Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
shay
I’m pretty sure Lyon and Ridge fucked my hangover right out of me this morning. I woke up to Lyon’s face between my thighs and Ridge’s mouth on my nipples. It spiraled into at least four orgasms and some seriously overworked ab and thigh muscles.
Definitely not complaining.
After Lyon took his turn in the bathroom while I laid in Ridge’s arms, waiting for feeling to return to my limbs, he forced us to get up and get moving. Sex brain kinda makes you forget all about little things like responsibilities. What can I say?
Those boys are animals, I swear.
Again. Not complaining.
What little bit of a headache remained after our morning sexcapade disappeared under the warmth of the shower.
Now, I’m clean, mostly relaxed, and honestly feeling happier than I can remember being in a very long time.
The fact that Houdini joined me in the bathroom and gave me a brief scare didn’t even faze me. Nothing can destroy my fantastic mood.
I’m about to be a business owner, I’ve got a pack who genuinely wants me, and I’m having the best sex of my life. What more could a girl ask for?
If there’s an odd haze lingering on the outskirts of my brain, an itch just under my skin, or a twinge between my legs, I chalk it up to epic sex.
With a little extra pep in my step, I head for the stairs with Houdini tucked under my arm, hearing the guys’ voices coming from somewhere below.
My brow furrows as their tone reaches me.
This is the second time I’ve come across them discussing something they obviously don’t want me to hear.
I slow my footsteps, thankful for the carpet that muffles my movements, and gently place a hand over Houdini’s beak when he gets excited.
“Another one? What the fuck?” August mutters, frustration clear in his voice. “You should’ve waited for me to get back.”
Memphis sighs. “I know, okay? I know.”
The clanking of a mug on the counter reaches me just before Ridge’s voice. “I don’t think we should wait anymore. We don’t need the fucking town gossips who bribe the FedEx driver with cookies and snacks to catch wind of this and ruin our chances of explaining.”
Explaining what? My stomach pitches. I don’t like secrets. My Omega personally takes issue with the Alphas she’s begun to think of as hers keeping something from her. Old trauma and all that. I try to regulate my breathing and maintain my calm despite my Omega being in an uproar.
Chill, sister. We need more information before we go all ragey.
“We should be able to explain everything soon, I swear.” August groans. “I’m not looking forward to that reveal.”
“Why the hell not?” Memphis asks. “It’s a huge part of who you are, and if we can clear up this shit with the packages, I don’t see it being a big deal.”
“It’ll be fine, Aug. But every day that passes only makes it worse. Remember that,” Ridge cautions.
Makes what worse? While I’ll admit that none of that sounds particularly good, it’s also nothing incredibly horrible. Getting my instincts to understand that is another matter entirely. For the first time in six years, my fight or flight has been reactivated, and I’m struggling to maintain control.
But I know these guys. They’re not Miles. I trust them. They’d never hurt me. Whatever it is doesn’t sound like it’s directly about me, but if that’s the case, why doesn’t Aug trust me enough to talk to me about something that obviously affects him?
Take a deep breath in and exhale.
Needing to get my Omega side under control, I head back down the hallway to my room, squeezing Houdini a little too tightly, and he crows softly.
The voices go silent, and I curse my fucking luck.
With my good mood evaporated and irritation rushing up my spine, I push my shoulders back and decide to face them like the mature, rational woman I am.
Shay Bennett no longer runs and hides, no matter how much her instincts want to.
No. She’ll march right down there and get a feel for what’s really going on.
If I can face off against the Darling Business Council, I can sure as hell face off with the men who claim they want to spend the rest of their lives with me.
I purposely make my presence known, footsteps pounding against the floor as I descend the stairs. Setting Houdini down, I make my way toward the kitchen, catching August straightening from the coffee table in the study as I pass by.
“Hey, firecracker,” he murmurs hesitantly.
Something is definitely up. August is never hesitant, and considering I haven’t seen him for close to a week, it’s also odd that he’d be so standoffish. I tamp down the thoughts racing through my head and focus on trying to act normal even though I feel my eyes narrowing on him.
“Hey. How was your trip?”
He steps up beside me, studying my face as he slides his arm around my waist. When he presses a kiss to my forehead, I let my eyes fall closed and inhale the heavy scent of mulled wine.
