“Mama!” I snap. Then I immediately feel guilty for snapping and start crying again. “Sorry, my emotions are changing faster than the weather patterns in Spring.”
Several chuckles come down the line, and I roll my eyes. Of course she put me on speaker. “That’s normal, honey. You should see your Mama after a heat. We never know if we’ll be cuddling her or needing shin guards.”
There’s an “oof” sound, and then my mom has the phone again. “Ignore them, Rosie. Your dads shouldn’t be giving out heat advice considering they never have and never will experience one. The point is you’re safe, you’re healthy, and you made it through your first heat. You should be so incredibly proud of yourself, my girl. I know I am.” More grumbling comes through, and she corrects herself. “Weallare.”
The tears are falling again, much quicker this time. “Thanks you guys. I love and miss you,” I choke.
“We love and miss you too, Posey. I expect at least one text every single day, you hear? And no less than one phone call a week. Anything less and I will hop my happy ass on a plane.”
A watery giggle escapes. “I will. Love you, Mama.”
“Love you more, Rosie Posey.”
After we hang up, I shoot Lainey a quick text. I feel my energy rapidly fading, so I need to get out of the bath before I fall asleep. There are also a few texts from Maisie, but I don’t have the energy to deal with another overbearing family member right now.
Me
Thank you so much for your help and the supplies, Lainey. I don’t know what I did to deserve afriend like you.
Lainey
You’re alive! Thank god. Class was so boring without you. Heats suck, and I am honored you allowed me to help you at all. Take as much time as you need, okay? Heat leave is covered up to a week without a doctor’s note, so don’t feel like you have to rush back to class, ok?
The tightness in my chest eases a fraction as I release a heavy breath. I would have gone back to class tomorrow, but my omega is much more relaxed knowing we don’t have to stray far from the nest just yet and will have an entire weekend to recover.
Me
You are heaven sent, Lainey Ryan. And you will have a delivery at your door in two hours. Thanks again!
Lainey
*squealing gif* a surprise! For moi? I’m touched. Take a nap and eat one of the meal preps I left you so you can come back to class on Monday and save me from my boredom. And if you need anything at all I’m just a text away.
Me
*heart hands emojis*
The only thing I consumed during my heat was bananas and protein bars, so my stomach rumbles instantly at the thought of real food. Getting out of the bath and dressing zaps the last dredges of my energy so after scarfing down one of the pre-prepared meals Lainey left in my fridge, I collapse back into my nest and fall into a deep, dreamless sleep.
When my alarm goes off the next morning, I feel like a new woman. I guess two straight days of sleep will do that to you. I’m still a little sore, but now it feels less like I’ve been hit by a bus and more like I had a solid workout. And any lingering exhaustion is gone thanks to my extremely long nap.
My phone rings, and I scramble to answer it when I see Lainey’s name flash across the screen. “Hello?” My voice is disgustingly croaky, and my friend laughs.
“You sound like you’ve had a dick down your throat for the last three days, Pose. Did you secretly find an alpha to rail you and not tell me?”
I choke. “Lainey!”
She cackles. We haven’t been friends long, but I’m not sure I will ever used to the unhinged things that come out of the sweet omega’s mouth sometimes. “I’m just kidding, but really, how are you feeling?”
Taking stock of my body again, I realize I really do feel okay. “Honestly I could use a shower and some caffeine, but I’m ready to go back to class. I already feel like I’m behind and missing the first three and a half days of class doesn’t exactly make the best impression.”
“You’re fine, Pose. I promise the professors here have seen so much worse. My older brother was a menacewhen he was a student at HU, and now he’s a PhD candidateandan adjunct professor here this year.”
“He sounds really smart,” I comment, a little taken aback because I had no idea Lainey had a brother.
She sighs. “Yeah, he’s technically my half brother, and it’s always been a little bit awkward when we see each other. He’s six years older than me and lived with his dad until he got into school here, and then he lived in the dorms before moving into an on-campus apartment, so I don’t know him super well. I’m not even sure if he has a pack or anything.”
I can tell it bothers her, so I quickly change the subject. “Please tell me you got my notes and any homework while I was out.”
