Chapter 39 Sophie
SOPHIE
The past few days have been nothing short of overwhelming—in the best way. My Alphas have spent every moment since the café incident showering me with gifts, each one thoughtful in a way that leaves my heart aching and full.
The delicate necklace around my throat, the one they were picking up the day before, sits warm against my skin, a symbol of them, of us. Ethan carved a new sign for the Everhart Inn by hand, his precision and care etched into every groove of the wood.
Tyler surprised me with a porch swing—not just any porch swing, but one big enough to fit me and my oversized Alphas when they inevitably crawl in for cuddles.
And now, a blindfold covers my eyes, heightening every other sense as Brodie’s large, warm hand leads me forward.
My boots crunch against gravel, the crisp scent of saltwater mingling with the cool morning air.
The blind excitement in my chest flutters wildly as the other two chuckle behind me, their voices low and teasing.
“You sure you trust us, Omega?” Tyler’s voice is pure mischief, his hand holding my elbow as I stumble slightly.
“That depends,” I retort, gripping Brodie’s hand tighter. “You’re not about to lead me off a cliff, are you?”
Ethan exhales, his familiar gruffness making me grin despite my nervous anticipation. “If we wanted you to fall, you’d already be at the bottom.”
I laugh, though my stomach tightens with the sensation of not knowing where I am. But even blindfolded, I feel safe between them, my body humming with our unspoken bond.
“You’ll love it, trust me,” Tyler murmurs, his breath brushing my ear before Brodie finally stops walking.
“Ready?” Brodie asks, his voice softer now, carrying something more—something weighty.
I nod, and his hands reach up, tugging the blindfold away.
My breath catches.
Before me, the harbor stretches out in glimmering blues and silver, the morning light reflecting off the gentle waves. But it’s the sleek boat tied to the dock that steals my attention. It’s beautiful, all smooth curves and polished wood, its deep navy hull rocking slightly with the tide.
“You got a boat?” I blink, my heart hammering at its sheer unexpectedness.
“Had it for years, actually,” Brodie says with a casual shrug, though there’s something in his voice—something softer, almost hesitant. “Left her in the care of the dockmaster when I wasn’t around. Usually, it’s where I stay when I’m in town.”
I turn toward him, eyes wide, completely stunned. “You have a boat?” The excitement is immediate, bubbling inside me before I can contain it. “Brodie, I love sailing. I haven’t been on the water since I was a kid!”
His lips twitch, pleased at my reaction, but he nods toward the dock. “I know,” he says. “Figured today was the perfect time to take her out.”
As we step closer, my gaze catches on something that makes my breath hitch. The sleek hull of the boat gleams in the sunlight, and there, painted in elegant script, is my name.
Oh my god.
My stomach flips, my heart lurching into my throat. “You named her after me?” My voice wavers slightly, caught between disbelief and something dangerously close to awe.
Brodie rubs the back of his neck, his ears turning pink. Brodie fucking Callahan is blushing.
“Yeah, well,” he mutters, shifting on his feet. “It seemed fitting.”
I stare at him, my chest aching with something I can’t even name, before I launch myself at him, throwing my arms around his neck. “I love it,” I murmur, pressing my face into his shoulder.
His arms tighten around me, and when I pull back, his smirk is back in place, but his eyes are soft. “Come on, sweetheart. Let’s take her out.”
The moment we board, I’m struck by how natural Brodie looks at the helm—his hands sure and steady as he starts the engine. His scent, always warm and grounding, thickens in the salty air, making my Omega stir.
I laugh, any lingering nerves melting away as Brodie skillfully navigates us out of the harbor. The wind tugs at my hair, the sea air filling my lungs with something fresh and exhilarating. The stress of the inn, of my heat, of everything— all drifts away.
Brodie steers us toward a secluded cove tucked between cliffs, hidden by towering trees. The water here is impossibly clear, almost glasslike. The sea swells are gentle in the protected cove, and the cliffs above us are lined with evergreens.
The boat rocks gently beneath us, cradled by the calm waters of the cove. Sunlight glints off the surface, turning the sea into a bed of scattered diamonds.
The cliffs towering around us create a pocket of stillness, shielding us from the wind. All I can hear is the rhythmic lapping of water against the hull and the occasional cry of a seabird overhead.
“It’s perfect,” I murmur, feeling the moment’s warmth settles in my bones.
Brodie smiles from where he stands near the wheel, anchoring us securely. “Knew you’d like it.”
Tyler pops open the cooler, rummaging inside before pulling out a wedge of cheese, some crackers, and a handful of other delicious looking things.
He sets them up on a blanket thrown over the deck and then pulls out two bottles of wine. With a suttle pop, he opens them and then immediately knocks over a bottle in the process of finding a glass.
“Shit,” he mutters, trying to right it before it spills everywhere.
I laugh, shaking my head as I grab some napkins to help. “For someone as graceful as you, you’re surprisingly uncoordinated.”
Tyler narrows his eyes at me playfully, his grin sharp. “Oh, you wanna talk about coordination? Remind me who tripped over a paint can last week and nearly took Brodie down with her?”
