Page 83 of Finding the Forward: Part One
“Hi.” Grif reached across the aisle and squeezed my hand.
I squeezed it back. “Hey, Tiger. No more sitting solo?”
“Nope. Turns out my lucky charm was sitting with someone I care about.” He gave me a smoldering look.
Smooth, Grif.
“Are you going to be okay? Did you take anything for the flight?” Grif added. “I’m right here.”
“I will. Do you have any water? I forgot my water bottle at home,” I asked him.
Grif handed me a water bottle as Dean shot me a concerned look.
“She’s a nervous flier,” Grif explained. “I’m right here.”
Not having alpha-blockers when flying washard.Especially when flying with mostly alphas. Though what my doctor prescribed helped. I’d started laying off the de-scenting spray if I was just on campus or with the team, which didn’t really help either.
Me, Dean, and Grif chatted softly over the aisle as the plane took off. As we reached altitude, the flight attendant took drink orders. Leaning out, I looked down the aisle to see if I could see my sister.
“She’s fine,” Dimitri told me, headphones on.
Carlos passed out pink under eye masks. Good idea, I had some in my bag. A bunch of people had game buddies. They probably played each other in go-goKart, a racing game, while flying. There were a lot of team members I didn’t know, too.
A burst of laughter in the back caught my attention, one being my sister’s. Good.
Jonas handed my phone back to me. “They’re all fuckers.”
“They’re excellent at making me feel like shit. Is it wrong to think that if they were going to use my cow money for hospital bills they should tell me? At the very least so that I could let the farm know. I feel awful about it.” The parents always messed with my head.
My little brother Chance had gotten really sick around that same time, and he needed something not covered by insurance. I didn’t mind; I just wanted to be informed.
Jonas shook his head. “No. It’s not wrong. I’m sure AJ’s sister understands. She loves the mini cows, and AJ’s nieces have adopted them. I saw them yesterday.”
“Oh, good. They were too stinking cute to pass up.” I was pretty proud of that, and the goats, too.
“Are the parents coming to see Mercy play?” He glanced back to where the three Maimers’ rookies sat.
“No.” I shook my head. “But my older brother and sister are already there.”
Mercy felt let down given how big this was for her. I was disappointed in them, too. She was seventeen and still needed her parents, regardless of how they felt about her life choices.
The flight attendant brought our drinks, and I sipped mine.
“You know I’m not mad at you, right? I’m just looking out for my pack. You need to believe in yourself, Verity.” Jonas’ voice was quiet as he took a drink.
“I’m trying to be the alpha Grif needs.” I’d had several long conversations with the alphas in my life that weren’t assholes.Yeah, I’ve got this.
“Good. You sent cows to AJ’s office? Now, that’s how you do it.” Jonas looked... proud. Then his expression grew serious. “You still have to fix things with him.”
“I know.” I bowed my head. It was my fault. I should’ve pressed to meet him.
Jonas took his fingers and tipped my chin up. “No.”
“Yes, Alpha Jonas.” I smirked, liking how that felt.Harder.
“Nowthat’smy little alpha.” He beamed as his mossy scent flared.
All the breath left my body. What was going on here?