Fuck, I’ve missed him.
Standing in his arms, there’s a sense of security even my currently pissy Omega can’t deny.
Pretty sure she’s giving me the side eye.
“Good. Got to spend some time with my mom. She came back with me and is looking forward to meeting you.”
Maybe I should tell him I’ve already met her, but considering I can’t talk about where that actually occurred, I choose to just ignore it.
See, they’re not the only ones with secrets.
A foggy memory from last night plays through my mind, but I’m distracted when Memphis calls out for me.
Stepping out of August’s embrace, I make my way to the massive island in the kitchen.
The black cabinets are topped with a dark granite that matches the stone backsplash, and the lighting, appliances, and other decor makes it seem warm and cozy.
The guys are all standing around one end, sharing looks that, admittedly, make them look suspicious as fuck. They’re not making this easy, are they?
“Hey, darlin’, we’re heading out for the day.” Memphis pulls me into his chest, nuzzling against my hair. “Damn, I’ve missed having you in my arms. It’s been a long week.”
I wish I could explain the battle waging in my head.
As I snuggle into him, letting the scent of apples and spice soothe me, my instincts try to rebuke the comfort.
I’m not entirely sure what the hell the deal is, if I’m honest. I’ve never been this conflicted, not even when Miles dropped his bond bomb.
That time, it was all too easy to turn my back on years of planning and dreams. This time, I’m desperate for answers.
I guess that’s called personal growth, but with that realization doesn’t automatically come a new heaping helping of patience, either.
Not running doesn’t mean I’m looking forward to waiting for them to open up to me.
Hold it together, Bennett. Act normal.
“The transfer of ownership for the bar is almost complete, and then things should settle down a bit. Maybe once that’s done, we could find some time to celebrate.”
“That sounds perfect.” He pulls back, staring down at me with concerned eyes. “You okay?”
“Yeah, just tired. Like you said, it’s been a long week.”
I can feel Lyon’s stare penetrating my skull. He was just with me and knows that I was in a great mood, so I ignore his silent inquisition and pretend to pick lint off my shirt instead.
Super mature, I know.
Way to face the issue head on, Bennett.
The problem is… my Omega doesn’t want to.
Not this time. Because whatever I felt for Miles pales in comparison to my feelings now.
I only thought I loved that pompous asshole.
Now, I know what love really is because I’ve fallen for these guys.
This is full-on L-O-V-E, and the Omega in me will be completely wrecked if she’s left with no choice but to walk away.
Logically, I don’t see that happening, but try to tell that to the psychopath in my brain.
Ridge slides me a cup of coffee, and I nearly swoon even though the rest of me is practically standing aside with her arms crossed over her chest, refusing to be swayed.
“Thank you,” I say, lifting the cup to my lips and taking a sip without ever looking at my Beta.
I’m fairly certain he’d see the crazy hidden behind my eyes.
“Welcome. Need a ride to the bar?” he asks.
I shake my head. “Um. No, actually. Jules texted me a little bit ago that she’s on her way to pick me up.”
“Why?” Lyon reaches over and runs his hand down my hair.
“She offered last night. She’s gotta run into town to pick something up from Georgia’s.”
I’m acting hella awkward, but I can’t help it. I’ve got two very different voices in my head aggressively arguing over what the hell is happening right now and what stance we should take. Talk about mindfuck.
“Will you be home in time for dinner?” Ridge asks.
“Probably not. Luke has to leave early, so it’ll just be me closing up. It’ll probably be early morning before I get back.”
August steps up beside me. “I can be there tonight if you need me.”
“No, I’ll be fine. It shouldn’t be busy tonight since it’s midweek.
Plus, you just got back, and you said your mom’s here.
Spend some time with her.” Pulling up my big girl panties, I take a deep breath in and exhale, then I force myself to look around at all four of them.
“What were you guys discussing before I came down?”
How I manage to say those words without a single sneer is honestly quite impressive. The tension in the room rises, their scents taking on a bitter edge that I don’t like at all, and I force back a whine. For a moment, no one says anything, but I note the looks they’re sharing.
Dammit. No. Stay calm. Do not overreact.
August runs a hand over his buzzed hair. “A package came while I was gone, and I was just upset that the guys opened it.”