26. Lainey
Lucky, Wyatt, and Rhys are leaving for the weekend, and my omega is about to throw a whole dang fit about it. “Remind me again where you’re all going?” I’m not proud of the whine in my voice, but I’m choosing to blame it on the hormones.
Wyatt kisses the side of my head while Lucky scoots closer on my other side and Rhys slides forward until his knees touch mine from his spot on the coffee table.
He pushes reassurance through our bond and it helps, but not enough.
My omega is convinced if we also had bonds with Lucky and Wyatt them leaving for the weekend wouldn’t feel so catastrophic.
There’s also the teeny tiny fact that I will be alone with Lawson.
I have barely seen him since I moved in since he is almost always coming or going from work, but he took the entire weekend off so I wouldn’t be alone in the house and hearing that gave me stupid butterflies.
I go back and forth between lusting over the broody sheriff and being incredibly hurt that he seems to want nothing to do with me outside of our arrangement.
And really, now that I am bonded to Rhys there’s no reason for us to interact at all if he doesn’t want to.
I rub at my chest, trying to soothe away the ache of the silent bond, and the guys notice. They don’t say anything, but based on the way their scents nosedive they know exactly what I’m feeling and why I seem quieter than usual.
“I have an expo in Seattle,” Rhys starts, taking one of my hands in his and stroking his thumb along the back.
He sends so much emotion down the bond it’s hard to pick out individual feelings, but the overall gist is affection and concern.
“If I hadn’t signed a contract last year I would have cancelled.
But people made appointments and this event is the largest one I have ever been invited to, so… ”
I smile, hoping he can read the sincerity I shove at him through our link. “You have to go, Rhys. It’s going to be so fun and it sounds like a huge opportunity. Maybe it’s weird, but I’m really proud of you.”
And then Rhys Rivers does something I never thought I would see. He blushes . “Thanks, darlin’. Means a lot.”
With that settled, I glance back and forth between my ball boys.
Lucky surprises me by speaking first. “We have back to back games in Boston and Providence. So we won’t be nearly as far away as Rhys, but we also can’t really be on our phones during games and practice unless it’s an absolute emergency.
” He peeks at Wyatt. “You gave her all the important numbers?”
Wyatt nods, and I snort. “And several I will likely never need. I’m covered in case of an emergency, and Lawson will be here.
Logically, I know I will be absolutely fine.
I have spent a lot of time alone in my life and it never bothered me before.
But my instincts are screaming at me saying I shouldn’t let you guys be so far away. ”
Wyatt smoothes my hair back, a concerned frown tipping his lips.
“It’s most likely the pregnancy. Your omega knows we’re your scent-matched, and in Rhys’s case bonded, alphas and you will probably want to keep us close to you the further your pregnancy progresses.
The fact that you have two babies only amps up that instinct to protect what’s yours. ”
I nod slowly. His words make sense, but logic isn’t helping to make that ache go away.
The guys exchange another look. “Maybe I should stay back.” Wyatt says hesitantly.
“I’m not the one going pro, and Rhys cannot miss his expo, so that leaves me as the most logical choice.
I don’t know that leaving her with Law is the best idea right now. Not when he’s?—”
“ She is right here.” I snap. “And I don’t need a babysitter.
” I also don’t need to hear their insider knowledge of Lawson’s distaste for me.
I am imagining enough with how distant he’s been, but hearing them confirm it would be like a knife to the heart.
Bonds are for life, and the idea of being bonded to someone that hates me is more than I can handle right now.
Sighing, I drag my hands through my hair and use the tie on my wrist to throw it up into a messy bun.
They normally keep the house pretty cool but it is sweltering today and this pregnancy has been making me run extra hot pretty much all the time.
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to snap, I’m just not used to feeling so many feelings and it’s making me cranky.
Not to mention the heartburn, lack of sleep, changing body, and knowing I am going to have two tiny humans to keep alive in the next four months. ”
Wyatt at least has the decency to look chagrined, but Lucky puts a hand on his arm.
“We’re sorry. We don’t mean to speak for you or at you, but I think I speak for both myself and Wyatt when I say our alphas are just freaking the fuck out about leaving you.
