Chapter 16
Drew
I ’d moved my truck beside Grace’s small car, my stuff loaded in the back, and I was leaning against the front while I waited for her.
She deserved to have a moment with her pack, the one I wanted to become a part of. It wasn’t going to happen by me forcing my way into a dynamic I hadn’t earned a place in yet.
However, while they were running off to the city to wrap up their lives, I had every intention of following her to Rockwood Valley.
Letting her slip out of my life again was not an option.
When Grace stepped out of the front door, her men around her and luggage in their hands, I stood up.
She smiled over at me, a soft, gentle ghost of one that hinted at uncertainty and the desperate need for reassurance.
That was something I could only offer with actions and I hoped this wasn’t too much.
“Hey, did you come to say goodbye?”
“Actually, I wanted to see if you wanted company for the long ride back. I can hire a car service to bring yours back so we can ride together?”
God, I sounded like such a dork.
I didn’t dwell on it because the hope in her eyes was enough for me to know I was being just the right amount of extra.
“Actually, that would be amazing. The drive was torture and honestly I’m a hot mess today,” she admitted, her shoulders sagging a bit before digging into her little pink purse and handing over her keys. “Just give me a few.”
I nodded, walking around the truck to give them another moment while I called up the guys I’d spoken to. They were already on their way and I hurried inside to leave the keys at the front desk.
When I made it back out, Grace was sniffling as they buckled her into the front of my truck.
“Take care of her,” Beck warned me as he looked over, eyes not quite hostile, but full of authority.
“With my life,” I said easily. Now that I’d scented her, saw her again, I knew I’d never let anything happen to her.
It was the exact reason I was driving her back.
“We’ll call you when we land,” Spencer promised as they each gave her a kiss and closed the door.
I turned the key in the ignition and buckled in, giving her a moment to breathe before pulling away.
Her sniffles grew stronger and I couldn’t do nothing, so I offered her my hand. She didn’t hesitate to slip it into mine.
“You’re not angry I’m crying over other men?”
I shook my head. “You’re crying over our pack, Gracie.”
She let out a watery laugh. “I haven’t heard that in a long time.”
The mood grew somber again, tension rising between us and I worried she’d pull her hand away.
“I’m sorry I didn’t follow you out of Rockwood Valley.” Her voice was so quiet and the words unexpected it took me a second to respond.
“Gracie, I think we both have to take a hard look at that dynamic. I loved you and I never stopped, but I don’t think either one of us was willing to compromise and that tells you that it wasn’t the right timing.
I needed to leave, to have my career. Now, I’m more than ready to spend my life getting to know you all over again and finding new things I love about you. ”
Her voice wavered again as she answered. “What was your plan before seeing me again?”
“Finding you,” I admitted, not wanting to hide it. “I knew your sister, knew you’d be there, and I needed to see you. Finding out we were actually scent matched didn’t change my intentions of seeing if there was still a spark between us.”
Her breath caught. “Really?”
I pulled over on the side of the long road, putting my truck in park and turning her way.
“My time playing football was amazing, but I’ve been alone a long time, Gracie. I’ve wanted nothing more than to turn around and drive home for years. Now that I’m here, nothing could take me away.”
I put every ounce of conviction I could into my tone.
“You’ve always been my end game, Gracie, even when I didn’t realize it myself. Those first years away from you were hard. I buried myself in workout routines and games. I’ve lived that life and honestly, I wouldn’t go back if I could.”
Now she was crying again, her fingers frantically yanking at her seatbelt as I hurriedly pulled over.
Just as I threw it in park, she was free.
Then she was crawling into my lap, her cheek nuzzling against mine, scent marking me.
My alpha roared inside me, a purr rumbling out for his sweet omega, and every instinct I had was riding on me to prove to her that I was never walking away again.
Then she was blinking up at me with those gorgeous baby blues and I couldn’t hold back. My lips slanted over hers and she met me with the same hunger, years of pain and frustration coming out in a kiss that was as bruising as it was healing.
She tasted so sweet, smelled so fucking perfect. My cock was painfully hard but I ignored it, my fingers squeezing her hips gently as I teased my tongue into her mouth.
Gracie always thought she was timid and sweet, but I knew better. I’d seen her fire plenty of times, so this whole event was no surprise. Now, kissing me and telling me without words how much she needed me to stay, I saw it again.
I was gone for this girl. Just like I had been since I turned seventeen.
She pulled away then, her forehead resting against my chest as her chest heaved. I did the same, praying she didn't wiggle in my lap so I wouldn’t embarrass myself.
I rested my chin on her head gently, soaking in the feel of my omega finally being in my arms.
“This drive will take even longer if I don’t get back in my seat,” she whispered, breaking the silence. “Just tell me this is real, first.”
“It’s real, Gracie. You’re finally mine.”
“Yours,” she agreed on a happy sigh.
Then she was crawling back over to her seat. I gave a silent thank you to past me for buying a bench seat as I slid her back in the middle and buckled her in. Her laughter was light now and I couldn't help but be proud that I’d helped her in some small way.
Once she was settled and my phone was in her hands with instructions to play music, I pulled back onto the road.
The ride seemed too short now as we drove, singing old familiar songs and caught up on our lives. She told me about her job, about moving around, and how bad she wanted her own place back again.
“Shop with me. I need somewhere to live, the guys need somewhere to come home to, and you need a home base,” I said.
“Thank god,” she said. “I know my abandonment issues are so ridiculous but I need to know there’s space for us all, that you’re with me.”
“I don’t think it’s silly. Look at your life, Gracie.
Your dads disappeared, your mom and her family are one step up from the devil, I left.
You’ve been on your own, no one to rely on but Hailey and she had her own life.
You just need someone in your corner who won’t leave.
That’s where we come in. Where I plan to stay. ”
She had a happy smile on her face as she opened up her phone to look up available listings.
“There’s a farm, but I’m out on that one,” she said with a chuckle. “I like small town life, not barnyard life.”
“Is there something close to the city center?” I asked. “You always loved downtown.”
“I do but I think within walking distance, not right on the main drag, would be better,” she said as she scrolled further.
It was quiet for a bit as I merged onto the highway. She hummed happily as she searched and her scent swirled around me in the cab, sweeter than ever and settling something that had been missing in my soul.
I was obsessed with her and I swear she was going to get sick of me before this even started. The urge to touch her, to kiss her, to claim her… was so strong.
“How do you feel about renovations?” she asked, startling me out of my not-so-savory thoughts.
“Depends,” I admitted. “I don’t mind hard work, it might be nice, but design is not my strong suit.”
“I always thought that it was so cool when old buildings were converted into homes. This one was the old firehouse before they upgraded and it was converted to a farmers’ market a while back, but that also moved.
It’s been empty for a while, but so much space.
There’s the main garage that could be a common area and maybe even a space to paint for Cade who’s an artist.”
“They usually have pretty big kitchens, too,” I agreed. “How does it look in the pictures?”
“Outdated,” she admitted. “But most of the walls are exposed brick, they market redid electrical, plumbing, and the roof, so definitely good bones.”
“Would it be liveable while we work on renovations?” I asked. The building would be incredible but I needed her by my side, and in our own place.
“It could be. There might be a bit of work converting it to a residence, but Mayor Adams is great at getting things done,” she said.
“We’ll be back in a few hours, think they’d fit us in for a late showing?”
“Never hurts to find out,” she said, hitting the number attached to the listing and arranging a meeting for four hours from now.
Which gave us just enough time to catch up, stop for fast food, and drive to the town we’d both be calling home.