32. Avery
Avery
“ T he council will see you now,” Mary said formally, though a smile played on her lips as she gestured for me to enter. She quickly connected my laptop to the projector and gave me an encouraging smile before disappearing and closing the doors behind her.
Mayor Adams was practically beaming. “You know, I’ve seen you around town talking to our small businesses. I’ve heard nothing but good things from everyone.”
I grinned at the news. Knowing this work was having an impact was everything to me.
“It’s honestly been so refreshing. Everyone has been really nice and welcoming. There have been a few who don’t like being on camera, so we’ve made some adjustments to make it a little less stressful for them. But I’ve captured some amazing footage, and I have several videos ready to show you if you’d like to see the end results. I’ve also mocked up the website and it’s waiting for your approval.”
“I’d definitely like to see that,” one of the councilmen said. He was the same man who had been skeptical the first time I was here.
“Of course,” I replied, not skipping a beat as I pulled up the mock website. The imagery was gorgeous—I had edited every photograph and color-matched them so it all looked cohesive. The font was bold and easy to read, and the site was much easier to navigate than the current one.
“As you can see, each business that I’ve featured so far has its own button. So if someone is looking for the hardware store, for example, they would just click that, and it would take them right to the interview I did with Greg, along with photos of the shop and a little synopsis page that features him.”
“We’ve waited a few weeks for all this. How many businesses have you managed to get in that time?”
I swear, everything the council asked me, aside from Mayor Adams, was rude and judgmental. It was like they couldn’t believe that an omega like me could accomplish anything of this magnitude.
“Well, I’ve gotten several,” I said, listing off all the businesses one by one, along with my plans for the rest.
I waited for several beats to see if anyone would protest, question, or mock me. The best I got was a grunt. Mayor Adams shook his head and motioned for me to continue. He was just as exasperated with them as I was at this point.
“Now, on the main website,” I said, switching gears, “I have a walking tour of the town. This is probably my favorite thing we’ve done so far. It really showcases the beauty of downtown, and I picked the right time of day so there are people in the shots but not overwhelmingly so. I’ll play it for you now?”
The room fell silent as I hit play. Soft music accompanied the footage, giving it an even cozier aesthetic. Occasionally, text appeared on the screen, welcoming viewers to Rockwood Valley and highlighting the destinations from Main Street to the Lakeside and around to some of our town’s best features. It would be our longest video and it took days to perfect, but I was damn proud of it.
Anyone who thought social media management was easy, was insane. It was a constant game of algorithms, trends, and posting at just the right time.
When it ended, Mayor Adams chuckled and looked at his comrades. “I don’t think there’s a thing we can say negatively about what she’s accomplished so far. It’s a hell of a lot more than we’ve managed in years of running this town.”
Someone grunted but offered no words. Mayor Adams bit back a smug smile and turned to me again.
“You’ve definitely earned your paycheck, Avery. I’m damn proud of what you’ve accomplished here, and we’re really lucky to have you on our team.”
“Thank you,” I said but was interrupted by another councilman, his eyes scrunched behind his bifocals as he stared me down.
“Rumor has it that you’ve been doing the same for Whitaker Brews. What’s the return on investment looking like there?”
“We’ve increased profits already. It’s still new but if it continues, we’ll be able to hire more staff in a month or two,” I said, not giving away the specifics because they didn’t need to know every detail. They’d just find another reason to doubt me despite the data.
“Good,” was all he said, everyone else looking down at their notes and not at me. Mayor Adams glanced up, his smile half-apologetic.
“Thank you for the update, keep up the good work, Avery,” he offered. It was essentially a dismissal, so I packed up my things, nodded respectfully at the others, and left.
I may not have completely won over the old alphas that ran the council, but I had impressed them, whether they wanted to admit it or not. I kept that high all the way to Whitaker Brews.
My meeting was late enough that the bar had just opened when I arrived. It was still quiet, but it usually was just a few locals for the first hour or two.
Sidney was sitting at the bar, joking around with Maverick and Nash. Cameron walked in with a fresh crate of beer bottles ready to be stocked.
When they heard the click of my heels on the floor approaching, Sidney turned then immediately gave me a side-eye.
“Oh look, it’s my best friend who ghosted me for all this work she’s doing and the pack she found.”
I opened my mouth to say something, but she burst into laughter.
