Chapter 43
Merrick
When Preston said he was going to be there for Hailey, he wasn’t kidding. I don't know what I expected of the guy. I assumed he would be somewhat exhausted after everything he had been through, and I supposed he was.
But that didn’t slow him down at all.
I doubted that man got more than a few hours of sleep at a time. He was constantly doing anything he could for Hailey. Late-night snack runs had become the norm.
He’d also decided he was Hailey's personal helper monkey and was living up to the title with enthusiasm. Somehow, he’d managed to scope out all of the best fast food places in a matter of days, so he could procure any cravings she had.
“She’s out for the count,” Preston said as he walked into the living room, where I was scrolling mindlessly through my phone.
I glanced away from the screen. “I'm surprised you're not still in there, getting snuggles.”
“She's currently wrapped around the giant bunny that Wilder got her.”
“She loves that thing.” I hauled myself off the couch and toward the kitchen. “Beer?”
Preston nodded, “Sure, thanks. Also, I think we need to agree as a pack to never let Wilder know just how much she loves that stuffed bunny, because he will buy her twenty more, and this house will be overrun by bunnies.”
“He's already tried.” I smirked as I grabbed two beers, returning to the couch where Preston sank down.
“Dare I ask?”
“My bed currently has a giant stuffed bunny in it.”
Preston tried to bite back a smile, failing miserably. “The things we do for our omega.” He chuckled, taking the beer off me with a thankful nod and taking a deep swig.
It didn't feel awkward to be sitting with him. In fact, it felt easy in a way I hadn't expected.
While I was still irritated at Preston for a few of the decisions he’d made, I understood why he’d made them, and I was getting to understand the alpha better with each day.
“So, how did you get into firefighting? You were military, right?” I asked.
“Yeah, I worked mainly on bases, to be honest. Then I got into a few more covert things, which I enjoyed. A few years in, I got the opportunity to train as a smoke jumper.”
I raised a brow, taking a sip of my beer.
Smoke jumpers were serious pros. They parachuted into the worst of the worst when it came to fires. Usually deployed as a wildfire starts, they carried equipment that made my firefighting gear look light as a feather.
“That’s some pretty hardcore stuff,” I said, tilting my beer bottle in his direction.
“It was. The training just about killed me. I wanted to push myself, though, which is why I took the opportunity, but the diet and physical training…” He trailed off with a whistle.
“But you did it.”
“I did…but I like candy way too much. At least when training with the Marines, I occasionally got candy.”
I tilted my head, acting confused. “I thought Marines just ate crayons.”
Preston shot me a withering look that was somewhat dampened by the smile on his face. “I’ll have you know, they only eat crayons on our days off. Too many artificial colors,” he said in a deadpan voice.
“Ah, that explains it.” I smiled, tilting my beer bottle and clinking it with his before taking a large gulp.
Preston did the same, and for a moment, we just sat on the porch, watching the night sky.
“We really need to figure out our housing situation,” Preston finally said after a moment.
I turned my neck to look at him. What did he mean by that? Was my house not good enough?
“We already have a house.” I gestured vaguely in front of me to the house we were sitting in.
Preston shook his head with a smile. “I know, and it's an awesome house, but, man, you paid for this all by yourself.
If we are a pack, we need to do this as a pack.
How that looks, I'm not sure, but we need to contribute somehow. I love this place, and if we all want to live here, then let us give you some money toward the property.”
“You want to give me money toward my house?” I asked in a dumbstruck voice.
Preston nodded. “We’re a pack. We’re meant to shoulder burdens equally. Do you have a monthly payment on this place?”
“I do, but it's not much. This place was pretty much ripped down to the studs when I got it.”
It’d taken nearly three years just to get the property habitable. I had spent all my time off working on it. Thankfully, I hadn't been alone.
Several guys from the firehouse had construction experience, and they’d helped me in their free time. I’d paid them in beer and pizza, and they had appreciated it greatly.
Preston let out a low whistle. “That, I can imagine. You clearly put thousands of dollars into this place, not to mention the sweat equity. Let us help you shoulder any burden. We’ll pay the mortgage for a while.”
“It feels weird letting you pay my mortgage.”
“It shouldn't because we’re a pack,” Preston pointed out before taking another sip of beer. “When I first heard about you, I kind of hated you, I have to admit, but after getting to know you… You're a good man, Merrick, and you deserve support and thanks from us three idiots.”
For some reason, his offer of help made my chest feel tight. Not in a bad way, just in an unfamiliar way. I’d been so used to doing everything by myself for so long that the idea of this level of help was baffling.
“I'll think about it,” I admitted. “For all we know, Hailey may not like this house.”
Preston snorted. “Hailey loves this house. The fact that you gave her a sewing room means she's in heaven. But maybe, as a pack, we should discuss if we want somewhere bigger one day. I haven't brought it up with Hailey, or anything, but does she want more kids?”
“I’ve actually been thinking about that. We have a lot of land and can add on to the house.”
“That's good to know. I know a little bit about construction, but probably nowhere near as much as you.”
“It can be a pack bonding project.” I laughed.
“My one request is that we don't let Wilder near any nail guns. He won't hurt anyone, but he takes great joy in causing mischief, like nailing random items to walls.”
I got the distinct impression that there was a story behind that, but I was kind of scared to ask.
“Noted. No nail guns for Wilder.”
“I don't want to diminish all the amazing work you put into this place, either. It's fantastic, and you've done awesome, but you shouldn't have to shoulder the burden alone anymore.”
“Thank you. It’s going to take a bit to wrap my head around it…” I looked toward the middle distance. “But I appreciate it.”
I took a swig of my beer. Preston wasn’t a bad guy. In fact, if I had met him under different circumstances, I think we would have become close friends pretty damn quick.
After that, we sat, watching TV for a while. It wasn’t awkward, either. In fact, it was comfortable.
It wasn’t until soft footfalls reached our ears, and Hailey appeared behind us, that we moved. Wearing a tiny pair of sleep shorts and a T-shirt belonging to one of us, she looked adorably rumpled, her hair sticking up at all angles despite the braid she had put it in.
The T-shirt was straining over her bump now. We should have insisted on buying her more maternity clothes. Whenever we brought it up, she put it off, insisting she could make do with the T-shirts.
Though part of me wanted to insist that she got some items for herself, the possessive alpha side of me loved that she was wearing things that belonged to us.
Deep down, I really was a caveman.
“Hey, Hails, everything okay?” I asked softly.
She nodded, rubbing her eyes as she mumbled, “I want ice cream.”
“Like the kind we have in the freezer or a soft serve?” Preston asked as she padded around the couch and plopped herself on my lap. I pulled her into me, letting her rest her forehead in the crook of my neck.
“Soft serve. With chocolate candy bits,” she whispered.
“Well, I guess that is my cue!” Preston set his half-drank beer bottle down and hauled himself up off the couch. “Do you want anything else?”
“Cheesecake?” Hailey asked softly.
“I can get you cheesecake,” he said, leaning down to kiss the top of her head.
Even though it was long past midnight, he wasn't even fazed at the notion of going out to get snacks for Hailey. The guy was probably exhausted but didn't care one bit.
As far as Preston was concerned, he was there to support Hailey, and that's what he was going to do.
I respected the hell out of that, and I had a feeling that when given the opportunity, he’d be one hell of an alpha.