Chapter 42
FORTY-TWO
The condo that Dax takes us to is just as large as the penthouse. It’s vast, but not white. This place has personality and a lot of freaking color. I think every room is dedicated to a different one, which really speaks to my omega for some reason.
“Whose place is this?” I ask, assuming it’s an Airbnb or something.
Everett laughs. “Did you miss the part where your mate’s family is filthy freaking rich?”
“Shut up.” I push him playfully, and he nudges me back, causing me to giggle.
“Yes, this place belongs to my parents,” Dax confirms. “But really, I’m the only one that comes here. Everett and I come up here during the summertime before training starts. We’ll have privacy here.”
We make it to a long hallway, passing so many doors. Where the heck are we going?
The door at the end is black and tall. I somehow figure out what’s behind it before they push it all the way open.
The nest is huge, making my omega poke her head up from the nap she was taking.
The bed is probably the biggest one I’ve ever seen, the floor padded so it feels like a comforter under my feet.
There’s a mix of blues, blacks, and reds everywhere.
Pillows, blankets, a special Tiamat plushie that yearns to be in my hands.
“What the hell is this?” I ask.
“This,” Dax starts, probably doing a mental drumroll, “is your nest. Your temporary nest. It’s also the biggest room here so we can all be together in the same room, if that’s what your omega wants.”
I walk in, taking in all of it. There’s a skylight so you can see the stars. I gasp at the beauty of it, my hand going to my chest.
“This is beautiful,” I trail off, noticing they haven’t followed me in. “What are you guys doing?”
“It’s not polite to enter an omega’s nest without permission,” Everett jests, giving me a cheeky smile.
I roll my eyes, but the elation I feel from the statement shows clearly on my face. “Get in here, you meatheads.”
They walk in then and join me on the bed, taking up space as we sprawl out. We all need a minute to breathe after the hurried goodbye from the penthouse.
“I’m sorry that this ruined your holiday with your families,” I say to Dax and Everett. “If I wasn’t here, maybe she wouldn’t have done that.”
“No,” Dax replies, his tone firm. “I have no idea what’s been going on with Nicole lately, but she’s been moody and mean and nothing like the sister I know. I’m so sorry that she tried to mess with you like that. You didn’t deserve that, Omega.”
“She’s been like that all semester,” Jett tells him, taking residence at my side. “She’s constantly tearing her down, saying nasty things. I don’t think I’ve ever not known her to be this way. ”
Dax nods. “I know. There’s no excuse. I have no idea what’s going on, but I know that I don’t want to let it affect us .”
The desperation in his face causes something to crack inside of me. “It’s not going to affect us, Dax.” I swallow thickly. “We’re your pack.”
His eyes are still sad but he gives me a smile. I love you , he mouths to me, and I mouth it back, the moment just for us.
“So, do you think you’re still up for what I have planned tonight?” Dax asks, hope shining in his eyes.
“You had something planned?” I ask.
Everett catches my eye. His face looks proud as he says, “It’s probably his best courting gift yet.”
I look over at Jett, who’s giving me a knowing look. “Trust me, Rory. You’re not going to want to miss this.”
Well, I guess it’s decided then. “Alright, let’s do it.”
Jett was right. I definitely didn’t want to miss this.
The set looks just like it does on TV, minus the emptiness behind the walls that are hidden by the camera. Beige walls, the iconic long orange sofa in the family’s living room. I keep pinching my arm to remind myself this is real.
My new favorite sitcom, the one I’ve been binging, is right here in front of me. In a few minutes, the actors are going to be coming in from their dressing rooms to film the first episode of the new season and we get to be here to experience it.
The second we walked in, I let out the most embarrassing squeal in the world and got a few ugly looks from the workers, but my reaction was real so I’m going to stand by it.
“I still can’t believe we’re here,” I say with wonder.
“After our first date, when we were watching it, it gave me the idea. When I found out it was filmed in New York, it felt like kismet.”
“You knew this was something I would like, even before I told you?” I ask.
His cheeks redden as he nods, so unlike him but also so endearing. “That’s why when you said it was your perfect date, I panicked. I didn’t want to give the surprise away.”
I take his hand in mine and squeeze. “You didn’t. This is amazing , Dax. And it’s something we’ve watched together, which makes it even more cool. Who are you most excited to see?”
My alphas start to geek out with me, especially Jett because one of his favorite TV actors is supposedly a guest star in this episode.
When it comes time to be quiet and watch the taping, my body is so full of anticipation that I feel like I could cry, but my guys are there, lending me their hands for support.
Jett holds my my hand tight, his own excitement obvious in the way he squeezes me, and Dax keeps his arm around me, sneaking glances of my smile every couple minutes.
Everett has to cough down his laughter at certain parts, not used to having to keep his reactions so silent.
He accidentally lets out a snort at some point that has the director calling a cut, which causes the rest of us to discreetly giggle at him.
Afterwards, we’re on a high and not ready to go home, so Dax takes us to a bar down the street that plays live music.
It’s the best pizza I’ve ever eaten and the company left nothing to be desired.
They all snuck touches throughout the night whenever they could.
Jett’s fingers swiping over mine, Everett discreetly scent marking me every chance he got.
Dax was back in high spirits, dancing and convincing the rest of us to do the same.
Our prime kept us from getting kicked out, but it was close.
We were apparently too loud even for a nighttime bar in New York City, but it’s not our fault that the cover of Come On Eileen was freaking magic.
As we get back to the condo, it really starts to hit me that there isn’t any real stability between us.
My omega craves it, deeply, and I had been ignoring it on the caution of taking things slow.
But this isn’t some ordinary dating scenario we have found ourselves in.
This pack is destined for me, and it’s never been more clear to me than it is right now.
This isn’t another tragedy like my parents.
My fear of repeating the cycle was doing nothing but keeping me from real love and happiness, and I don’t want it to anymore.
The people I see in the support group, they’ve found ways to cope and ways to move forwards…
ways to trust people even though it doesn’t feel natural.
I let these guys in and they didn’t disappoint me in the slightest.
So I don’t want to wait another second. I want to be theirs, completely, and without any hesitation.