Page 85 of Talk About… Secrets
They continued talking about nursery ideas while I focused on my garden painting. I added a few more flowers before painting some bees and butterflies. I wanted to give it life.
I was startled when I heard more cars pulling in, not expecting a full-blown brigade.
“Since we couldn’t bring you to the cookout next weekend because of bed rest, we decided to bring it to you thisweek!” Avery said excitedly.
All the girls outside of Hailey and me, stood up and rushed to greet their packs and usher everyone in. Even Nolan had pulled up at the end, looking more than a little overwhelmed.
“Poor Nolan,” I laughed. “He’s not used to all this.”
“Well, he better get used to it,” Hailey said, shaking her head. “If we’re going to be living in Rockwood Valley, then he needs to know this is normal Rockwood behavior.”
“Wait, what do you mean?” I asked, freezing. It was something I’d dreamt of and I was afraid to let myself hope.
She looked up at me. “Half the reason I didn’t call as much the last few months was because I was trying to get myself together. I hated that I wasn’t home, and I was terrified that if I talked to you, everything would fall apart.
“Oh, Hailey,” I choked out. My heart broke for her. That was exactly how I would have felt if I’d gone with the others to the city.
“I should have known my alpha would never want me to be that unhappy. Finally, he begged me to tell him what was going on. I explained how much I missed home, missed you. Especially with the babies coming.” She smiled as she ran a hand over her stomach. “He practically demanded we find a new place here. Mine was way too small for a family, but we’re staying in it for now, and we’re here for good.”
My tears were running halfway through her story. I didn’t even have words, I just crushed her into a hug.
“I can’t even tell you how much I missed you,” I admitted, my voice cracking. “I didn’t know how I was going to do this without you.”
“Unfortunately for us, we’re due around the same time. I swear, if we go into labor on the same day...”
She shook her head. “It’ll be chaos.”
“If not, you know I’ll be there for you.”
“Same,” she said. “I wanted you and Nolan to be in there with me. But if that can’t happen, at least we’ll have the support when we get home, right?”
“Just a few people,” I said dryly, looking pointedly at the growing crowd.
Mama Whitaker was already making a beeline toward us, Charlie at her heels. The alpha she found was incredible, and he’d embraced all the chaos just like Nolan would.
Honestly, maybe he could be an ally for the younger alpha.
“Look at my girls,” Mama Whitaker gushed as she helped us to our feet, giving us each one of those warm mom hugs she gave out.
Then she eyeballed me. “Hey, no more scares, okay? You had all of us worried.”
“Don’t worry. The pack is making sure that I behave,” I grumbled playfully.
Avery walked up with her guys, Arden raising an eyebrow at me. I had purposely not chosen him at the clinic since he was not only Hailey’s boss, but Avery’s Alpha. But it seemed word spread fast.
“I hear you’re quite the troublemaker,” he teased.
“Dr. Clark is making sure I don’t cause any more trouble,” I reassured him.
“As far as I know, you’re still on bed rest. Let’s get you somewhere more comfortable,” he said.
Before he could reach out to help me walk, my pack was already there. He let out a chuckle and raised his hands. “Sorry. The doctor in me just wanted to make sure she was good.”
“Thanks,” I told him, Avery and I sharing a smile. There was no jealousy there. She knew I didn’t want her alpha, and he didn’t want me. Usually, omegas were territorial, but thankfully, since we were like sisters, our packs became more like siblings by association.
Beckett and Drew helped me over to the patio table before everyone else got to work bringing out more tables, putting on tablecloths, and loading them with food. Sidney cranked up the music on a speaker now, so it echoed across the lawn.
I waved Spencer down, worried about the cats. “Did anyone secure the kittens? I don’t want them running off when someone opens the door. You know with this many people, they’re going to be in and out.”
