Page 58 of Talk About… Trouble

“So, what was it like growing up in Rockwood Valley?”

“Exhausting,” he admitted with a chuckle that said he didn't really mean it. “Being a triplet made it so everyone was constantly comparing us. It always felt like they saw every damn flaw and mistake we made. Then there was Avery who won everyone over. Sometimes I think she did it to protect us, though we should have been protecting her.”

The way he said that had me narrowing my eyes.

“Nash, you can’t blame yourself for what happened to her.”

“Like hell I can’t. We let her run away and didn’t check in enough. We never liked them and maybe if we’d done something about it, scared them off like real big brothers, none of this would have happened to you.”

My heart broke at the pain in his voice. He’d blamed himself this whole time. Maybe it wasn’t just the town that found him lacking, but Nash as well.

“If it didn’t, I wouldn’t be here right now and you’d be packless,” I pointed out. “I’m not saying I’m glad any of that happened. It was a nightmare that still haunts me. But you guys? You chase some of that away. Make me feel whole, worthy. Don’t blame yourself for having a life. Snakes like them often have the most charming smiles and words. I don’t even think Avery knew.”

He deflated a little, his fingers finding mine again. “How did I get so lucky?”

“Fate,” I said, giving him a wink. “So, do you have tattoos I get to color in, too?”

He laughed. “I’ve got a few, maybe I’ll have to schedule some new ink. I’m kind of sad Shep gets all the fun. Maybe I’ll get some fun coloring pages stamped right on my ass for you.”

“That could be fun,” I laughed, picturing him stretched out in front of the fireplace, bare ass with me coloring in every line.

Actually, I wasn’t against it.

“I could get behind that, actually,” I mused, making him laugh harder. Knowing this crazy alpha, he’d make it happen.

We were quiet as he merged on the highway. The soft music in the background and breeze blowing through our cracked windows had me relaxing into the leather seat.

“Do you think it’s weird how we all just… work together?”

He hummed at my question, mulling it over before answering. As playful and flirty as Nash was, he truly was a great alpha. He didn’t dismiss his omegas and was thoughtful and kind. He picked a vegetarian place just for me and was planning these incredible dates.

I hadn’t spent any time with him one on one yet, but this felt as natural as breathing. Every new thing we learned about eachother just seemed to strengthen whatever tentative bond was forming between us.

“Unconventional might be a better word. Outside of that, who cares? We all stepped up when you needed it and because of that, I trust them. Devon and you are incredible and make me feel like I have a purpose. Shepherd and Braxton are great from what I know so far. We have a lot of growing to do as a pack, but courting you two and learning about each other will be the easy part now. We skipped right past awkward and are just a pack.”

I smiled at his words. They reiterated everything I’d been saying to myself and settled some of the lingering worry that this would all overwhelm them until they wanted out.

Maybe that was just my fear of abandonment talking. I didn’t have a great record of people in my life keeping me. I’d lost my family, friends, and I was terrified of losing them, too.

“Hey, get out of that pretty head of yours,” Nash said, taking my hand in his and giving it a squeeze. “Do we need to talk it out more?”

“No. It’s just me overthinking,” I admitted. “It feels too good to be true and I’m scared it’ll end.”

“I can’t speak for everyone, but there’s nothing in this world that could keep me from you, sweetheart,” he vowed, bringing my knuckles to his lips to place a kiss there.

Okay, swoon. This alpha knew exactly how to calm me down.

“Now, consider this our first step of courting. I want to make it clear now, that I will be paying for everything we do today,” he warned me. “It’s okay to let your pack spoil you from time to time.”

“Fine,” I grumbled, though honestly I loved it. Contributing to our pack account was different than them giving me moments like this. Little pockets of peace that showed they listened and wanted me as I was. Trauma, baggage, anxiety, and all.

The rest of the ride into Stonefield felt a lot lighter. We sang to the radio, laughed about my day working with our crazy animals, and simply existed together.

He pulled up in front of Coffee Your Way and just from the front of the shop I knew I’d love it. Everything was painted in shades of browns and creams, little coffee cups with tiny smiles dancing on the front window. Whoever owned it clearly went for cute and inviting and I adored it.

Nash shut the car off and practically ran around to my side so he could open my door and help me out. Mama Whitaker raised a gentleman.

The scent of coffee was strong even out here. When we opened the door it was downright heavenly. Freshly ground coffee, syrups, and random confections had my mouth watering and my omega perking up.

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