30. Lainey
If Lawson is trying to get into my pants, it’s working.
First he brought me to this incredible bakery that I would have moved into if the owners let me, and now we’re wandering the aisles of Nestful, in search of some magical pregnancy pillow Lawson insists I need.
It’s probably a regular pillow marketed specifically to pregnant people so they can jack the price up, but he is going through so much trouble I don’t want to hurt his feelings by saying that out loud.
“Aha! Okay so they all look pretty much the same, but they do have different colors and fabrics. Do you want to come pick your favorite? I know your omega is a little extra sensitive about sensory stuff right now.”
I love that he remembered that, but I’m also not quiet sure how. Sure I told the guys I was having some issues with certain fabrics and textures at the moment, but I don’t think Law was there for any of those conversations. “How’d you know that?”
He freezes with his hand on a particularly furry pillow and clears his throat.
“Oh, uh. Well I kind of overheard that meltdown you had over a tulle skirt touching your bare legs, and then Rhys told me you had been favoring certain fabrics and stuff for your room that were different from your usual picks.”
I’m stunned. I guess I still assumed that this whole time he had been ignoring me in his quest to keep his spiral to himself, but I guess that seems silly when I actually think about it. Law is the sheriff, of course he notices every little thing.
In an effort to distract myself from the sudden overwhelming urge to cry, I stand next to Lawson and start feeling fabrics.
The one he was petting is way too furry and would tickle my itchy stomach.
And the one next to it is woven but much too rough.
The third one I try, though, is exquisite .
Soft, short pile in a beautiful light blue color.
Lawson sees me pause and inspects the pillow, grinning when he feels it for himself.
“That one is really nice. Tag says it’s microfiber.
Water resistant, easy to clean, and fully machine washable. ”
Well that settles it. “Can we get this one?”
His lips meet my forehead as a rush of affection warms me from the bond. “Anything you want, angel.”
After purchasing the pregnancy pillow, which turned out to be large and u-shaped and not at all like a regular pillow, a random folding step-stool, plus an otherworldly soft sweat set in bright yellow Law insisted I needed, we’re back in his truck and pulling into a busy vacant lot.
He parks backwards so the bed of his truck faces a brick wall and then forces me to stay put while he hops into the back and bumps around.
I have no idea what he’s doing and the bed is covered so I can’t turn around and peek, either.
I’m startled by my door opening, but it’s just Lawson grinning like a kid in a candy store. “Come on, everything is ready for you.”
My curiosity is officially piqued and it’s enough of a distraction that I don’t even get embarrassed when he has to practically haul me out of the truck because I can’t get down on my own.
But when we round the back of the truck, I gasp.
The bed is piled high with blankets, pillows, a thick foam pad, my new pregnancy pillow, and all the food we got at Seoul Buns.
“Are we having a truck picnic?” It’s cold as all hell out here, but with the space heaters scattered around the lot, it isn’t so bad. And now I know why he told me to dress in layers.
“Not quite,” he smirks. “Sunday Harbor City Council puts on an outdoor movie twice each winter. Once just before Christmas, and once on New Years Eve. I thought we could do this for our date.” He points to a squat building behind us I hadn’t noticed when we pulled in.
“Those are the restrooms, so you can go as often as you need without having to worry about disturbing anyone.”
He’s right. I would have hated being in a traditional movie theater and having to haul my ass up two flights of stairs every ten to fifteen minutes when one of the babies inevitably kicked my bladder and I had to pee.
“Lawson.” His name comes out choked, but I can’t help it. I cannot believe he did all of this for me, and on such short notice. “You figured out everything I like and made sure I had it tonight.”
His eyes burn into mine, the emotion in the bond frazzled but scalding hot. “Haven’t you figured it out yet, Lainey? I notice every single thing about you.”
My cheeks flush as my scent fills the enclosed truck bed. “It feels good to be noticed.”
His head tilts but before he can voice any of the questions lingering behind his eyes, I see a flash of brown hair in my periphery that has me doing a double take. “You okay?” Lawson asks, clearly concerned by the way I completely tuned him out.