“I’m just kidding. I get it. However, I demand a girls’ night.”
“How about tonight?” I said, relieved that she wasn’t actually angry. I’d been fairly low contact for years, and now that I was back I’d buried myself in distractions. “I’m free, and the guys will understand.”
“Bet,” she said excitedly. “I’m telling the girls. You’re good with Grace and Hailey, right?” she questioned.
“Definitely,” I agreed as I put my bags behind the bar.
“How did it go?” Nash asked.
I sighed. “Mayor Adams is still firmly on my side but it feels like I’m fighting for respect in those meetings. The last question I got was if I was making a difference here. They’re looking for anything to prove I’m just wasting their time.”
“We’ve been slammed the last few nights,” Maverick said with a growl. “Things generally pick up around seven and then we stay packed throughout the night.”
“I told them that we’ve seen an increase and if it kept up we’d have to hire more help. That shut them up,” I said. “I don’t need their approval, just the paycheck. I know what I’ve done is worth it.”
“Everyone’s loving the live videos,” Nash agreed. “We’ve been going live almost every night because it helps pass the time. One of us can always pop in, answer a few questions, and otherwise, we just keep working.”
“If it keeps up, we’re definitely going to have to hire some new staff like you said,” Maverick admitted almost reluctantly. He would be the hardest to convince he needed to take a few steps back.
We hadn’t been able to hire anyone because we couldn’t afford it, but having a few bartenders to take over and letting the guys focus on the social media page I created and the admin work was the obvious end goal.
They deserved to have time to find packs and live their lives. They’ve stepped up all these years and kept me and Mama afloat. Now it was their turn.
“That’s amazing,” was all I could manage, my voice catching. Cameron shook his head at me.
“You’ve always been sappy, Avery,” he accused.
I ignored the teasing. It felt like we were truly at a turning point, reaching the final top of the mountain and seeing everything we had accomplished. I spent weeks dedicating every free moment that I wasn’t with my pack to making sure these platforms took off. It was a full-time job in itself—posting, responding to comments, watching trends, making notes. I loved it, and this was only the beginning.
Hopefully when they saw the changes in our crowd, other businesses would reach out wanting help, too. Plus, if Maverick and the guys truly wanted to start up the Artisan Fair, then I could help with the PR team for that as well.
There were so many possibilities from here, though Whitaker Brews was going to be the top for me. The better it did, the better life we could make for Mama and for each other.
“Don’t you have plans? Please keep them before you cry,” Cameron teased as he pulled me in for a hug. “You deserve a break, you’ve been working too hard. You’re freaking Mama out.”
“Shut up,” I laughed.
Nash walked past, adding in his two cents. “She has been telling us to keep an eye on you.”
It was weird having all this attention on me again, but I couldn’t fault them for looking out for me like they always had. Not when I was essentially doing the same.
“I’d better text the pack to let them know my plans,” I said, turning to Sidney. “What are we doing for girls’ night?”
“Mariana down at her pottery shop is doing a pottery and wine night.”
“You had me at wine,” I teased. “Sounds perfect.”
It was better than a crowded club where we’d have to shout to hear each other over the music.
“Right? I’m going to make a reservation and get a hold of the girls. You tell your pack. Go team!” She clapped her hands before diving back into her phone.
I pulled mine out to text the guys, not wanting to make them wait for me.
Avery: I know I’ve been gone all day, but Sidney wants a girls’ night. There’s a wine and pottery night in town we’re going to go to.
Cohen: You don’t have to justify it, we just appreciate the heads-up.
Avery: Working on it. How’s Glenn?
Ford: Smooth subject change.
Avery: Shut up, Ford.
I bit back a laugh at the teasing. Now that we’d all settled into our new normal, we teased each other more, laughed easier, and the awkward moments were fewer and farther in between. Moving in would come after our weekend out, but for now, I was content.
Ford: Ouch.
Cohen: Behave, you two. Glenn is good. He actually got good news from his lawyer that she hadn’t been able to access his funds… though she tried. Evil bitch.
Avery: Glad she didn’t clean his accounts out.
Cohen: He’s looking at real estate in town today, so we were going to be late for dinner anyway.
Arden: I’m setting up for our interviewers tomorrow, so I’ll be late, too.
Mason: I’ve got a job lead. I’ll be out until after dinner.
