Page 95 of Bonding the Band

“Totally fair. That’s what my mom did. She had a list of top contenders that she completely threw out the window the second they put me in her arms.”

“I’m really eager to meet Nugget, but I’m also scared shitless about it.”

I got my purr going, nuzzling her cheek with mine. “Pretty sure it’s normal to be scared about this. You don’t have to do any of it alone, though. We can all be scared shitless together.”

Meadow drew me into a soft kiss, and then pulled me along to the museum gift shop, where she picked out a magnet for the bus fridge, a stuffed music note for the nugget, and a postcard to send Clover. She filled it out on the spot, and the staff popped it in the mail for her.

“Ready for some more fuel?” I asked.

“Always.”

We settled on some Nashville hot chicken. Meadow nibbled the corner of mine before deciding it was too spicy, and instead she ate all of my fries. We passed the whole day like that, with frequent cuddle and food stops, until she was finally exhausted enough I needed to take her back. If I had my way, I would have hogged her all to myself until I had to leave for the show the next day, but I knew the others would be anxious, and they deserved time with our omega too.

We met the pack at a barbecue restaurant to end our evening. Beckett had rented out the space way in advance, and it was a stop we usually made when we came here. The staff was blessedly chill, which made the experience one we were always happy to repeat. Meadow picked off all of our plates, so she could try the most new things, but she was still full of treats from the day.

When we finally got back to her nest for the night, I helped her strip down and shower off the day. I couldn’t be too luxurious with the minimal water supply, but I made the time last extra by turning off the water while I scrubbed her down, keeping her warm with my body. Once we were both squeaky clean, it was time to get in the nest.

“I really think we should try and cram all of us in there,” said Arlo. “I’m all needy for omega time.”

“We can move a few things,” Meadow conceded, “but none of you are allowed to starfish.”

“I’m pretty sure we all intend to be as close to you as possible,” said Hendrix.

“Okay, but I reserve the right to kick anyone out.”

“You’ve got it, sweets,” I told her. “The nest is your domain.”

“Phin and Hendrix on the inside,” Meadow announced. “We can trade spots tomorrow.”

Beckett frowned, and Arlo full-on pouted, but Meadow was already making her way up to the nest, all of us on her heels.

Today had been the best fucking day. I wanted a thousand more of them,tensof thousands more. I wanted to watch Meadow experience the world and bask in every small joy she could grab, and when the nugget made their outside debut, I knew, without a doubt, that I wanted the same for them. I snuggled around Meadow, Beckett at my back, all of our purrs filling the quiet. This was a perfection I had never experienced before and wanted to savor forever.

Nothing was going to ruin this.

Chapter 37

Meadow

“You haven’t finished your smoothie,” Hendrix admonished as he placed my discarded drink on the table in front of me.

I looked at the green monstrosity with a thinly veiled sneer. “I don’t want to. It tastes like grass clippings.”

“They’re not that bad. They’re quite sweet, actually,” Hendrix said as he lifted his own glass of green goop to his mouth.

I narrowed my eyes at him. “Swap,” I demanded, pushing my cup toward him and stealing his out of his hand before he could complain.

“Sure.” Hendrix shrugged. “Ellie said they’re exactly the same.”

I raised my eyebrows in disbelief. Something told me that Ellie wouldn’t be feeding Hendrix a drink quite as vile as the one she gave me.

I took a cautious sip of Hendrix’s drink, and my eyes widened as sweetness burst across my tongue. My drink wasn’t sweet at all. Mine tasted like earth. Had she added sugar or honey to his? Maybe it had extra fruit.

“This tastes nothing like mine!” I whined.

Hendrix shook his head with a small laugh. “The grass is greener in the other cup?” He smiled, leaning down to kiss me.

I accepted his affection but was still annoyed. “If you’re so sure the drinks are identical, then you wouldn’t mind swapping, would you?”

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