Page 75 of Stuck with my Pack
Sophie:OMG…But now I’m the worst friend ever. You had your baby! Ethan told me…But I’ve been so lost in my own shit. HOW are you?
Lily:Sooooo tired but so in love. I never knew how big my heart could be until they handed her to me.
Sophie:Can we meet up tomorrow? If you’re able? I need to talk this out before my brain eats itself and I want to give you all the hugs. And see that baby!
Lily:Yes. Café at ten. I’ve been cooped up for the last week and need some real world time. Coffee, food and I’ll bring Charlie.You bring that hot mess energy I’ve missed so much.
I smile, rolling onto my side as I type my final response.
Sophie:Deal.
I set my phone down, exhaling deeply. My nerves and insecurities are still gnawing at the edges of my mind, but at least now I have a plan. A place to start.
33
SOPHIE
The low rumble of the snowplow echoes through the valley, vibrating in my chest as I stand by the front porch, arms wrapped around myself. Seeing the massive machine clearing the last of the heavy snow from the road leading up to the inn fills me with a strange sense of relief.
After what felt like an eternity of being snowed in, finally the boys can stop their shoveling. The rising sun glints off the wet pavement in patches where the snow has already started to melt, the temperature just warm enough to send small rivulets of water trickling down the edges of the path.
I step forward, the wooden planks creaking beneath my boots as I watch Tyler, Brodie, and Ethan gathered around the snowplow, their eyes lit with fascination. Something about big machines seems to bring out the little boy in every man.
“We’ll probably have a muddy mess by noon,” Tyler mutters, kicking a damp clump of snow off the fence post he’s leaning on. His breath fogs in the cold air as he puts his hands in his pockets.
“Better than being stuck,” I reply, stretching my arms above my head. I feel the tightness in my muscles from days spent wrapped up in blankets, sheltered in my nest, and surrounded by them.
The fresh air feels good. Necessary. The anxiety I’ve felt since yesterday is still souring my smell and I know they can tell.
Brodie straightens, resting his forearm on the fence, his amber eyes flicking to me. “Are you sure about going into town alone? Roads might be clear, but it’s still a long walk.”
I knew this was coming. Alphas. Always protective. I smile, rolling my eyes. “I’m a big girl, Brodie. I’ve survived worse.”
Ethan’s eyes narrow slightly, his stance shifting just enough to tell me he doesn’t like it. “Still, it wouldn’t hurt to wait a day. Make sure everything’s solid before you head out.”
I walk toward the edge of the driveway, stretching my arms against the lingering chill in the air. “It’s just town,” I say, shaking my head at them. “I need this, guys. A little girl time. And Lily’s waiting for me.”
My gaze drifts to my car, nearly buried beneath a suspiciously placed snowdrift—the exact spot where they’d been dumping all the snow they shoveled. I arch a brow, giving them an accusing look.
“Besides, I’m not digging that out anytime soon.”
Tyler scoffs, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Right, because we totally didn’t just spend the last hour making sure your car was completely inaccessible, hoping you’d change your mind.”
I roll my eyes, stepping closer to them, my boots crunching softly over the snow-dusted path.
“Besides,” I add, arching a brow, “you three have been practically at my heels since the storm cleared. I need space.”
Brodie watches me closely, his jaw ticking as his eyes flicker between mine.
“If anything happens, you call,” he says, his voice steady but the concern clearly evident. “No waiting. No second-guessing.”
I nod, my heart softening at his concern. “I will.”
Tyler sighs, then pulls me in by the waist, pressing a firm, lingering kiss against my lips. His mouth curves into a grin as he pulls back.
“Don’t have too much fun without us, sweetheart.”
Before I can respond, Brodie steps in, his hand cupping the side of my face as he claims my lips in a slow, deliberate kiss. It’s grounding and possessive in a way that makes my pulse stutter. When he pulls back, his thumb brushes over my cheek.
