Page 175 of Knot That Serious

“You look so happy, Tiny, that’s all I really have to say,” he said softly. “Good for you, kid,” he told Jack, nodding his head over her shoulder.

“Thanks, Mike,” she said.

“I knew you guys would figure it out one day,” he said with a smile.

Not this again.

He propped a boot against the tree and lifted the lighter to the joint. It was at this unfortunate moment that Eli vividly remembered she used to have a crush on Jack’s dad.

Her cheeks went bright red as pure mortification filled her in a too-hot wave. Oh, god. If anyone were to find out teenage Eli had the hots for Jack’s dad—

No, it’s fine. No one would know—

Her gaze slid to Jack, who was tilting his head at her, probably wondering what the fucking flood of emotions was about. Eli shoved them deep, accidentally shutting Jack out a bit, but—no way.

How embarrassing. It had just been one of those teenage crushes, you know—they were all innocent. But considering she was now in love with Jack and bonded to him, maybe it gave the crush a little more merit.

Jesus.

The joint could not make its way to her fast enough, and she happily pulled on the end of it for a good hit before she passed it to her right.

Beckett and Raj only passed it down, deciding not to partake and drink alcohol.

The high smoothed out any remaining anxieties, and eventually they were splitting up to mingle and meet everyone they had missed the first round. Raj stuck by her side while Beckett went with Jack, and then somehow she ended up with Beckett while Raj and Jack disappeared.

“Where’d they go?” she asked, craning her neck around the yard to search for them.

Beckett shrugged, sipping his beer. “I dunno, but I’m sure they’ll be back.”

Food was served, and Raj and Jack magically appeared just in time, of course.

There was everything you’d expect at a family potluck, and as they ate, Eli couldn’t help but glance around at her mom and her pack, and Jack’s mom and her pack. This was a really special day, everyone coming together like this, and Eli was suddenly so grateful that she’d found her own alphas.

Finally, some might say.

Jack squeezed her knee beneath the picnic table on the deck, and she dropped her hand to squeeze him back. He leaned closer, and Eli tilted her head at him so he could whisper in her ear.

“Wanna sneak off and show Beckett and Raj the tree house?”

Her eyes went wide in excitement, memories flashing through her mind of the many childhood days spent playing around it. “Hell. Yes,” she whispered back.

The sun was setting by the time everyone finished eating, and the dads were all gathered around the fire to oversee the flames.

Eli sidled up to her mom and bumped her with her elbow. “I think Jack and I are going to go check out the treehouse, show it to Beckett and Raj.”

The little bunch between her brows was a classic mom frown. “Well, be careful,” she said.

Eli snickered and pulled her in for a hug. “Be back in a bit, promise.”

She practically skipped away and found Beckett and Raj and Jack all waiting by the fence gate that led to the front yard.

“Ready?” Jack asked, and unlatched the gate to swing it open.

Eli walked through with a grin. “Hell yes.”

As much as she loved seeing everyone, a small breather with just her guys would be amazing.

Raj threw his arm over her shoulder as they walked. He was a little loosey goosey from the alcohol, and it was downright adorable.

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