It’s seventy-two hours at most and yet it feels like we might never see you again. ”
Taking a chance, I stand up and turn slightly sideways before plopping myself into Lucky’s lap.
I don’t need a bond to know he’s thinking about the last time I ducked out without a word, and for the first time I feel guilty leaving him the way I did that night.
I couldn’t have known then what I know now, but the guilt eats at me all the same.
“I promise I will be right here when you get back. Lawson and I will either figure our stuff out or we won’t, but I swear it won’t affect my relationship with the three of you.
And I’ll text you the whole time you’re gone, even if it’s just a string of complaints about the woes of pregnancy.
After all, I was promised a glow, and so far the only glow I’ve gotten is from sweat. ”
He grins and the other two put their hands on me as well.
“Don’t worry, we like you sweaty.” He says this with an exaggerated wink.
“And don’t worry, we’ll probably texting you like obsessed psychos the whole time.
Plus, we’re taking our Lainey t-shirts with us so everyone knows me and Wy are off limits. ”
A feral snarl cracks the quiet comfort of the room, and it takes a minute to realize the sound came out of me . “Woah.” I blink, trying to clear the red haze from my vision. “I’m sorry, I have no idea what just happened. I have never made that sound before.”
All three of the guys grin like idiots. “I do.” Rhys says smugly. “Your omega just laid her claim on us. Which means you like us .”
I roll my eyes, desperate to get this train back on the tracks before they trap me into admitting my feelings. “Don’t you all have somewhere to be?”
They laugh but heed my warning, standing to gather the last items they’ll need for a weekend away.
My chest gets tight watching them, but I channel the Lainey from a year ago and shove down every omega instinct that is screaming at me to beg them to stay and scent mark them until they all smell unmistakably like me.
They all leave at the same time and my heart thuds painfully as I watch the cars pull out.
They’re barely out of the driveway when my phone pings, momentarily distracting me.
I expect it to be Posey, but my heart starts racing for a whole new reason when I see my mom’s name pop up with a link below it.
Laura Ryan
*link*
What the hell is this, Magdalene? When did you get so fat, and why does it look like you’re standing with an alpha? A famous one, no less?
The link she has attached is a sports article featuring photos of me, Lucky, and Wyatt the night of their game that the girl hitting on Lucky must have taken.
The whole thing is a speculative piece on whether football’s next big thing is ready to settle down.
Wyatt is mentioned briefly but only as Lucky’s right hand.
No mention of pack and they don’t mention me by name, which is a relief.
My mom’s words sting, but it’s no different than the things she said when I was growing up.
Only this time on the heels of the hurt is anger.
A hot, poisonous rage that is twofold. One side is fueled by wanting to protect my babies because I know she would have nothing kind to say about them, and the other is for my alphas.
Lucky, because she sees him as nothing but a payout, and Wyatt, because she ignored him altogether in her assumption I would only be with the famous one.
Me
Pretty sure they call it the freshman fifteen, mother. And I also have this other thing, it’s new. Some people call them friends.
Laura Ryan
You don’t have to be so bitchy, Mags. You need to use what you have and snare an alpha or pack before you graduate. God knows you can’t do anything else.
The earlier rage intensifies, sending fiery tendrils of fury through my veins.
It’s nothing I haven’t heard before, but again she’s talking about using my alphas like they aren’t people, just a wallet and potential while simultaneously diminishing every accomplishment I have ever had.
I fucking hate it. Hate that she has had so much power over me and still thinks she can wield it.
My phone dings again, and I seriously contemplate blocking her.
Laura Ryan
What kind of mother would I be if I didn’t look out for my only child? I’m just trying to help and you’re being an ungrateful brat.
And there it is. Horrible insults followed up with a half-assed attempt at a guilt trip.
I click the button to lock my phone, deciding it will be in my best interest to keep my stress levels low and ignore her.
Her words can’t do anything but leave tiny little paper cuts on my heart.
Sure they hurt like hell and I’m all too aware of them for weeks, if not months, after a verbal attack.
But it is a hell of a lot better that than her showing up and ruining my life again.
It’s not until hours later, after her words have settled and the house is quiet, that I let the first tears fall.