Ford: Aw, I’m all alone.
Cohen: I’ll come keep you company later.
Ford: Promises, promises.
“It looks like your good doctor is letting Hailey go early. Everybody will be here in about twenty minutes. Any preference on dinner?”
“I’m up for whatever,” I admitted. “I just like food.”
“Same, girl.” She lifted her glass in a one person toast in true Sidney fashion. “We’ll just hit the diner so we have plenty of food in our stomachs before wine time.”
“If anyone needs a ride, call us,” Maverick said, his voice hard as he gave each of us a stern look to drive the point home.
“Yes, Dad,” I teased. He rolled his eyes, but I could see the satisfaction there. Maverick had taken it upon himself to make sure we were all protected, and he was still doing it even though I had a pack now. I was glad that at least some things wouldn’t change.
“Oh shit,” I cursed. In all the chaos, I had forgotten to send Mama the profile pictures I’d taken. Thankfully, I had my laptop with me still. I ducked behind the bar to retrieve it. Sidney moved closer to see the issue then whistled at the pictures on my screen.
“Wait, wait. You’re going to need to give me the tea. What the hell is going on? What is this?”
“Mama is finally going on a date,” I said with a grin. “She’s putting herself out there, and I told her I’d take some pictures. Look how gorgeous she looks.”
“She really does,” Sidney agreed. “This one is gorgeous.” She tapped the one I took in the archway, the vines and flowers providing a backdrop as Mom’s eyes looked off into the distance.
She looked serene, calm, and of course, gorgeous. Sidney was right about that.
“Sending them over to Mama now,” I said as I popped up an email and sent her a quick text.
Avery: Incoming profile pictures. Sidney said you should choose the one in the archway.
Mama: Thank you. I’ve got the profile set up already. I might need a glass of wine or six before hitting send.
Avery: I’m going to a wine and pottery night with the girls. You should come! We’re going to grab dinner at the diner first.
Mama: You know what… count me in.
I was shocked she agreed, but so happy she was leaving Whitaker Ranch. She needed more of a social life.
“Mom’s going to join us,” I said to Sidney. Her eyes lit up and she did a little dance on her barstool.
“Hell yeah! Another omega for girls’ night. Mama Whitaker is the best. They’re going to love her.”
“She said she’s going to need a glass of wine or six to get her to actually post her profile, so we need to encourage her tonight.”
“I feel like I should be worried,” Maverick said with a groan. When I looked up at him he was nervously wiping off the bar.
“Don’t worry, Mav. I’ll keep them all safe,” Sidney promised, though that didn’t make him look any less worried.
“She needs this,” I reminded him. He nodded, not arguing, and that was enough for me. I shut my laptop and packed up my stuff.
Sidney hopped off the bar stool as soon as I finished. She hooked her arm in mine and dragged me outside.
“Later, Whitakers!” she called out.
There were a few answers, but I barely heard them over the music that had started picking up. The crowd was beginning to come in, so we picked the perfect time to leave.
We were the first at the diner, choosing the corner booth that would fit us all. Hailey was next, followed by Grace, and finally, Mom.
“Guys, this is my mom. She’s joining us tonight for pottery and wine, and I’m trying to get her to start her dating profile.”
“Oh my gosh, aren’t they so stressful?” Grace said with a little whine. “I put myself on one through PackVlog, and I am terrified .”
“Maybe we’ll both be brave enough after a few bottles of wine.”
“Bottles? I thought you said glasses,” I joked. Mama shrugged, but her grin was wide. It had been too long since I’d seen her this happy. I definitely made the right choice in inviting her. She might be older than all of us, but she was fitting right in.
“So, do we call you Mama Whitaker, or do you have a different name?” Hailey asked.
“Lucy,” Mama answered, returning the friendly smile Hailey offered.
By the time we all had greasy burgers and fries in front of us, I couldn’t understand why I hadn’t done this sooner. Part of being independent and keeping stability in my life with a pack was staying close to my family, but also close to my friends.
I’d let the others isolate me, but my mates had no intention of doing that. In fact, they encouraged me to not lose myself in work.
This was going to be the first of many girls’ nights.
“So, what kind of packs are we looking for, ladies?” Sidney asked, directing the question to both Grace and Mom.
