Page 61 of Talk About… History

Cohen looked embarrassed, shifting in his seat and not meeting our eyes. “My business does well and I had a trust I got access to a few years ago.”

“I’m not from money and even though the Omega Network tries to pay well, it’s not incredible. My savings are decent but not something impressive by some standards. I invest and save where I can and it’s just me, so I’ve played it smart.”

“Good, glad we’re all responsible. Another sign we can take care of her,” Mason said, nodding in approval.

“So, I guess we have our work cut out for us,” Ford said, his excitement causing him to fidget now. “Moving, making plans for a business, courting our omega, and becoming a pack.”

“I feel like we need a disclaimer, all cards on the table… I can’t stand clutter, I require coffee before conversation in the morning, and I hate heights,” I said.

Cohen laughed softly. “We’ll have an adjustment. I like cozy spaces and I’m certainly not a minimalist.”

Mason shrugged. “It is what it is. I’m not a minimalist, I don’t mind lived in… but my parents, as much as I love them, hold onto everything.”

“He’s not wrong. Even his old room looks the same as it did when he left, but with extra boxes now.”

“I have two beagles. They’re loud and can be a lot, but Avery loves them and so do I,” Cohen added.

“I’ve never had dogs, I’m excited. Maybe I’ll go shopping for some bribery to win them over,” Ford chuckled.

“They live for treats,” Cohen laughed, relaxing a bit.

“Anyone’s family the ‘pop over without notice’ type?” I asked, curious if there would be other dynamics to meld as well.

“Nah, mine mostly ask us to visit,” Mason said.

“My grandma raised me but she’s a homebody. I visit often but she doesn’t get out much,” Ford agreed.

“I’m the family black sheep because I chose small town and a business of passion so we won’t see much of mine,” Cohen said. “My uncle was the one who got me into small town life, in fact, I got the pups from him.”

He sounded so sad that Ford and I reached out at the same time, my hand squeezing his shoulder while Ford’s touch was more intimate, his fingers wrapping around Cohen’s.

“The fucked-up part is he isn’t even gone. He’s just in a rehab facility and my aunt oversees it. She says he’s fragile and worse every time I call for a visit and she tells me not to come.”

“Give me a name and any information you have, let me use my resources to get a clinical update, not a familial one,” I offered gently.

Cohen’s head snapped my way. “You can do that?”

“I can try,” I said, not wanting to give false hope. It might be an overstep but I was willing to take the risk.

“Maybe call that friend of yours and schedule her an appointment. If she wants us to sit in we can,” Mason suggested. “Otherwise, Cohen, you let us know when you’re ready for us to swing by and see the place. Get our bearings and meet the dogs before we fully send this idea.”

“You can swing by after, I’ll need to let them out anyway,” Cohen said. “Otherwise I’m closed on Sundays and half days Saturdays.”

“Look at her up there,” Ford said, his voice full of amusement.

Avery was talking to the phone with Nash by her side, the two joking and swatting at each other every so often.

We should watch, offer up some likes and comment engagement,” I suggested as I pulled open my PackVlog app. The live was easy to find and I was shocked to see how many comments were rolling through.

“Damn, these comments are thirsty,” Ford snorted, his voice pitching high as he read a few off. “That alpha can boss me around any time. Is he looking for an omega, because I volunteer?”

A comment rolled through that was clearly some asshole who hadn’t had an omega in his life.

“Watch your mouth, that’s my sister,” Nash snapped, deleting the comment. “Blocking his ass and anyone else who says a word about her.”

Mason grunted in approval. “Now watch all the protective alpha comments come in. Avery was genius for putting them as the face of this account.”

“Hey, here’s Cameron,” Avery said, perking up as her other brother stepped in. “That’s my cue to leave you to the chat. Bye, everyone, thanks for hanging with us and don’t hesitate to come in for a drink.”

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