Chapter 6
When I open my eyes, I’m relieved to find the heat haze has lifted and I can think and see more clearly than I have the last three days. After I presented at sixteen Mama tried to prepare me for what was to come, telling me heats were magical and full of cuddles, purring, and knots.
For the first time in my life, she was wrong.
My first heat was a long, borderline traumatic experience I’m not eager to repeat anytime soon, but it’s over now and I’m determined to get back to normal as soon as possible. My joints creak and pop as I stretch my aching body.
Class soon, hot bath first.
I locate my phone in the mess of blankets thrown around my nest and huff when I see the battery is dead. I grab the charger and trudge to the bathroom, uncaring that I’m naked as the day I was born. It’s not like anyone is around to see the goods, anyhow.
The water is blissfully hot and there are even some soothing bath salts that Lainey included when she did her supply drop.
As soon as my phone powers back on, I’ll have to text her a thank you.
And maybe order one of those edible bouquets.
But one with chocolate. Obviously. I also need to call my parents and Maisie to let them know I’m alive since I haven’t talked to them in a few days.
It’s honestly kind of surprising one of more of them hasn’t shown up and tried to bust my door down yet.
Right on cue, my phone turns on, immediately launching into a flurry of ringing. Mama lights up the screen, and I groan. I’m not mentally or emotionally stable enough for this conversation yet, but I know it’ll be worse if I don’t give her proof of life.
Swiping to answer, I sigh. “Hey, Mama.”
“Hey Mama? HEY MAMA? That’s all I get after my daughter goes missing for four days?” She screeches. I can hear one of my dads in the back trying to calm her down, but she’s downright irate. “Primrose Evelyn Hale, where the H-E-double-hockey-sticks have you been, young lady?”
Yikes. She full-named me. She only does that when I’ve really stepped in it. Forcing calmness into my voice, I answer honestly. “I went into heat on my first day of classes and have been holed up in my nest alone the last four days.”
Her tone changes instantly. “Oh my sweet Rosie girl, I wish you could have called, but I understand. Are you okay? Did you have everything you needed? I’m sorry I didn’t leave you with heat supplies, but I had hoped you’d be a late bloomer like me and have more time.”
“It was… unpleasant, but I’m alright now. It’s okay, Mama. My friend Lainey brought me a heat care kit with supplies for during and after. I was actually just about to send her a thank you text and order a sweet treat to be delivered to her mom’s house later.”
Mama sighs, relief evident in the sound.
I feel bad for not wanting to talk to her because hearing her voice is making me feel a hundred times better already.
Tears drip from my eyes, landing silently into the bath water as I drop my head to rest on my knees.
My emotions are a mess, which I know is normal after a heat, but knowing that and experiencing it are two different things. “I miss you,” I sniffle.
“Oh, darlin’ I miss you too. We all do.” She’s quiet for a moment. “Do you need us to come visit? Or just I could? I think I should definitely come visit as soon as possible. Henry, will you look up flights to Sunday Harbor for me? And nothing with more than one layover, you know how—”
“Mama!” I snap. Then I immediately feel guilty for snapping and start crying again. “Sorry, my emotions are changing faster than the weather patterns in Spring.”
Several chuckles come down the line, and I roll my eyes. Of course she put me on speaker. “That’s normal, honey. You should see your Mama after a heat. We never know if we’ll be cuddling her or needing shin guards.”
There’s an “oof” sound, and then my mom has the phone again.
“Ignore them, Rosie. Your dads shouldn’t be giving out heat advice considering they never have and never will experience one.
The point is you’re safe, you’re healthy, and you made it through your first heat.
You should be so incredibly proud of yourself, my girl.
I know I am.” More grumbling comes through, and she corrects herself. “We all are.”
The tears are falling again, much quicker this time. “Thanks you guys. I love and miss you,” I choke.
“We love and miss you too, Posey. I expect at least one text every single day, you hear? And no less than one phone call a week. Anything less and I will hop my happy ass on a plane.”
A watery giggle escapes. “I will. Love you, Mama.”
“Love you more, Rosie Posey.”
After we hang up, I shoot Lainey a quick text. I feel my energy rapidly fading, so I need to get out of the bath before I fall asleep. There are also a few texts from Maisie, but I don’t have the energy to deal with another overbearing family member right now.
Me
Thank you so much for your help and the supplies, Lainey. I don’t know what I did to deserve a friend like you.
Lainey
You’re alive! Thank god. Class was so boring without you. Heats suck, and I am honored you allowed me to help you at all. Take as much time as you need, okay? Heat leave is covered up to a week without a doctor’s note, so don’t feel like you have to rush back to class, ok?
The tightness in my chest eases a fraction as I release a heavy breath. I would have gone back to class tomorrow, but my omega is much more relaxed knowing we don’t have to stray far from the nest just yet and will have an entire weekend to recover.
Me
You are heaven sent, Lainey Ryan. And you will have a delivery at your door in two hours. Thanks again!
Lainey
*squealing gif* a surprise! For moi? I’m touched. Take a nap and eat one of the meal preps I left you so you can come back to class on Monday and save me from my boredom. And if you need anything at all I’m just a text away.
Me
*heart hands emojis*
The only thing I consumed during my heat was bananas and protein bars, so my stomach rumbles instantly at the thought of real food.
Getting out of the bath and dressing zaps the last dredges of my energy so after scarfing down one of the pre-prepared meals Lainey left in my fridge, I collapse back into my nest and fall into a deep, dreamless sleep.