Page 38 of Waiting for Fate
Stomping into my bedroom, I hear footsteps following me. When they stop, I look back to find Ridley leaning against my open bedroom door in that sexy way men do, with one arm resting on the top of the frame and his muscular arms and torso on display. The slick flooding between my legs begs me to pull him inside and ride his knot until I can barely remember my name, but my frustration and concern for my best friend quickly drowns the feeling out.
“We’re going to my parents,” I tell him as I grab a bag from my closet and start tossing clothes inside. Yesterday, he and Lex had shown up at our apartment and announced the DAU was assigning them to guard us full time. Apparently, there’s been word from New Hampshire. Omen’s birth family has found her identity, putting us both in danger of being captured by their lackeys. I’m over the bullshit. Someone needs to tear that stupid fucking cult apart already.
“You want me to meet your folks?”
Glancing at him over my shoulder, I see the overly pleased grin on his handsome face, and roll my eyes. Maybe I want to introduce him to my family, but more than anything, I need out of this damn apartment. “Make sure Lex knows it is only the two of them until we have to leave for Boston next week.”
An hour later, we’re in my car and headed upstate. Ridley’s behind the wheel, jamming along to every song I play through the speakers. The pinching in my chest lessens the further away we get.
We’re halfway home when I remember to text my parents and let them know we are coming. They might not all be home today, but they should return tomorrow.
Mom is standing on the porch when we pull in. Ridley slides out of the driver’s seat and immediately locks the car. I scowl at him, tossing my hands up in question as he rounds the front. He only unlocks my door when he’s close enough to pull it open for me.
Ridiculous men and their need to impress people with chivalrous gestures! His grin only grows when I knock my elbow against his stomach on my way past him. Damn his toned abs for hurting me when I’m trying to knock some sense into this alpha!
“This is a wonderful surprise,” Mom says, beaming as she glances between me and Ridley. “Welcome to our home, Mr. Hale.”
“Ridley, please. No need for formality among family.”
Mom’s eyes widen and I groan, my head falling back to look up at the sky so I can beg for patience. This man is going to be the death of me if he continues to insist I’m his and doesn’t fucking claim me. I will lose my mind without his bite on my neck and his bond in my chest. Patience is not a strong suit for most omegas, especially not with our mates.
“Well, come on in. It’s only me and Bea’s dad, Austin, at home right now. Phoenix took Forrest out for date night, so they won’t be back until tomorrow.”
Ridley wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling me inside of my childhood home. He fits in here, charming my mother and Pops with ease. It’s frustratingly attractive and I can’t do a single thing about it!
“Poor timing,” Pops says as he pulls a tray of roasted asparagus from the oven. “This year’s firework display is postponed until next Saturday thanks to all this rain.”
His words draw my eyes to the wall of windows at the back of the house. Tiny raindrops trail down the glass as it continues to pour down from the sky. A little over a mile beyond the back porch is a large lakeside community. The closer you get to the shore, the higher the value of the houses. Growing up here made my house the go-to spot for all my middle and high school friends to meet up to go out for Halloween. The lake houses go all out for the holidays and they give out the best candy!
They also put on a huge fireworks display every Fourth of July. With my parents’ house sitting on the hill up from the lake, we have the perfect view from our backyard. I’m kind of sad there won’t be a magical show tomorrow, but we may still be here to see them on Saturday.
“Not that you aren’t always welcome to stay with us whenever you wish, but why are you here? We thought after spending the past month on the road, you’d want to settle into your apartment.” Mom’s interrogation starts a few minutes into eating. The dining room is too quiet with just the four of us here, and I know I won’t get away with not answering. Maybe they’ll have some advice about Omen’s spiral I hadn’t considered on my own.
Y’know, except for leaving her be, because that’s bullshit. No one should suffer alone.
Ridley slips his hand onto my thigh, squeezing lightly. His presence steadies me enough to explain what’s been going on with my best friend and adopted sister. Mom and Pops look as concerned as I feel. They both consider Omen to be their second daughter.
“She’s refusing to speak about what happened before this spiral started?” Mom asks. I nod and she frowns. “Does anyone else on the tour have any ideas about the cause?”
“No. We asked the pack she’s been seeing, Pack Graves, but they seemed more equally confused. She’s shut us all out.”
“You might not want to hear this,” Mom starts, narrowing her eyes when I try to speak. I pinch my lips together and listen. “Leave her be. There is a show in Boston next week? Bully her into taking care of herself then. She may need time to deal with everything on her own before she lets someone help through it.”
“I—ugh! Fine! Only until the festival in Boston. Then she’s going to tell me what is going on. I will not stand idly by while she falls apart.”
“None of us will,” Pops promises before he shifts the conversation elsewhere, leaving me to stew in my frustration.
“I played baseball throughout middle and high school, and at the Alpha Academy.” Tuning back in to Ridley talking about his sports career, I have to count to one hundred to stop myself from picturing him in the tight pants baseball players wear.
Do not perfume at the dinner table, Bea!
My internal scolding thankfully works, but I tuck the image away for later.
“Ohio has some amazing baseball players,” Pops comments.
Ridley laughs, his hand rubbing up and down my thigh and not helping my current swing towards horny instead of worried. “Yeah, it was pretty wild being on a team back then. I played against a few of the major league players on the team out of Medley Falls. They were insanely good, and watching them on TV it’s clear to see they’ve only gotten better.”
“It was a damn shame Elio Standen hurt his shoulder two years ago. Their team hasn’t been the same without him.”
