“Considering the backlash over cutting the scholarships for omegas, perhaps you could bring the scholarships back in some other form. Sure, my pack’s foundation is covering all the students that lost theirs, but I’m sure there are other omegas that need scholarships? Maybe omegas-in-sports would align better with the foundation’s mission? Need-based omega scholar-athletes?” I missed talking to my dad about shit like this.
“Oh, now that… that could work.” He sent a text. “I miss this.”
“Me, too. Just because I’m not interested in talking to Mother, Troy, or Liam, doesn’t mean I don’t want to talk to you,” I admitted.
“Thank you. I’m glad you and Katie are still talking to me. Your mother is really torn up about Katie not talking to her, especially with her expecting. It’s making her act a bit out of character.” His brow furrowed with worry.
“Mother has been a little less careful.” I took a sip of my beer.Katie?My mother was upset about not talking to Katie, but not me?
Wait. I didn’t want to talk to her, anyway.
“It makes me worry. I do love her.” Conflict crossed his face.
“I know, Dad.”
He picked up his glass. “You took Grace to Kari Jaroff’s concert? It’s nice that you and Kari stay in touch.”
“We had a good time. Grace competed in piano in high school, too.” Also, I’d listened to some recordings of Grace’s mother playing. If she’d lived, she probably would have been famous.
“Grace mated Spencer and you’re having a party?” He had a drink. “Not fishing for an invitation. Your mother was grumping about not getting one when Councilman Nakamura did, and we know you justlovehim,” my dad teased.
“I don’t like how Councilman Nakamura seems to enjoy fighting wage equality while finding ways for businesses to cheat their taxes. It’s Spencer and Grace’s party, not our pack’s. However, the Nakamuras were invited because their son and Riley are friends, and Spencer let her invite a few people.” I ate an onion ring.
Including her friend Kilroy, whose father was some sort of professional fighter. Though it was his mom that Grace was in a book club with.
“I see.” He nodded.
“Spencer and Grace are angry with Mother. That’s why she’s not invited. I’m happy to have you, Dad. But only you, not her or my brothers. I also understand if you wouldn’t attend without her,” I told him.
He brightened. “You want me there?”
“I do.”
“I’ll think about it. I like your pack. You did well. Thank you.” His look grew concerned. “Are you okay with all of this? Things are moving fast with Grace. Too fast according to your mother, but alpha-omega relationships can move quickly. Caroline hit you hard, and I know how much you love your mates and pack.”
I took a deep breath. “I’ve been trying to handle my shit. Grace isn’t a bad person. The fact that Evan loves her with his whole heart tells me a lot about her. So does Spencer mating her. She fits so well, which, yes, is scary. But unlike Caroline, this is inevitable. Even Jett has a crush on her.”
As do I.
He patted my shoulder. “I’m proud of you. I drove past that venue you bought. It has so much potential.”
“Right? Terrance can’t see it. But he will.”
We talked more. I kept waiting for him to bring up the buildings or the State Street project.
But he didn’t.
“Well, I should go,” he finally told me.
We walked down to the parking garage.
“Thanks for taking the time to meet up with dear old dad.” He looked wistful.
“Anytime,” I replied “Maybe we can make this a regular meeting? We don’t work that far from each other.”
My dad beamed. “I’d like that a lot.”
I got on my bike and drove off. Glancing in the review mirror, I saw him continue to stand there, longingly.
