Chapter Forty-Eight #3
“Because that’s what packs do. That’s what people who care about each other, who love each other, do,” she told me. “I love you, too.”
“I love you both.”
We talked for a few more minutes. Finally, Carlos ended the conversation with a promise to call us later.
“Come on.” Fiona slid off my lap and took my hand.
I followed her up to the second floor and into the pack bedroom.
She pushed me into her nest. It was this small offset room, like a walk-in closet, without all the clothes bars and shelves, and shit, with a sliding door.
Fiona filled it with pillows, blankets, beanbag chairs, and other shit. The inset floor held a mattress.
Fiona flopped on top of me and pulled a blanket over us. “I’ve got you. Personally, I think it’s a green flag when an alpha cries because their dad was shitty to them.”
“Thanks, Puddin’.” I wrapped my arms around her. “I’m not always a fuckup.”
“I know. And I can be more than a silly, rich omega that spends her dads’ money.” Her forehead touched mine. “I believe in you.”
“That means everything.” I held her tighter. How did I get all of this?
But I was grateful.
“Your dad stole your money?” Her brow furrowed.
“Mumsy. She mistakenly cleared and closed the account when they left the country.” I sighed. “It’s been a year and a half and she still hasn’t paid it back, even though she said she would.”
“Was it an education fund or a savings account with both your names on it?” she asked.
I thought for a moment. “It was an education fund my grandparents originally set up for me. We each had one. There wasn’t a ton of it, but it would have helped.”
“Yeah, I don’t think they can do that.”
“They did.” I shrugged. “The parents are not good with money. They did shit like that to Verity, too. Like using her cow money to pay for medical shit, without telling her, then being mad at her, when years later she found out the farmers never got the cows, and asked about it.”
Fiona blinked. “What?”
“But she ended up getting him the cows. I mean she sent them to his office, but it’s all good. They’re mates now. The cows actually live on AJ’s sister’s farm,” I explained.
She nodded. “I’ll have your sister tell me that story at Carlos’ next home game. We can have a lawyer send a letter. Not sue them. Yet. Just a letter.”
I shook my head. “It’s fine.”
“It’s not. Also, think of it this way, you asked and set a deadline, this will reinforce it.”
“I don’t know.” I sighed. “Mercy doesn’t know they took hers. I never told anyone about either. Shit, I need to text Grace. I’m not sure Dad is safe. He said something that worried me.”
I texted Grace my concerns.
Fiona was studying me. “Why do you let yourself struggle when you have a rich sister willing to pay for everything?”
“Because they have a point about learning to take care of myself. I took enough to keep the struggle at a minimum, but not enough that I didn’t have to work.
I need to learn how to budget, how to balance things, and how much things actually cost. My life is not that shitty.
I like my job. Though things would be easier if I didn’t work there this semester, and I want to spend the most days here in New York with you,” I admitted.
“Then don’t work. Focus on your research. Also, having your place there is good, because sometimes you might need an extra day to lock yourself in the library somewhere, so you can study without me there to distract you.” She gave me an alluring look.
That was very true. I did better cramming for tests and writing papers at the last minute.
I kissed her. “You? A distraction? Never.”
“Don’t listen to them, okay? We have this. And given you’re going to keep your place there, we should probably do more clothes shopping. I will pay for things if I get to choose and you have to model.” Her lips curved into a grin. “We can go later today.”
“That sounds frightening, Puddin’. Can I pick the store at least?” I offered, unsure about all that, knowing the brands she liked.
She thought for a moment. “We’ll see.”
“Okay.” I held her tight, drinking in her touch, her scent–and the fact she’d brought me into her nest, in what was obviously an attempt to comfort me.
“We have you. And when we need you, you’ll have us back,” she assured. “You are enough, Hale. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.” A rumble filled the little room.
Wait. Was she purring for me? I hadn’t heard an omega purr outside of a recording in alpha class in a long time.
My omega was purring for me. In her nest. And she wanted to buy me clothes, which was her love language.
I was going to fucking do this. For me. For them.
What had Mercy said? Something about their opinions not being indicative of our self-worth.
No. That wasn’t it.
Fuck the parents. Yeah. That was it.
Yeah, fuck that noise. I’d do this without their approval or support.
I wasn’t going anywhere. Because Carlos and Fiona loved me and they deserved me to fucking try.
And I was going to fucking try.
This time my best was going to be fucking enough. I was going to be fucking enough.
I was enough.
Because Fiona said so.