Ryder sidled up, apparently finally done torturing himself with old news stories about the Fortune Pack. “It’s always rough at the beginning, Cat,” he said, though his words were hollow. “And we always make it work eventually.”
I admired Ryder trying to keep the faith, but he needed to try a little harder to sound authentic. “Ryder’s right. We’ll get there. We always do.”
Fuck, I didn’t sound any more believable than Ryder.
“Yes, that’s true.” Cat paused, pursing her lips. “But this is the worstit’s ever been. I know your... Alpha struggles have a lot to do with it. Hopefully, that won’t be a problem anymore.”
“Tessa the museeeee,” Tray played air drums. Ryder and I exchanged looks, both of us still apparently far deeper in hopelessness than our younger pack brother.
We hadn’t used all our savings on the Eros Institute’s services, but a good chunk of it. According to Catalina, and our accountant, we had about a year left if we didn’t produce a hit and enough buzz to launch another successful tour. At that point, we’d need to sell some stuff to stay afloat. I’m sure it was the anxiety, but the mention of our quickly dipping financial stability made my whole damn body itch. I needed to change the subject. There was plenty enough worry flowing through me right now. Our bank account could wait.
I cleared my throat, rubbing at my Adam’s apple gently. “I swear the cat is already here. My throat itches like crazy.”
“Maybe it’s the Betas from the pet store,” Tray mused, glancing back at the staff working diligently. “The one in black pants could really use a lint brush.”
“Wonderful,” I rolled my eyes, exasperated. I knew that allowing the cat was the right thing to do; we needed Tessa so badly, but bringing an allergy machine into the mansion was going to suck. “I think all we have is Benadryl. I can’t take that, or I’ll be a zombie when she arrives.” I turned around, planning to go to my room and see if I had other options.
“I've got you covered, Mac!” Tray shouted gleefully from behind me. I turned, finding him jetting towards me; his grin had somehow, despite the limitations of his face, widened more. “I bought non-drowsy allergy meds. Like, a ton of them. Different brands too, in case one doesn't work. The pet store carried them, so I just threw them into my delivery order!”
I couldn't help but smile at Tray's enthusiasm. His chaotic energy, though a contradiction, often kept our pack grounded. I watched him approach, bouncing and half-skipping.What an idiot.When he was close enough, he jumped onto me. Tray hugged his arms around my neck and made it even harder to breathe through the cloud of pet dander that wasdefinitelycoming from the Pet Paradise workers finishing their job in the bedroom hallway.
“You…are…” I gasped for air. “Choking… me… dumbass.”
“Dude, I even got one of those air purifier things they advertise for pet allergies! An installer’s coming tomorrow to put it in your room!”
I grunted out something, his arm still blocking my airway.
“Tray, you’re suffocating him,” Ryder’s voice sounded amused.
“Oh, shit. Sorry, Mac.” Tray pushed off my body and I grimaced. Now the inside of my neck was allergy swollen and the outside was tender too.
"It’s fine," I muttered, rubbing my throat again. The itching was getting worse, spreading down into my chest. "Where did you put the meds?"
"Kitchen counter!" Tray called out, already bounding in that direction. "I'll grab them!"
Catalina watched him go, shaking her head. "That boy has the attention span of a goldfish, but somehow he remembered your allergies." She studied my face with concern. "You're getting red around your eyes too."
“Awesome,” I sighed. I didn’t have to check if she was right. I could feel how watery my eyes were getting. Just what I needed—to look like I'd been crying when Tessa arrived. I could already picture her first impression: the weepy Alpha who couldn't handle a cat. I started striding after Tray, but Cat’s voice stopped me.
"Mac," her voice had that careful tone again. "About earlier?—"
"Nope," I cut her off, not unkindly but firmly. "We're good. Really. And right now, I need to figure out a way to meet Tessa without looking like a blubbering damn idiot.”
“I’m always here for you guys,” she said in a motherly way, glancing over at Ryder to include him. “Just remember that.”
“We all know that.” I offered her, trying to soften my earlier rigidity, “For me, Ryder, and Dixon, you’re basically the only parent we have. Probably what’s wrong with Tray, actually.” I smirked, and she took the bait.
“Definitely what’s wrong with Tray.” Ryder nodded.
“What do you mean?” Cat crossed her arms, waiting.
“He’s just got too many people who really love him. Mom, Dad, Grandparents, sister, you. He didn’t stand a chance of becoming something other than a lovable moron.” I chuckled out the last part. Ryder was stifling a laugh too.
“Hey, I heard that!” Tray’s voice rocketed across the living room. Cat and I turned to find him holding a bottle of water and the allergy med. “I’m a lovable, omnisexual moron, thanks very much. Easy to love, lover of all, and, I’ll admit, sometimes an idiot.”
Ryder and I were in stitches now. Catalina only groaned.
Tray crossed the distance to us, handing me the items. “One now. Should kick in quickly. It’s supposed to be twice a day, every twelve hours or whatever.”
