Page 3 of Finding the Forward: Part One
She didwhat?
“No. It’s not unreasonable to see your siblings. Itisunreasonable to ask you to reschedule last minute.” Outrage burst inside me. It was too much like what my older sister’s asshole ex put her through. I was happy Sissy had found herself caring partners.
The woman’s shoulders slumped. “Today wasawful.I’ll be in for it when I get back. I... I’ve never really defied them before.”
“Good job standing up for yourself. Will your siblings you’re visiting help you? How many are you?” The poor thing looked defeated and overworked. Probably still lived at home. Unfortunately, her tale wasn’t that unusual. It seemed like beta kids always ended up taking on extra responsibilities in big families.
“We’re ten kids, six parents. I... I have to go back eventually. Summer just started for me. I’m in a PhD program for plant genetics. Well, for now. The professor I’m doing my research under is leaving for another university, and my funding’s being pulled.” Her eyes squeezed tight as she took a deep breath. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. Sorry. It’s been a right shitty day.”
Plant genetics? Shit. I’d never graduated university and struggled to keep my grades high enough to stay on the hockey team.
“I’m number four of sixteen kids, so I understand.” I’d grown up in an enormous pack in Boston. Sissy bore the brunt of it, but I’d done as much as I could. I still did.
“Big families unite.” Her phone rang. She scowled at it. “My trip was on the calendar. Things have really gone to shit since Mom went to jail last year.”
Um, what? Well then.
The flight attendant reappeared, looking remorseful. “Apologies, but this plane is full. Would you like another flight tomorrow and a partial refund for the inconvenience, Miss?”
She hung her head in defeat. “If I don’t get on this flight, I’m not going to Rockland. I...”
“Sit with me, Kitten.” It felt like a dick move to make her wait to fly until tomorrow, when I had an empty seat next to me. Especially given her circumstances. It wasn’t her fault the airline fucked up.
Relief crossed the flight attendant’s face. “Thank you, Sir. I’ll get you a refund and some extra loyalty points. Now, please sit so the flight can take off.” She hurried off.
The woman stared at the seat; eyebrows furrowed. “I wouldn’t want to disrupt your luck. It’s a big game, isn’t it?”
It was the biggest game. Shit, the fact that she weighed her safety against my luck broke my heart.
“It’ll be fine. I’ll play even better.” Hopefully. I played off my apprehension with a grin. “Just don’t sit on Lucky.”
“Lucky?” She blinked.
“My invisible cat. The one that needs the other seat.” I nodded my head toward it. It was a clever idea, and I could have a lot of fun with it.
She laughed, then frowned. “Are you sure?”
“Of course.” The more we talked, the more I felt drawn to her, like we were magnets. The guys and I weren’t ready to add to our pack. Shit, we hadn’t even officially formed one yet. Still...
No. It was me projecting. Me wanting to protect the frightened little kitten from the assholes that were scaring her the way I’d protected people all my life.
“If you insist. Thank you. I appreciate your kindness.” She stowed her bag and sat down.
The flight attendant brought four drinks, setting two on each armchair table, along with a pile of snacks.
The woman picked one up, delighted. “Oooh. These are free?”
“First time flying first class? The first time I did, I stuffed my bag full.” I’d been with Dean and his parents. It had been my first time on a plane. They hadn’t made fun of me. Instead, they’d asked for more, knowing I wanted to take them home and share them with my siblings.
“Yep. Big Sis has a rich pack.” She rummaged in her purse and frowned. Pulling something out, she swallowed it with her drink. Probably something to take the edge off the flight.
She patted the air beside her. “Are you okay, Lucky? Such a good kitty.”
You can pet me anytime, Kitten.What was I thinking? I wasn’t going to fuck some random woman on the plane. Not to mention, she was emotionally fragile.
Still, she drew me to her, and it was beyond her catching my eye.
“He’s great,” I told her. My nose wrinkled as she belted herself in. She reeked of alpha anger and chemical de-scenter. I couldn’t tell what her actual scent was. Not that my nose was very good–I’d taken too many pucks to the face.
