Chapter 25 #2
His eyes trace along my face, never quite meeting mine. There’s a hint of truth lingering in his words, but that just leaves me with more questions. What in the hell would make a simple package this upsetting?
I keep trying to tell myself that it’s nothing, but with every single second that passes, my instincts keep trying to convince me it’s something.
“Then why were you—” The loud honk of a car horn echoes through the kitchen. “Jules is here. I guess I’ll see you guys later.”
“Have a good day, sweetheart.”
Looking back over my shoulder before I head out the door, I pause. I give my Omega just a little bit of satisfaction, voicing one of the thoughts she’s screaming in my head. “You know, whatever it is you’re not telling me, I’d suggest you all figure that out sooner rather than later.”
Without waiting for goodbyes, I walk toward the front door and out into the sunshine.
Jules' truck is in the drive, and I’m climbing into the passenger seat and buckling up before I have time to process everything that just happened.
“Morning! Should we stop and get… Whoa. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, Jules. Just drive.”
“Hun, you sure? You look like… Well, to be honest, I’m not sure what that particular look is. Like…if confused and stabby had a baby?” She glares at the house. “Do I need to go all country on them boys and kick their asses?”
A ghost of a smile plays across my face. “Not yet. But hold that thought in case I need you later.”
“You got it.”
When she texted this morning, I almost turned her down. I thought it might be nice to spend a little extra time with one of the guys before our day got hectic, but now I’m glad I didn’t. Apparently, I need some time away to sort through the mess that is now my brain.
“Would it be okay if I had you run me by the cabin instead? I want to grab a few things, and I can just grab my motorcycle and head into town from there.”
“Of course.” She makes the turn, heading in that direction. “You don’t have to tell me what happened this morning, but it might help to talk about it. Otherwise, it’ll just become some festering wound that will eat you from the inside out.”
I’m gnawing on my bottom lip, trying to put my thoughts in order.
Trauma doesn’t just go away over night, or even after six years.
And if I’m honest with myself, it’s been a perpetual friend of mine all the way back from the moment my mama passed away and I went to live with Danny and Lily.
Then it just expanded when they unexpectedly left me too.
By the time the blow from Miles hit, the damn thing was a black hole waiting to swallow me whole.
But I fought to stay present. Fought for myself.
And I was doing such a damn good job of it too.
Until them. For the first time in years, I’m not alone.
I have people I thought I could depend on.
That I could trust. And the clearheaded part of me knows I still can.
But damn, my Omega is awfully fucking determined to convince me otherwise.
“What would you do if you thought your guys were hiding something from you?”
She huffs. “They’d probably see an imprint of my knuckles on their jaws, let me tell you. Unfortunately for them, I’m more the act first and ask questions later kinda gal.”
“I’m just not sure how to know if I’m making something out of nothing.
When you have a history like mine, trust doesn’t come easily, but these men made it seem effortless.
Now, I’m wondering if maybe I should’ve stuck to my guns to begin with.
Maybe I’m too damaged to have a pack. I joke that my Omega is broken, but I’m really starting to think she actually might be. ”
“Shay, I know you’ve had a rough go of it. Life’s been a dumpster filled with shit, then lit on fire. But I’ve known Memphis damn near my whole life. I can’t imagine him or the men he’s surrounded himself with ever doing anything to intentionally hurt you.”
“And part of me agrees with you. But that other part, she’s loud as fuck and unwilling to sit back and get hurt again.”
When she pulls into the drive, I get distracted by my first look at the cabin. My head cocks to the side as my mouth drops open. “Are you seeing what I’m seeing?”
She stares at the building in front of us. “If you mean the men working on your roof and the ones going in and out of your house, then yes. Yes, I do.”
“What the actual fuck?”
“I take it you didn’t hire them?”
“No. I most definitely did not.”
I’m not even sure what to think at the moment. Shock, gratitude, anger, panic, sadness, and even a hint of relief all whip through my system faster than I can blink.
Jules turns to me. “Shay, whatever this is, they meant well.”
When our gazes meet, worry flashing in her eyes, the damn bursts, and all of my conflicting emotions overwhelm me. I can’t stop the wobble in my voice. “Do I seem like the type of woman who would be okay with having an important decision on something this personal handled without my consent?”
“No. You’re the most independent Omega I know, but…” Her mouth opens, then closes, before she finally says, “But, hun, this is sometimes what Alphas do. They take on the heavy burden so their Omega doesn’t have to. I’m sure they didn’t mean—”
I shake my head. “I know it wasn’t a malicious thing. Rationally, I know that. But with everything that just happened, and now seeing this? I’m just wondering if we’re moving way too fast. What if I’m making a mistake? What if—”
She turns in her seat, taking both of my cheeks in her hands. “Please don’t make me have to slap you silly to get you to snap out of this.”
A half-hearted laugh bursts from my lips. “What do I do, Jules?”
“You do what you always do. You stand up for what you need and don’t settle for less.” She grabs my hand. “You’re the strongest woman I know, Shay. You don’t take shit from anyone. Why would now be any different?”
“You’re right.” Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath.
“I usually am, hun. And just remember… If you need me, just call. I’ll show up ready to kick some Young Pack ass.”
We burst into giggles. I’m so fucking grateful for Darling and the life I’ve built here, including the friends that have become like sisters and the group of men I’m still trying to figure out what to do with.
In the end, I’ll do what’s right for me. Period.