming hurt. “And now that you know you two are meant to be together, you plan to do this? I know you’re upset that he was no choir boy before he identified you, and I can relate.”
“Here we go,” Robert mumbles.
Val continues. “But to go to this extreme?”
“I just believe that females should have a choice,” I explain.
“Fate knows what it’s doing with you and Jason,” Robert declares.
“Just like it knew what it was doing with me and Val. As for Sherry… I can’t say I agreed with that pairing.
We were all upset about it, but I know from firsthand experience that Fate knows what it’s doing.
Perhaps there’s a reason yet to be revealed. ”
Sherry stares at her father with daggers shooting from her eyes.
“Perhaps part of that reason is so that Sherry’s experience could give females more choices in the future,” Stacy puts in.
“I won’t have what I went through used against my brother!” Sherry declares. “No way. And Bailey, the fact that you’d come here asking shows you’re not just cruel, you’re also a stupid bitch.”
“Watch your fuckin’ mouth!” Jase is barking as he comes in.
He’s looking at me with an expression that has me sure he heard plenty.
“You don’t talk to her like that.” He points at his sister. “Ever.”
“Bailey is asking me for a victim impact statement so she can use my experience with an abusive alpha to punish you. And it’s bullshit!”