Page 27 of Talk About… Trouble

He sighed with the same contentment as he locked the door behind us. Grace was smiling like a mad woman as we stepped out, hand in hand, doing a little dance but not bothering to say anything. She simply climbed in the front seat and turned on the car.

“Go sit up front so she doesn’t complain,” Devon said, giving me one last squeeze before his hand fell away and he climbed in behind her. I walked around and settled into the passenger seat.

“I’m turning on music so I don’t ask inappropriate questions,” she said bluntly, cranking up the radio so music wasblasting through the speakers. No omega could resist the car karaoke that was happening within seconds.

I belted out every word, holding an invisible mic and car dancing. We didn’t care what anyone said or thought, we just lived in the moment.

And it felt so fucking good.

It felt freeing and amazing, hopeful even. That this life I was forging here was not just the right move, but my saving grace.

I didn’t have to pretend to be okay and that I wasn’t drowning under the weight of my trauma. Here, I could exist and let go of it instead. Find this new verison of myself who flirted with sexy omegas and belted out lyrics with her whole soul.

Healing. That’s what this was.

When we pulled up to Whitaker Ranch, my cheeks were flushed from all the singing and dancing and we all were in an amazing mood.

I couldn't even find it in me to worry about meeting Avery’s mom. Not when I felt like this.

Avery met us outside, laughing as Grace rolled down the window and finished the next song, joining in from her spot.

Grace shut the car off right as the final notes finished and we finally climbed out.

“Your shared apartment has to be so much fun,” Avery said as we joined her on the porch. “Now, bring that energy inside.”

“Is everything okay with Mama Whitaker?” Grace asked. Avery laughed and nodded.

“Oh yeah, her boyfriend just had his brothers visit so it was alpha central and she’s dying for some omega time. Plus, I think we keep her feeling young,” she explained, dragging me inside with her. “Mama, they’re here!”

A woman who looked a lot like Avery popped out of a door down the hall. She was smiling bright, laugh lines around her eyes and her hair piled on top of her head in a messy bun. Shebarely looked old enough to have kids as old as Avery and the triplets.

“You can just call me Mama Whitaker. I’ve accepted that’s just my name around this town,” she joked. “Hope you’re hungry. Avery left the alphas in charge of feeding us, and I swear they are insane.”

She turned and we followed down the hall to the kitchen. I expected to find the food but she was busy clearing off counters and the huge kitchen island.

“They’ll be here soon,” she said, laughing at our confusion. “Now, I know Grace. Who is this?”

“This is my bestie from the city, Wren,” Avery said, not afraid to claim me. Maybe Mama Whitaker had a really good poker face or Avery was right about no one holding the betrayal against me.

Instead, she shocked the hell out of me by pulling me into a hug. “Thank you for watching out for my baby all those years.”

“She looked out for me just as well,” I said, relief hitting me. “Avery is amazing.”

“That she is,” Mama Whitaker agreed before leaning in and pitching her voice low. “And so are you. We’re all here for you. Anything you need. You’re family now, Wren. We watch out for our own out here, too.”

“Thank you,” I managed to get out. The hug and her words were more genuine than my family could ever dream of.

I think I needed a hug like that more than I could have realized. Avery simply looked pleased as Mama Whitaker released me. She leaned in, bumping her hip gently to mine.

“See, Mama is just happy you’re here and safe,” she promised. Loud voices and the thudding of car doors slamming closed echoed in the house and she laughed. “And that would be my brothers. They aren’t the subtle type.”

Oh god. Nash. The one who made a video defending me. I wasn’t sure what to think of him last time.

They came in like a wrecking ball. Loud voices and arms piled high with food and takeout boxes.

Maverick, Cameron, and Nash deposited the food on the counter while Devon moved closer to my side. His hand found mine again and I bit back a smile as he gave them each a once over.

“Why didn’t anyone tell me that her brothers were hot as hell?” he teased, fanning himself and making me laugh loud enough I had to put a hand over my mouth to stop myself.

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