Chapter 26 Unexpected Gifts #2
Oh my god. OH MY GOD. This is from the live stream.
It has to be. People found me from that absolute chaos with Nash teasing me and the moose encounter and Grayson appearing shirtless on a white horse like some kind of romance novel cover and Theo ending it abruptly.
They watched that mess and thought 'yes, I want to see more of whatever this is' and hit the follow button.
Over a thousand people. Over a thousand actual human beings decided I was worth following. That my content was entertaining enough to warrant seeing more. That I might actually have something valuable to offer.
"I..." My voice comes out small and shocked and breathless. "I just did a live stream today. This morning. I'm trying to build up my account for the holidays. Document small-town Christmas traditions and festivities across the region."
River grins.
"That's a brilliant strategy. You should absolutely make it a Christmas series—like, brand it properly with a catchy name and consistent posting schedule.
Holiday content does exceptionally well in the social media industry, especially if you're hitting multiple platforms. The algorithm loves seasonal content. "
I nod eagerly, ideas already spinning in my head. "I can definitely look into that. Create a proper series structure."
"Do you have a laptop for editing?" River asks, moving toward the laptop display section.
"Editing on your phone is fine for quick clips, but if you want to create higher-quality content—multiple camera angles, better transitions, color correction, audio mixing—you'll want a proper computer.
You can also diversify your content across different channels or TikTok accounts, create different niches.
It's a smart way to build multiple income streams."
He gestures to a sleek silver MacBook on display. "Editing on a laptop is significantly faster than mobile. What takes thirty minutes on a phone takes five minutes on a proper machine. If you're serious about going full-time with content creation, the time savings alone justify the investment."
I bite my lip, considering. "I have been thinking about it.
And I guess if I did that—focused on being full-time with content creation and maybe starting that baking business we talked about—I wouldn't have to juggle so many random side gigs for money in Oakridge.
I could actually try to monetize properly, maybe get brand deals, affiliate partnerships. "
Theo has been standing beside me this whole time, listening quietly. His olive-green eyes are focused and attentive.
Then Nash walks up to us from where he'd been examining tablet displays, and says casually, like he's ordering coffee, "Can we get one of the newest iPhones in whatever color she wants, and the latest MacBook? Highest storage capacity for both."
My eyes widen so much I'm surprised they don't fall out of my head.
"Wait, wait, wait," I sputter, turning to look at Nash with panic rising in my chest. "Y-you can't buy me a phone AND a laptop! No! You can't buy either! That's way too much! That's—"
"Why not?" Nash asks simply, tilting his head like my protest genuinely confuses him.
I gawk at him, mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. "Because—because it's expensive! Really expensive! Both together would be like three thousand dollars or more! That's insane!"
Theo speaks up calmly from beside me, his voice steady and matter-of-fact.
"You're our Omega. We want you to have the tools to dive into your hobbies properly and build something meaningful.
You're empowering other Omegas who watch your content and get inspiration from seeing you share your journey and your gifts.
Whatever equipment you think will help you succeed, whatever will make the learning curve smoother—throw it in. "
He looks at River.
"Let us know if you don't take American Express. We can get cash if that's more convenient for you."
I look between both of them with growing desperation, my heart racing.
"But what if I'm a slow learner? What if I can't figure out the editing software and all the complicated features?
What if I waste all this money—your money—on expensive equipment I don't know how to use properly and it just sits there collecting dust?
Why don't you just buy the phone for now and I can get the laptop later when I'm absolutely sure I can use it?
When I've proven I can actually do this? "
Please just agree. Please just let me take this one step at a time. Please don't invest so much in me when I might fail. I can't handle disappointing them. I can't handle wasting their resources.
Both Alphas shake their heads in perfect, synchronized motion. Like they rehearsed it. Like they're a unified front that won't be swayed by my anxiety or self-doubt.
Then, in a move that makes my jaw literally drop open and my eyes go wide with shock, they both reach into their back pockets and pull out their wallets simultaneously. They flip them open with practiced ease.
And then they throw their American Express cards onto the glass counter.
Not place. Not hand over politely. Throw.
The cards land with decisive clicks against the pristine glass surface—one, two—the sound crisp and final.
One card is matte black metal that looks like it weighs a ton—Theo's, engraved with his name in silver lettering.
One is platinum silver metal that gleams under the shop lights—Nash's, equally impressive.
Both look ridiculously expensive, the kind of cards that probably have credit limits that could buy small cars or finance entire vacations to Europe.
They just... threw their cards. Like it's nothing. Like this is completely normal behavior for them. Like buying thousands of dollars worth of electronics is as casual as ordering coffee.
"Not a chance, Sugarplum," they say in perfect unison, their voices overlapping in a way that suggests they definitely coordinated this.
Sugarplum. Theo used the nickname. Theo—grumpy, serious, military Theo—just called me Sugarplum in a tech shop in front of a stranger and acted like it was the most natural thing in the world. My brain is completely short-circuiting.
River looks between the cards and us with an amused, knowing smile spreading across his face. "Well then! Looks like we have some decisive shoppers. Let me show you the absolute best options we have available in stock right now."
He disappears through a door marked 'Staff Only' at the back of the shop and returns moments later carrying a sleek white box that makes my heart skip several beats.
Even from across the shop, I can see the Apple logo on the side.
"This," River announces with obvious excitement and pride in his voice, placing the box carefully on the counter between us, "is the brand new iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Latest release from Apple. Top of the line.
It comes in several gorgeous colors, but based on your aesthetic and social media vibe, I think you might particularly love this one. "
He opens the box with careful, reverent movements—the way someone handles something precious and expensive—and my breath catches painfully in my throat.
It's pink.
Not hot pink or baby pink or Barbie pink, but this absolutely gorgeous rose gold pink that catches the overhead lights and seems to shimmer like it has its own internal glow. It's elegant and sophisticated and somehow still fun and youthful.
It's the most beautiful phone I've ever seen in my entire life. It looks like something a princess would own. Something from a luxury boutique in Paris or Milan. Not something I could ever deserve or afford.
"This specific model isn't officially going on sale until next week," River explains, his voice dropping slightly like he's sharing insider information, a secret between friends.
"Apple is doing a controlled early release to select retailers and we're one of them.
But since you're an influencer—and a rapidly growing one at that based on what I just saw on your profile—I'm actually authorized to sell it to you early as part of our creator preview program.
Apple specifically wants content creators showing off the new features and capabilities before the general public release.
Creates buzz, generates interest, builds anticipation. "
He smiles warmly, genuinely, like he's excited to help me succeed.
"All I ask in return is that if you could give TechSavvy a shoutout in your content at some point—mention us as an authentic, reliable shop in Millbrook that carries genuine products and treats creators well—that would be more than enough compensation for the early access privilege. Fair trade?"
I nod so quickly I probably look ridiculous, like a bobblehead doll. "Yes! Absolutely! I can definitely do that! I'll make sure to tag you and everything!"
I reach out hesitantly, almost afraid to touch something so beautiful and expensive, and pick up the phone with both hands like it's made of glass.
It sits perfectly in my palms. The weight feels exactly right—substantial enough to feel quality but not heavy.
The size is manageable even for my smaller hands.
The camera array on the back looks incredibly professional with three lenses and what appears to be some kind of advanced sensor system.
"I've never had a new phone," I admit quietly, my voice barely above a whisper, emotion making my throat tight.
"Not once in my entire life. Always bought refurbished ones from sketchy sellers online or accepted hand-me-downs from people who were upgrading.
Never something fresh out of the box like this.
Never something that was mine from the very beginning. "
River 's expression softens with genuine understanding and kindness.