Chapter 21
Iwas still stressed from everything last night but I wasn't going to let it stop me from living my life. But even I could admit how nice it was to have them willing to come home with me and rush to me when I needed them.
Cy checked every nook and cranny before he allowed me to shower and get dressed. Just having him here helped calm my nerves.
Until I thought about them leaving me for practice and the game, at least.
I did my best to not dwell on that. It just made me feel needy and I always promised myself I wouldn’t be a needy omega.
Plus, we had the bond and it was open wide right now.
It took me about fifteen minutes to shower and find a cute work outfit. I just pulled my long, red hair up into a ponytail and left the makeup off. This was a natural day and my guys wanted me either way. I loved that about them, it felt like I could truly be myself.
"Ready?" Cy asked, walking over and pulling me close to him. They were always doing that, touching me in small ways, pulling me close every chance they got. I was already getting spoiled.
"No, but let's go," I answered honestly.
"We really can have a ditch day and stay with you," he said, his smile falling away as his brown eyes studied me.
"As much as I'd love that, I won't be the reason that the fans revolt because you missed the game," I reminded him. “Plus, this is real life. We can’t hide away here at the lake forever. At some point we have to establish our new normal. You have your job, I have mine.”
"You are the most important person to us, omega. I wouldn't forgive myself if something happened to you without us there," he said into my neck as he buried his face there, breathing me in.
"Ditto, but I won't live in fear, either," I told him. "Henry is just an asshole that got beat down by two grannies. If they can take him, so can I. It was honestly kind of empowering to realize."
"We are going to get that restraining order paperwork going. I talked to the assistant coach already and the cameras are going in. That will help some," he promised. “Hell, we’ll put up wanted posters in town so all of Willow Lake knows what a creep he is.”
I snorted. “The granny brigade would be happy to patrol the streets.”
He laughed again, his frown falling away. Good. It was more natural this way. “I can already picture them, big muumuus, purses in hand stuffed with rocks, canes more for beating than walking.”
"Are you two naked without us?" Griff called out as he walked inside.
"And if we are?" Cy shouted back.
"We'll join," Jackson added as he poked his head in and his face fell in disappointment. "You got my hopes up."
Dani shook her head. “We were discussing a granny militia, actually.”
“Don’t let them hear,” Jackson countered, though he still looked disappointed, a small pout on his lips.
"Aww, Jackson. There will be time for that tonight," I promised as Cy and I broke apart and headed into the living room. "Do you guys have time to walk me to the bookstore? I think the fresh air is just what I need."
"Of course, we have time. They can't start camp without us," Griff reminded me, handing over my phone and opening the front door.
"Thank you," I told him as we headed out into the warm sunlight. Maybe tomorrow we could spend some time just hanging out by the lake. "What do you think about a cookout with Bea and Taryn’s family tomorrow?"
"Whatever you want, princess," Jackson said as the other two agreed.
The walk was nice. A soft breeze was blowing, the sun was rising and being this close to them was perfect.
I couldn’t imagine ever being alone again. They were part of me now.
We said our goodbyes outside so my friends didn’t have to witness the sappy moment. Not one of us truly wanted to part ways but we couldn’t stop living our lives because one asshole threatened me.
Taryn and Bea were already waiting inside, Mathias sitting in the corner. There wasn’t tension waiting for me, which was nice.
“Sorry about last night, guys,” I started but Bea’s head snapped up quick enough my voice cut off.
“Don’t you dare apologize for that twisted little boy,” Bea growled. “Plus, security systems are always a good idea.”
“I agree,” Mathias tacked on. “We’re all family here. We protect each other. Don’t overthink it, Dani.”
“Thanks, Mathias,” I said. It was nice to know they viewed us as family. I felt the same way about them.
It was also nice that none of our packs were the jealous type. There was no attraction to anyone but my men and I knew Taryn felt the same way.
“So, it’s finally the weekend tomorrow,” I said as I tucked my purse under the counter. “I was thinking maybe a cookout by the lake? My place?”
“Count us in. It’s going to be hot and I’m dying to try out this new bikini I got,” Bea said. “Maybe I’ll snag me a pack.”
“Holt’s parents all but demanded to babysit for us, so we’re kid free. We could definitely come,” Taryn said, her face lighting up. “I hate being away, but they’d be close, and I could use some fun.”
“Then it’s settled,” I said as I grabbed the scanner to log the new books we got in. “I’ll snag some steak and chicken for the grill.”
“We’ll all handle sides,” Taryn said while Bea nodded along.
They started to walk away but I stopped them.
“I have to leave a little early tonight. The guys have a game and I’ve got a VIP seat with my name on it,” I said quickly.
Taryn nodded, tapping her chin.
