Page 179 of Finding the Forward: Part Two
“Hey, since we’re adding you and Mercy to the pack, and Grif is now out, we’re going to change his designation in the charter. Grif’s insistent that he doesn’t need an asset, but legally we need one. Want to help me pick?” he offered as the popcorn popped.
I got busy stirring the pot, anxiety in my belly. Right, Grif’s omega asset. “Um, I… I can’t afford an island.”
“Who’s giving their omega anisland? Never mind, your sister got one, didn’t she?” He laughed as he put some butter in a tiny bowl.
“They wanted to get her a beach house and they let Spencer choose it. So, he picked one that came with its own island. She thought it was ridiculous, but from the pictures, it looks lovely,” I replied, as I kept whisking.
“I was thinking of this.” He showed me a picture of a beautiful piano with elaborate inlaid wood geometric designs on it. “We could put it in the Boston house. It’s an iconic antique and I’ve been watching for it to go for sale for years. Don’t worry about contributing. It’s from the pack, not you and me. There’s a difference.” He kissed my neck, soothing thoughts coming through the bond.
“It’s beautiful.” I examined the photo. Grif would adore it.
He took the bowl out of the microwave, now full of fluffy kernels. Then he poured butter over it and salted it.
“I… I could buy a fancy seat cushion. Perhaps with embroidered griffins on it?” I had a friend from university that could make him something exquisite.
“Absolutely. I’ll set the popcorn on the table and put in an offer.” Taking the bowl, he put it on the coffee table and got on his phone.
I added some vanilla and a dash of cinnamon to the hot chocolate and took it off the heat, pouring it into the waiting cups, then adding marshmallows. One at a time, I brought the mugs into the living room and put them on the table with the popcorn.
My phone rang with a video call. Mercy.
“Hi, are you okay?” My heart raced as I sank into the soft couch, which was full of slightly dusty pillows and blankets.
What had happened? How terrible of a sister was I?
“Areyouokay? That was quite the trip to Drillville you had there. Is the poon palace nice?” Mercy laughed. She looked okay and seemed to be sitting in the Maimers’ dining room at the training center.
“Let’s not call the cabin thepoon palace.It’s more like thepenetration station. I… I’m okay. I ache, but I’ll be fine. Yes, I already scheduled a checkup.” I popped a kernel in my mouth.
“Good. I’m taking care of business here. I haven’t even let Hale take your car.” She looked proud of herself.
“Thanks for that. What happened? I have a bunch of texts from Hale and Dare.” I braced for the worst as I took a sip of very hot chocolate.
She snorted. “Those weirdos. I’ve been fine while you’ve been at the boom boom room. Okay, so Dare had to go back to Boston for some orchestra thing he forgot about. Hale was supposed to come for the weekend and stay with me, but he got delayed because of work. And I awakened as an alpha with both of them gone and now they feel like jerks. But I’mfine.Honestly, it was better that they weren’t there.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry I wasn’t around–and that they weren’t around either. Were you at practice, at least, where there were other alphas?” I remembered how freaked out I was.
“It was Gwennifer. Unlike your teammates back at Marquess, she knew exactly what to do. Because she plays hockey and has been through it a billion times. Anyhow, she was there for me,” Mercy told me. “Don’t you dare feel bad about it. You can take me out for a fancy dinner or something to celebrate.”
Oh, it happened? And I wasn’t there?
At least someone was.
“We will absolutely do that. Any place you want. It can be just us, or we can invite whoever,” I told her as AJ came back to the couch and held up the remote. I nodded as he turned it on and browsed the recorded games.
“Hmmm, I like it being us and the guys. Maybe Hale and Dare? I don’t know. I’ll think about it. Probably I’d rather have a big, blowout, excellent eighteenth party. Maybe with a tattoo artist,” she replied, tapping her chin with a sparkly painted finger.
I blinked. “Um, sure? I mean, I got a tattoo when I awakened.”
“Yeah, that’s where I got the idea. Gwen and I got tattoos like you did. Her artist is amazing. She showed me the flash sheet she was making for a wedding, and now I want her for my party. It’ll be better than a blowjob from a dinosaur.” Mercy sounded very excited.
“You got a tattoo?” My eyebrows rose.
AJ turned and gave me a look. Then he nodded to the screen with the game he brought up. I nodded back.Good choice.
“A little one, like you did. It’s what alpha females do, right? Well, the cool ones. Pretty much every lady alpha on my team got one when they awakened. I got skate smash skates on my ankle. I got Gwen a little ladybug on her foot. The artist is part of the Brooklyn Blankets and did a smash-up job,” she gushed as she moved the phone and took off her sock, showing off the little design.
“It’s cute,” I told her. “It might be a day or two before we get back because of the snow. You’re okay? Do we need Grace or Creed?”
