We eat in silence for a while; the air no longer filled with tension.
“Piper said this group was your idea,” he says.
I nod. “It was. I know I’m not the only one with these worries when it comes to pets. My mind races off to places that even I don’t understand half the time. I can’t be the only one that goes through that.”
“You’re not. And…congratulations on your pack,” he says softly. He runs a hand through his blonde hair, and it flops messily on his forehead. “I should have told you that originally when you found your scent matches, not made you second guess every decision you made when it came to them. That was terrible of me.”
I chew thoughtfully, and he lets out a slow, nervous breath. He fidgets with the takeout bag, crinkling it with his fingers.
“I’ve wanted these things for you, Maeve. Ever since you presented, and we knew you were an Omega, I wanted you to have the very best people in your life.”
“And I wanted that for you, too,” I add. “You found Piper, and I encouraged you to win her over even when she was upset with you. Remember?”
It took Avery forever to tell me about Piper, and by the time he did, he was convinced he lost her forever.
That wasn’t the case, of course.
They’re meant to be together.
He chuckles softly. “Yeah. And I should have encouraged you, not made you feel insecure in your choices. I’m so, so sorry.”
“I heard Fang talked to you.”
“He did. He took the blame for everything, told me I was an overprotective asshole, and to stop treating you like a kid.”
I raise an eyebrow, surprised. “And how did that go?”
“I called him a selfish prick. Then, I threatened to get him fired.”
I gasp. “What the hell, Avery?” I drop my chopsticks in the bowl. “Why the hell would you do that?”
But before my anger can rise, he holds up his hands in surrender. “And,” he continues, “he said to go ahead. If he had to lose his job to be with you, and lose me as a friend, then he would deal with it. And that’s when I realized he was in love with you. It wasn’t just a scent match for him…he loves who you are as a person.”
I scowl. “He didn’t tell me about that part of the conversation.”
“Probably because he didn’t want you to see me any differently,” he sighs, kicking a pebble at his feet. “You’re my little sister, and I wanted to keep you safe. Even if it hurt you in the process.”
I absorb his words, allowing them to sink in fully. “You were parentified,” I murmur. “You had to play the role of parent for me, our whole lives. Of course you would act like that.”
He shrugs. “I don’t see it as a burden, Maeve.”
“I know, but…it wasn’t fair to you.” I blink away tears. “It was too much for a kid.”
“It was too much for both of us, but we’re still here, aren’t we?” he asks gently. “Not without our scars, though.”
I nod. “Do racing thoughts, irrational fears and obsessions count as scars?”
He quirks his lip. “I would say so. I’m proud of you, though, for facing them, instead of running away. I think you’re going to help a lot of people with this group.”
“We also have a stress ball on the way. A white and teal one in the shape of a cat.”
“I heard. I already have dibs on the first one that arrives.”
I bark out a laugh. “Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah. Now I won’t have to keep stealing Piper’s.” His eyes soften. “I mean it, kiddo. I’m proud of you. It’s hard to watch you grow up…but I know it’s a privilege to see you do it.”
I turn my attention to the salmon bowl before my brother can see the tears that fill my eyes.
