Page 59 of Claiming Their Omega

I don’t know what to say. I had no idea that my family was ever in trouble, and guilt swims in my gut all over again over how long I was away. I’m not happy about this whole Omega situation, but if there’s a silver lining to it, it’s that it’s forced me to spend more time around my family and to catch up on all the things that I missed.

Even when I get back to New York, I’m not going to stay out of touch for so long. I’m going to be better about checking in and knowing what’s going on with my family. I should’ve known about this. I should’ve been there. While what Jesse and the Alphas did is kind, my family shouldn’t have had to turn to someone else and rely on their help. I should’ve done something.

There’s some weird tension and quiet as everyone digs into the dessert. Mostly from the Alphas. I think they’re embarrassed by the attention. That makes sense to me for Easton and Cade, but not so much for Jesse and Hendrix. I wonder what’s going on.

At least my family seems unaware of it or willing to overlook it. They keep up the chatter just fine, and I dive into talking with them until it’s finally time to clean up and head out.

I help with the cleanup, just like I’m a kid again, automatically bringing in the dishes and helping with washing and drying.

Hendrix’s parents and Easton’s grandparents all hug me before they head out, and when it’s time for me and the Alphas to leave, I embrace my family tightly. I’m so grateful for them, and I love them so much. I don’t know how to apologize to them for not being there. I know they’d just brush it off and insist that it was all fine, but it’s not fine to me.

I promise myself, again, that I’ll be there from now on. I’ll make sure they know they can depend on me and share their troubles with me. I’m going to be a better daughter, sister, and granddaughter.

When we get into the pickup to head back to the ranch, though, I can’t help but speak up. “Were you ever going to tell me you did that for my family?”

The Alphas all look at one another. “Like I told your parents,” Jesse insists, “it’s not a big deal.”

“It is a big deal. You should’ve told me.”

He snorts. “There’s no ‘should’ here. We’re not obligated to tell you anything about it.”

“We’ve been friends with your brother pretty much our whole lives,” Hendrix points out. “And we love your family. Of course we were going to help out if we could.”

“Besides,” Jesse adds, “the McAllisters are assholes.”

Easton snorts in agreement and Cade grunts.

I don’t disagree with them. I haven’t thought about the McAllisters in ages, but now that my memory has been jogged, it’s all coming back. I can remember them from when we were younger—pushy, entitled assholes, from what I recall. Bullies on the playground when we were kids, and then rowdy, cruel jocks in high school.

Still, it is a huge deal. My brother’s friends can try to brush it off all they want, but I don’t care. They’re good men, and they deserve to be thanked properly for their generosity and support.

We get back to Coyote Ridge and park, and I hop out of the car, then wait by the front door.

The four Alphas all give me suspicious looks as I stand by the front door, smiling as sweetly and innocently as I can manage.

“What are you up to?” Jesse asks.

“Nothing. Just unlock the door and go in.”

“Uh huh. Did you booby trap it before we left or something?”

“I would never.”

“You absolutely would. I grew up with you, remember, wildcard? I wouldn’t put a damn thing past you. I know the conniving brain that hides behind those pretty blue eyes.”

I gesture at the door. “Go on.”

Jesse sighs, unlocks it, and steps up to go inside.

I hop up onto my tiptoes and kiss him on the cheek. “Thank you.”

He freezes in place, turning to stare at me. “For opening the front door?”

“For helping out my family,” I tell him, my voice softening. “You say it’s not a big deal, but I don’t care. They all got to thank you and I haven’t. So this is me thanking you.”

If I’m being honest with myself, I’d like to thank him—all of them—in a much more intimate way. But I know they won’t appreciate it if I offer, so I just stick to a kiss.

Jesse stares at me for a moment, the same fire blazing in his eyes that I saw right before he kissed me, then drags in a breath and strides into the house.

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