I nod slowly, but I am honestly not sure if that’s the truth. “I thought I saw my mom.”
Lawson’s expression immediately goes thunderous. “What? Where?”
I point vaguely to our left. “It was just a flash of hair and her profile, but I could swear it was her. Which makes no sense since she’s supposed to be in Florida.”
“Have you spoken to her since she left? Does she know about the fire, us, or the babies?” He doesn’t look at me when he asks because his eyes are too busy scanning the crowd, searching for any sign of Laura.
It’s easy to forget what Lawson does for a living until he slips into work mode.
And the man sitting next to me right now is very much Sheriff Daire .
I cringe, realizing I never did tell them about her strange text.
“Actually she texted me a few days ago when I was with Lucky and Wyatt after their game. She sent me a link to some sports article about Lucky and his new “mystery girl” and threw around some insults but then made a comment asking when I had gotten so fat and why I was being photographed with a famous alpha. I have no idea how she got that article or how she knows who Lucky is since last I was aware, she doesn’t follow sports.
The whole thing just left a strange taste in my mouth. ”
“That didn’t answer whether or not she knows about the fire or the babies.”
I shake my head, nervous about how he’ll react. After all, what kind of daughter doesn’t tell her mom about her only grandchildren?
He gives a firm nod. “Good. Until we know better what her motives are for reaching out, especially when a quick internet search will tell you Lucky’s net worth, I say you keep it quiet.
Keep her out of your life as much as you can.
From everything you’ve told us, she hasn’t earned a place in your life anyway, and my job is to keep you and the babies safe.
Even from family.” Thick arms band around my waist and then I’m sitting sideways in Lawson’s lap with my face buried in his neck.
“I feel like I’m supposed to feel guilty about shutting her out, you know?
” I murmur the words against his skin, letting his deliciously spicy gingerbread scent soothe my frayed emotions.
“But that woman has made my life hell from the day my dad left and the thought of her being anywhere near our babies sets off instincts I didn’t even know I possessed. ”
I feel him nod against my head. “It was bound to happen. Pregnant omegas are known to be extremely protective over their bonded mates and children. Hell, there are even laws that protect omegas from prosecution should they commit a crime in the name of protecting their loved ones. It’s the same for alphas but less common, since omegas are inherently peacekeepers.
” I peek up at his face and he’s giving me a sexy side-eye. “Well, some omegas.”
I shrug. He’s not wrong, and there’s no use in pretending he is.
The proof is growing inside me, after all.
“I have no problem keeping my mom in the dark about the most important things in my life. After all, she knew about the most important thing in my life before and then sold it right out from under me.”
He stiffens slightly. I’m not totally sure why, but everything else leaves my head when his big calloused hands cup my cheeks, tilting my face so we’re eye to eye. “If you could do anything in the world, what would it be?”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you want to finish school? If so, what do you want to do after? Do you want to stay home with the babies? Work from home? Work outside the house? Take a few years off to travel while they’re young?”
I hadn’t really thought about it before, but I do know one thing for sure.
“I’m not cut out to be a stay at home mom,” I say with certainty.
“That’s what Posey wants to do and I admire her for it, but I don’t think I’m built for it.
I loved working at the store and building my inventory and being part of the community.
I’m passionate about finding unique pieces for unique people and giving them a taste of whimsy in a harsh world. ”
He smiles, a proud gleam in his eyes. “So if you had the chance, would you want to do it again? Build a store in your own vision and be there every day as both an owner and employee?”
“Honestly I think it’s the only thing I can see myself doing after I finish school.
I know it will be harder with the babies in tow, but I know it isn’t impossible to work with kids.
My mom obviously isn’t a good example, but she was a single mom for nine years before I left for college.
And even then I still worked at the store until it closed. ”
“You’re forgetting these babies have four dads. You are not and never will be doing it on your own. We all know Lucky’s schedule will be crazy if he chooses to enter the draft and go pro, but you have me, Rhys, and Wyatt right here ready to help you any way we can.”
A small smile tilts my lips and I lean up to place a lingering kiss at the corner of his mouth. “You’re right. No matter what happens with our careers, I know I have my pack.”