“We might need to hire someone to help run the counter full time now that our lives are getting a bit busier,” she said.
I winced, but she held up a hand. “I mean that in the sense that we all are busy. We threw ourselves into this, but having help a few times a week would be nice. Otherwise, how will we marry Bea off? Plus, I want to actually spend time with my pack, not just on weekends. We could even rotate so one of us is always here.”
“No marrying me off, asshole,” Bea snorted, throwing a wadded up paper at Taryn.
Taryn was right. It was easy to spend every second in my shop before them. Now, she’s bringing her babies constantly and I’m missing games. We’re more than busy enough to hire some afternoon help, especially during baseball season.
Not to mention, profits were definitely doing well. Between videos, our online store, and the book boxes, we were golden.
“Okay, you might be right,” I agreed. “Maybe another part-timer besides Megan at first to get through the busier seasons.”
“Plus, if I have to stay home with a sick kiddo or you miss for something, I want our bases covered. I refuse to put all that on Bea,” Taryn said, glaring at Bea to make sure she wasn’t going to protest.
“Don’t give me that attitude! I agree with you,” Bea said. “It’s still our shop, and if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out. Plus, imagine. We can have brunch and sip mimosas by the lake and live our best omega lives.”
“Hell, yeah,” I agreed. “I’ve been drowning in guilt because I hate being away from them for long but I obviously love the store.”
“We can also work the schedule around things. You won’t be gone during mornings as often and they're sometimes harder for me,” Taryn pointed out.
“Part of life is change, but I hate it,” I admitted with a groan.
“Even if that change includes a hot pack?” Bea asked as she started putting away a few books that were scattered around from last night.
“Okay, you’re right,” I admitted. “They do make it worth it.”
Mathias snorted from the corner but didn’t offer anything else. I’m sure he was happy we were willing to consider it. They had to hate having Taryn and the babies here as often as we were open.
The bell dinged and I turned to greet a customer, but it was a delivery guy. He walked in with a big box in hand, reading the label before greeting us.
“Hey, I’m looking for Dani Nixon.”
“Oh, taking their name already?” Bea teased as my cheeks flamed. I shot a glare over my shoulder as I walked over.
“That’s me,” I said.
“Here, it’s kind of heavy, let me leave it on the counter,” he offered before handing over a digital pad for me to sign. I scrawled my name across, biting back a grin at adding Nixon behind my name.
God, I had quickly turned into a sappy omega.
I wasn’t even mad about it.
Could you blame me?
Cy, Griff, and Jackson were every omega’s dream. Sweet, caring, sexy as sin, and successful. They had dreams, goals, and motivation. That right there was a win.
I didn’t need a pack to provide for me, I could handle that. I wanted a pack that had the same ambitions and was willing to let me keep my independence while also treating me like I deserved.
They did that and so much more.
The guy gave a nod before leaving quickly. Bea was already there with scissors, helping me cut away the tape before I opened it.
Jerseys. So many of them. And a stack of tickets on top with a note.
My sweet peach,
We thought you might want your friends in the box with you tonight. There’s jerseys and tickets for everyone. Yours is in the bag, a little extra special one from us. Also, I hired in catering for the box. You deserve a fun night.
Love,
Your Dani obsessed Pack
“Shut up, how cute are they?!” Bea squealed as she sat aside the tickets and dug into the jerseys. There were names taped to each one, distinguishing who was who, with a mix of the team’s names.
Mine was in the bag like he said. I picked it up and opened it slowly, breathing in the blast of their combined scents that hit me. They had to have rubbed it all over their bare skin and I was trying my best not to melt right here and now.
My body heated, my omega perking up at the scent alone.
Down, girl. We have until tonight before we can have them like that.
“So, who’s in?” Bea asked, tossing two tiny onesie jerseys over to Taryn.
Taryn held them up, glancing at me. “These are so cute,” she gushed. “Ugh, how can we say no, now?!”
“I’ll call the pack,” Mathias promised. “You had me at free food.”
I snorted. “I have a feeling that’ll get the others in, too.”
“Maybe Holt’s mom can take the kiddos early. She’s been begging but I’ve been too reluctant to pull the trigger,” Taryn said, worrying her lip between her teeth.
“She’d be excited,” Mathias reassured her. “And if you change your mind, or it’s too much, we can head back for them.”
“Okay,” she said, giving him that dopey smile that said they were true soul mates.
I no longer felt jealousy, only happiness that I got to experience the same thing. Maybe we’d have babies of our own once things settled.
For now I had to get through this next heat. It was only a few weeks away and we hadn’t really talked about it yet.
I tucked the jersey back in the bag to preserve the scents for tonight.
Now, I just had to get through the work day.
Easier said than done when I was this excited to see my guys and have a fun night where we wouldn’t have to worry about Henry.