“That was sabotage,” I argue, pointing an accusing finger at Brodie, who raises his hands in mock innocence. “He left it right in my path.”
“I was painting, sweetheart,” Brodie says, settling onto one of the cushioned benches. “You’re the one who came barreling in, not looking where you were going.”
I huff dramatically but can’t fight the grin pulling at my lips.
Ethan, ever the problem solver, silently hands me a full glass of wine before setting down a plate of fruit between us.
His gaze meets mine as his fingers graze my wrist, and the touch lingers for just a moment longer than necessary. A shiver rolls through me, and from the way his lips twitch, I know he notices.
The four of us settle in, the boat rocking gently as we dig into the spread of food. Soft brie, cured meats, grapes so sweet they burst in my mouth.
The tang of the wine lingers on my tongue as I lean back against the cushions, letting the warmth of the afternoon seep into my skin.
Tyler, lounging beside me, reaches for a strawberry and holds it out. “Want one?”
I roll my eyes at his smug expression but still part my lips. He presses it between them slowly, his thumb grazing the corner of my mouth before he pulls away. My stomach tightens at the look in his eyes, something teasing but dark around the edges.
“You’re such a tease,” I say, voice quieter than intended.
“You love it.” He winks before popping a strawberry into his mouth.
Across from us, Brodie watches with a knowing smirk. “You two done playing with your food, or should Ethan and I give you a minute?”
Ethan snorts, leaning back on his elbows. “I’d rather eat than watch Tyler try to flirt.”
Tyler glares at him. “First of all, rude—”
I laugh, shaking my head as I tuck my feet beneath Ethan’s legs. “God, I love this.”
Brodie tilts his head. “Love what?”
I hesitate, glancing between them, my chest tightening with something soft and unfamiliar. “Just…this. The way we are together.” I gesture vaguely around us. “It’s easy. Feels so right.”
Tyler stretches out, arms behind his head, looking more relaxed than I’ve seen him in days. “I can’t believe the inspection is tomorrow,” he says. “I’m not going to lie; I half-expected something to cave in before we made it this far.”
I roll my eyes, nudging his leg with my foot. “Have a little faith. We worked our asses off.”
Brodie hums in agreement from where he sits on the railing, sipping on a beer. “She’s right. Everything that needed fixing got fixed. The inn’s solid. Feels like it’s finally ready.”
Ethan, ever the practical one, nods. “We’ve done everything we can. Now it’s just about showing them what we’ve built.”
I exhale, stretching my arms over my head, my back arching as a satisfied hum escapes me. The sun’s warmth kisses my skin, the gentle rocking of the boat lulling me into a state of pure contentment. My eyes flutter shut as I let my body relax, soaking in the perfect moment.
“Careful, sweetheart,” Brodie murmurs from where he lounges against the railing, his gaze heavy on me. “You keep stretching like that, and you’re gonna end up naked doing everything but sleeping.”
I crack an eye open, smirking. “Me? I’m just getting comfortable.”
Ethan huffs, taking a slow sip of his drink, looking at me under his eyelashes. “Sure, because that little display just now wasn’t completely intentional.”
Tyler, sprawled beside me, chuckles low in his throat. “I think our little Omega likes teasing us, boys,” he muses, his eyes dark with heat. “Stretching all pretty, making those little noises.”
His fingers trail lazily over my thigh, barely there, but enough to send a shiver down my spine.
I bite my lip, feigning innocence. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Tyler snorts. “Liar.”
Before I can protest, strong arms suddenly wrap around me, and I squeak in surprise as I’m pulled effortlessly into Tyler’s lap. His hands find my hips, holding me against him, his body warm and solid beneath me. The scent of citrus and something undeniably him surrounds me, making my head spin.
“Come here, Omega,” he murmurs, his voice rough with something more than amusement, something darker, hungrier.
He shifts me slightly, letting me feel exactly how affected he is, his hard length pressing against the heat, slick, already making me wet.
A sharp inhale escapes me, my hands flying to his shoulders as heat rushes through me. “Tyler—”
His grin is lazy, but his grip is firm. “Relax, baby,” he soothes, fingers kneading into my hips. “Just getting comfortable.”
Brodie chuckles from his spot across the deck. “Yeah, real subtle, Tyler.”
Ethan shakes his head, but I catch the way his jaw flexes, the way his gaze lingers on me a little too long.
My protest dies on my lips as Tyler tips my chin up, his mouth brushing against mine in a slow, teasing kiss. It’s unhurried, deep, stealing the very air from my lungs. His fingers tangle in my hair, keeping me close, keeping me his.
When he finally pulls back, my head is swimming.
“Now,” he murmurs, lips brushing my temple as he tucks me against his chest. “Go to sleep, sweetheart. We’ve got a big day tomorrow.”
I don’t even have the strength to argue. Wrapped up in his warmth, surrounded by the quiet lull of the water and the steady presence of my Alphas, I let my eyes drift shut.
Tomorrow can wait.
For now, I am right where I belong.