Page 100 of Players and Pages
The sun was still high in the sky but it was starting to feel like an autumn breeze was coming in. Just enough to chase away the humidity.
The guys were greeted as much as I was, but it wasn’t for their baseball careers. It was because in this town they were starting to make a name for themselves.
Just like Taryn’s pack did. If that didn’t scream fate, I don’t know what would.
The grocery store was a quick walk. At least we had enough hands to carry everything back.
"When we get home I’m changing into something more comfortable. Then I’ll season the meat and start on the sides while you guys get the chairs set up.” I wasn’t trying to be bossy, but making a plan was helping me to feel a bit more in control.
Something I severely needed tonight.
"Sounds like a plan," Cy promised. "Do we need anything else besides the meat and macaroni ingredients?"
"Maybe some drinks and ice? I have enough plates and napkins at home," I answered.
"Perfect. Jackson, you come with me. Griff keep eyes on our girl," he ordered, serious now. “I don’t want to linger here for too long. My alpha is still on edge.”
Griff gave him a low growl in response. I’d take that as he felt the same.
"Easy there boy," I joked, patting him on the arm. “Let’s go. You get me to yourself for a bit.”
"I like the sound of that,” he practically purred, burying his face in my neck. “Let’s sneak off.”
“Behave, you two,” Jackson said as Cy dragged him away.
“Come on, we have time for that tonight,” I reassured him. “We need to hurry before the others beat us home.”
"Yeah and little Liam will be waiting for his Uncle Griff," he said with a small laugh.
"Who knew that you had a soft spot for babies?" At first, he was the most awkward with the twins. Now he was just as good with them as I was.
"Don’t act like you don’t love it, omega.” He raised a brow as he added a pack of steak to the basket.
"I do. Until you hog that sweet little boy," I said, bumping my hip into his.
Thoughts of Henry slipped away as we shopped. It was so easy to be around my pack. Plus, we were going back to have dinner with what I now considered my family. Something I never had before Willow Lake.
Grannies. Older brothers in my besties pack. ‘Packs’ when Bea found hers because I had no doubt they’d be just as perfect.
And my own pack that knew me better than myself.
“You seem happy,” Griff noted as he grabbed the pack of ribs I pointed to, adding it to the growing pile. We were definitely going to have leftovers.
“I am,” I admitted. “Despite all the bad, I can’t get over the feeling of having a family like this. That you guys are as amazing as you are. You protect me and you even sought out Henry to make sure this stops. I’m just… happy. I never had this much support.”
“Your family is the one missing out. I learned a long time ago there are two types of families. Neither one is wrong, as long as everyone is happy. We all deserve to feel accepted and supported. You give us that, too,” he said. We’d stopped walking and he was facing me now. His fingers ghosted over my cheek before tucking a stray curl behind my ear. His dark blue eyes were shining with the same happiness I felt through the bond.
Then two more alphas sent the same feeling back, adding to ours until I felt like I could burst.
No matter what happened, I knew I at least had them.
Shopping wrapped up quickly and we raced home as fast as we could walk. The guys were amazing, splitting up tasks and rushing around to get the house in order. Cy and Griff handled the patio while Jackson was helping me.
We turned on music and his voice soon filled the air, singing to the old country song as I sprinkled seasoning on the meat.Our counter was lined in baking sheets covered in meat at this point.
I started to sing along but a yawn hit me hard. It was a long day, but why was I so tired?
“Jackson?” I asked as my head spun. My fingers clung to the counter as my vision blurred.
