Page 79 of Begrudgingly Yours
Dax (4:00 pm): Done. And my choice is The Hunger Games
Rory (4:02 pm): It’s the perfect line up. Everett?
Everett (4:03 pm): I already got the cherry coke
Rory (4:04 pm): Thank you
“I can’t believe you’ve had a scent match all this time and you didn’t tell us,” Harland grumbles through the speaker as his jaw tenses on my screen. Shiloh reaches over and grips our friend’s jaw in his hands, moving it side to side to loosen it.
The laugh that escapes me is nostalgic. Seeing their joking faces takes me back to high school, when their joy was the only thing helping me get through the day.
“Well, she has said that exact same thing,” I reply. “I’m surprised she forgave me.”
“You and us both!” Shiloh exclaims, his smile bright. “Maybe it’s that whole mysterious thing you have going on. Does she know yet that you’re actually a big nerd?”
I flip him off as the car I ordered comes from around the corner. When I confirm it’s the correct driver, I hop into the backseat and look back to my screen. “I’m sure she does. Anyway, how’s the production going?”
Harland’s face lights up as he jumps into all the exciting things they’ve been doing. My two friends are the most talented people I know, which is why it came to no surprise that they both landed their Broadway debuts last month. They speak over each other to tell me all about it: the costumes, rehearsals,some of their co-workers who are actually big names in the business. Shiloh says he still has to pinch himself every time they walk into the building.
Their happiness is palpable even through the phone. The way they look at each other seems warmer, too. More aware. They’ve both been so focused on their dreams, I think they’ve let other parts of their lives fall to the side. As someone who has been their third-wheel for years, I’m hoping they will finally acknowledge their feelings for each other sometime soon. It’s been a long time coming, but I can’t be the one to break the ice. If there’s anything I’ve learned from pursuing Rory, it’s that things take time.
“It sounds like a dream. For you two, of course,” I tease.
“Yeah, yeah,” Harland laughs. “So, are you moving out of the dorms soon? Packs aren’t allowed on campus, right?”
I nod. “Eventually. I’m on my way to their place now actually. I wanted to show Everett that his help has paid off.”
A part of me still can’t believe that the past few weeks were real. Even as I stare down at my glowing grade from my latest Statistics test, I’m still wondering if I’ve imagined the turn of events that have happened since this semester started.
As a pack, we’ve prioritized courting Rory in between our busy school schedules. At first, I thought it would be difficult to fully focus on our omega and continue our school work, but it’s been a breeze. We have scheduled dates between us and it’s been an absolute blast not only having my own precious time with my scent match, but to hear about her time with the other two. I’ve dreamt of her giving me the time of day for years, and now I’m even more excited that she has this kind of connection with my pack mates.
It feels like kismet. Like all four of us were kindred spirits looking for each other and now everything has fallen into place.
Our day-to-day has been seamless. Despite our rehearsals,dates, making sure to see our friends, and not to mention Everett and Dax’s million extracurricular activities, we always find time for each other. We’ve created a family together, one that I’ve always wanted. I may have gotten emotional a few times over the past week because of it.
Dax loves to spoil Rory. It took her a few tries to get used to it, but I think she’s been embracing her omega more and more, letting her preen whenever we give them both any kind of attention. I love seeing her eyes light up every time she opens up another one of Dax’s ridiculous gifts. Of course, he always sneaks in a sentimental one to surprise her. Her eyes nearly darted out of her head when he gave her a few more acclaimed movie posters—already framed—to add to her collection.
He informed me that no matter where we move, we have to reserve an entire wall for them—just for her. I had zero arguments about that.
Everett’s version of quality time is teaching Rory how to skate. She loves it and treats it like she’s training for a role (of course). She’ll always be prepared for any kind of audition. I’m sure there will be countless times that she’ll come home and ask us to learn another random trade with her so she can get into character. It’s one of the things I love most about her.
Everett offered to teach me, too, but I had to decline. I have two left feet and neither of them are fit for skates. Falling face-first on ice sounds horrible.
Even though Rory’s house is the most private, we’re meeting at Alpha Xi tonight for our movie marathon. It’s going to be amazing when we have our own place, but I won’t lie and say I won’t miss seeing the guys. There’s so many of them and they’re always there working or playing video games, and I know Dax and Everett are thinking about it heavily. They spend as much time as they can chilling with their frat brothers since it’ll happen less and less next semester.
“This entire pack thing is wild to us,” Shiloh laughs. “You met your pack brother fromtutoring. That’s hilarious.”
“The fact that you even sought out afraternityfor help,” Harland adds. “I bet you’re not prejudice to Greek houses now.”
“No, they’re actually wonderful,” I say with pride. “It humbled me. I am humbled. All three of us, we’re just pretentious nerds.”
My car comes to a stop and I get out, giving my friends one last smile. “I’m here, actually. I promise I’ll call you again soon.”
“You better. We’ve missed you,” Shiloh says, his tone turning into his usual sappiness. Harland grumbles, his equivalent to a heartfelt goodbye. “We’ll talk soon.”
I walk into Alpha Xi—without knocking because it’s a habit now apparently—and immediately run into Pack Pearson talking with Sam and Thatcher. They have their serious expressions on, which I am finally getting used to. I always pictured frat guys as unserious, party maniacs, but these guys have helped change that perspective, especially Sam. He’s always working on something and Thatcher is always helping him. It’s weird to remember that he doesn’t even live at Alpha Xi anymore because he’s always here doing stuff. But then again, he is the president.
“Jett!” Ciro is the first to greet me and I smile at the beta. Ciro is the closest to a typical frat guy I’ve met, besides Dax himself. His kindness is probably the only difference.