Grace chewed on her bottom lip as she thought it over. “Honestly, I’m not super picky. I just want to find my scent matches and be treated like a princess. If we’re being honest, I’m definitely one of those omegas who craves a fluffy nest and guys who are fully dedicated.”
“That’s how my pack was,” Mama said, her smile nostalgic but not sad, as if she was simply remembering how amazing they were. We couldn’t even mention them growing up, but it started to get easier to think about them as each year passed. It seemed the same was true for Mom.
She wasn’t going to forget them or move on completely, but they would want her taken care of.
“And you, Lucy?” Hailey asked. “Are you looking for the pampered queen life this time around?”
“Oh god, no,” Mama said. “I’m not even sure if I’m looking for a full pack this time or just an alpha. I kind of want to travel, take care of my garden, and enjoy time with my babies—especially when they give me grandbabies,” she said, narrowing her eyes at me to make it clear she expected some in the future.
I laughed it off, but I couldn’t deny that the idea of having a big family sounded amazing. Growing up with my siblings, they drove me crazy, but I loved them, and we took care of each other. I wanted my kids to have that, too.
“Oh shit, we’re going to be late,” Sidney gasped. She waved over the waiter and handed over a card. “I’ve got dinner.”
It was a flurry of paying and throwing down cash for tips before rushing over to pottery night.
Mariana’s eyes lit up as we walked in. “I’m so happy you guys are here. I was so worried it’d be another empty room.”
“We’re excited to try this out,” I reassured her.
“This is going to be so much fun,” Hailey said before turning to me. “You should take some pictures. You’re doing the town tour thing, right?”
“Oh, she already interviewed me,” Mariana waved her off, but I was already pulling out my phone.
“I don’t have my professional camera, but she’s right. I’m going to take some pictures because this would be just the thing we want to add to the events page.”
“Oh, well, in that case, I plan to do these every Thursday night.”
“Perfect,” I said. The pics would have to wait until everybody was settled. Right now, it was an empty room, and that wasn’t exactly going to bring in a crowd.
Mariana went through the rules before showing us the wine selection. Once we all had a glass of wine in front of us and our pottery of choice, she started distributing the paints.
I chose a cute little mushroom mug, the top of the mushroom was a lid to keep your coffee warm.
She turned on some music because we were all strangely quiet as we dove in, but by the time the second glass was poured, our focus was a lot less intense and the conversation picked up again.
“Oh, that’s beautiful,” my mama gushed at mine. I glanced over to see her vase, which had vines wrapping around it. She’d painted them a gorgeous shade of dark green, and the base was a pearly white. I wasn’t sure what it would look like after Mariana fired them in the kiln, but it was gorgeous already.
I nearly burst into laughter when I looked over at Sidney’s. She had chosen a coffee mug, too. It was a cute little grumpy bear sitting in the middle of the mug, with a tree trunk as the handle. Instead of the normal colors, she painted it in every color imaginable, so it looked like a rainbow forest.
At least she had the skills to make it look amazing.
“Honestly, Sidney, I love it,” I told her. Sidney grinned at me before tipping her glass back and taking a large gulp of wine. I loved that my best friend was the ‘give no fucks’ type. If I was an overthinker, she was impulsive and liked to live in the moment. She was unapologetically herself and that hadn’t changed as we got older. When she did find a pack, they would be lucky to have an omega like her.
“Alright, I think that’s enough wine to build some courage,” she said. “Did we start on those profiles, ladies?” She gave my mama and Grace a look that said she wasn’t letting it go this time.
Grace buried her face in her hands and groaned. “Are you really going to make us do this?”
“Hell yes, I am,” Sidney cheered. “Let’s see it, ladies.”
Mama pulled out her phone and pulled up her profile. Everything was already set including the new pictures. She just needed to hit the button to publish it.
“I’ll count down,” Sidney said, standing up. “One thousand, Nine hundred and ninety-nine.” Of course, she dissolved into laughter after that. “Just kidding. Ten, nine...”
Mama and Grace shifted in their seats before sharing a look. Both of them, at the same time, slammed their fingers down on the publish button. Grace practically threw hers across the room while Mama just turned hers upside down, as if not seeing it would make it less stressful.
“We need more wine in here,” my mama declared. Of course, Mariana chuckled and came over, refilling the wine and gushing over our art pieces.
I wondered if they would even remember starting these profiles come morning.