When they calmed, we moved into our next song. Tessa stayed on stage, offering her vocals to the chorus. Performing “How to Swallow Glass” felt anti-climatic after “Land of the Lovesick”.
“You’re an echo in my brain, and your voice won’t let me sleep. Girl, I tried to spit you out. But you’re like broken glass that won’t come out…”
It felt so right to be on this stage with my pack brothers and Tessa. So natural.
I could play a thousand songs, travel to a million shows, if they were by my side.
“It figures.One of the best nights of my life, and my heat would start.” Tessa frowned up at me, pulling her legs onto the sofa, one palm pushing into her stomach.
“The calendar was pretty spot-on though,” I sat on the edge of the recliner, leaning towards her. The guys and I shared a heat tracking app with Tessa, so we were usually prepared to help when one hit.
“Hmph,” she grunted, “I used to be so irregular, and now it’s like clockwork. It’s annoying.”
“And healthy,” I reminded her. She didn’t know how grateful we all were that she had regular heats now, it meant her body had fully healed.
“Being healthy is stupid,” she grumbled, though I knew she didn’t mean it.
Her hair was still dripping from the shower, beads of water curving down her chest. That silk camisole barely covered anything. The sight of her made my blood warm. Nothing I’d act on though. I knew she’d need a day or two to get past the beginning of her heat. All she needed right now was complete and utter pampering.
“I hate we didn’t make the after party with Cat.” She changed the subject object, fiddling with a wet curl, wrapping it around one finger absentmindedly.
“Do you hate that? Because she was bringing Gary again.” I cocked my head to the side, waiting for Tessa to think it over.
Gary was Cat’s boyfriend. They’d been together for months now. He was an average Beta. He worked at a museum,divorced, had one grown son, and a fondness for Pomeranians. I thought he was a snooze fest, but he made Catalina happy, and that’s what mattered.
“Okay,” she said slowly, “maybe,I don’t hate we’ll miss Gary. He’s nice and all…” Tessa’s voice trailed off.
“But you can’t listen to another hour-long lecture on the best way to groom an ankle biter?” I grinned. That was a true story. Second time we’d met the guy, he’d given us a crash course on shampoos, conditioners, drying techniques, the works.
She laughed, crossing her arms. “Don’t call little dogs that. But… yes,” she admitted. “He is unnaturally infatuated with his two dogs.”
“Moe and Curly,” I said the names, shaking my head. “You know, Cat’s planning on getting him a third for his birthday, on the firm condition he calls the new one Larry.” Cat had to explain the reference to me. I’d never watched the Three Stooges.
“Do you think she’s going to move in with him?” Tessa suddenly asked, pulling a plush blanket more securely around her legs. “I’m going to miss her. Not that she’s around much since meeting him.”
I smiled down at Tessa. Cat had helped her settle into our home, and hearts. She’d been a mother figure to Tessa. But now Cat was building more of a personal life outside of being our PR manager. It was bittersweet for all of us.
“She’s dropping hints,” I gave a little shrug, standing up and grabbing one of the pink decor pillows Tessa had added to our, once very masculine, travel bus prior to this new tour.
“Here,” I pushed the pillow towards her with one hand, and lifted her arms with the other, placing the pillow against her stomach. “Hold this against your belly while I heat up that stupid bat thing you got Dixon.”
“It’s not stupid. It’s adorable.”
“If you say so,” I smirked, padding over to the kitchen and opening a draw, pulling out the microwavable animal.
“Do you think they’ll be back soon?” Tessa shifted so she could gaze out the window. It was dreary outside, lightly raining. The guys had taken one of the staff vehicles to get Tessa supplies.
“Yeah, I’m sure they will be. They know the area pretty well, andthey’re on a mission.” I popped the bat compress into the microwave, plugged in three minutes, then hit start. “Anything I can get for you right now?”
She screwed up her face, thinking. “Just a water, I guess. I’m holding out for pizza and ice cream.”
While the microwave heated the bat, I snagged the water and padded over to her. Once I sat down, I lifted my arm and Tessa curled into my side. She didn’t make a move for the water, so I just kept holding it. After a heartbeat, she spoke again.
“What are you thinking about?”
I didn’t hesitate, not for a second. “How lucky I am.”
“We’re all so lucky, Ryder,” she murmured softly.
