Page 86 of Bonding the Band

“Fucking finally.” Arlo grinned. “I smell my omega and tacos, officially the two best scents in the world.”

Meadow laughed and accepted a kiss from each of them. Even with all of the chaos going on outside those doors, it was oddly peaceful to be tucked away back here with all of them. Meadow inhaled her quesadilla, slathering each bite in liberal servings of sour cream and salsa. I ate my weight in buffalo chicken taquitos, sucking back an unhealthy amount of cola to accompany it.

Our omega was purring up a storm once her stomach was finally full. She picked at a chocolate cinnamon brownie, nibbling the confection until everyone was well-fed and security informed us we were safe to return to the bus.

We would be moving on to Richmond overnight, and hopefully the movement would rock us to sleep.

“I feel like an old lady,” Meadow said as we ascended the stairs to her nest. “My feet hurt from standing, and I was ready for bed five hours ago.”

“You’re growing a whole human,” Arlo pointed out. “That sounds exhausting.”

“Itis. I just wanna nap all the time.”

“Luckily you have a mobile nest. You can nap whenever you want.” Beckett helped her out of her dress, and Phin brushed her hair for her before she finally succumbed to her exhaustion.

“Decide between yourselves who’s in here tonight.”

Arlo and I locked eyes, both yelling, “Dibs!”

“That’s not fair,” Phin lamented.

“Should’ve been faster.” Arlo was already stripping down and crawling into the nest with her.

“Better luck next time.” I waved to Phin and Beckett, discarding my clothes and sliding in along Meadow’s back, snuggling as close as I could possibly get.

Heaven had a location, and it was right fucking here.

Chapter 34

Meadow

September, Richmond

“Hendrix said you don’t like Ellie?” Gary asked, cornering me on the bus while my pack was occupied.

“Um, I just wanted to have a look at the other applications, see if there was someone else I might be more comfortable with.”

Gary narrowed his eyes. “That’s fucking inconsiderate of you. Ellie put aside her whole life to be here to help you. How many medical professionals do you think are available to drop everything at a moment’s notice to go on tour to babysit you because you insist on being here, instead of at home, where you could get regular care?”

“I…I guess not many.” I bit my lip to keep it from wobbling.

“Exactly. You’re already making everything more difficult for everyone. Don’t be pulling the diva act because you want your doula to be your best friend. Be realistic, and maybe try being grateful we’ve all been this accommodating so far.” He stared me down. “Do you still want to see the other applications, or are you going to be a reasonable adult?”

I swallowed hard. “I’m fine, thanks.”

“Good.” He left me alone, and I booked it straight to the nest, so I didn’t start crying in the middle of the bus.

I heard Ellie come in to make me lunch, but I didn’t acknowledge her. Instead, I dialed Clover immediately, pouring it all out to her while I was curled around one of my numerous pillows.

“I always thought I was easygoing, but I swear, Clo, Gary and Ellie are testing my self-restraint,” I grumbled.

Ellie called up that my salad would be ready soon.

A salad. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t opposed to the occasional salad. Salads could be amazing when they contained proteins and veggies and croutons and all of the amazing things, like dressing.

Ellie’s salads were bland and tasted like the produce was still coated in dirt from the ground. There were no toppings, no dressing, and nojoy. The baby didn’t want me to eat leaves. The baby wanted carbs. And meat. And deep-fried treats.

“Order a burger!” Clover said. She was standing in our dorm room, rummaging through a pile of laundry. “Hell, I’ll order it for you.”

---