5:30 comes and goes–then 6. By 6:30 I’ve taken off my shoes, grabbed a bag of Doritos out of the pantry and flopped myself on the couch in front of the TV to find some kind of horrible monster movie–where the whole pack of obnoxious alpha jocks die, leaving the beta to escape with the frightened omega and blow up the monster. Seriously, it’s pretty fucking formulaic, but that’s why it works. The only difference is what kind of monster they have this time. Personally, I enjoy zombie movies,but aliens are awesome too. You just need to work in large quantities of monsters for the most blood splatter possible. The first movie ends, and the sequel starts automatically, higher body count, more blood. I really should be working tonight, but I feel like shit now, so fuck it.
My phone chirps once, and I don’t bother picking it up. If it’s a client, it can wait until tomorrow. If it’s one of the guys…fuck it, they can wait too. Once the second movie is over I stand up, my hair is a mess now, and I really do look like a dandelion. I peel off these pants and my pretty sweater, now covered in chip crumbs, and ok, yeah, little wet spots from tears. But fuck it. I put Iggy back in her terrarium and pull the lid closed, latching it in place, and effectively tucking her in for the night.
My phone chirps again, but when I pick it up and see it is almost 11, I just plug it into the charger. I didn’t realize how excited I was to see them until they stood me up, and while I hope I get an apology and a good reason, I can’t deal with it tonight. I crawl into my nest, burrowing under the blankets and finding a little patch of scent that hasn’t faded away yet from Jacks’ marking spree last week. I wrap myself around it as much as I can and just let go. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.
My dreams were really freaky last night, so I know I slept at least a bit, but I’m super groggy and it doesn’t feel like I rested at all. My eyes feel puffy and hot, and the rest of me just feels sticky. My phone chirps again–is that what woke me up?
Reaching over and grabbing my phone–looks like there are 23 missed messages. The first two I didn’t open last night are from Jacks, apologizing that work came up and they were all busy and couldn't get time to message me until later. Then asking if I was ok. Becoming progressively more frantic as the night went on. Finally, around two A.M., there is a text from Xan also apologizing and saying Jacks won’t let him rest until he makes sure I’m ok. Another one at 2:10 from Jacks, one at 3:18 from Gabe, threatening Jacks with bodily harm. Another four from Jacks, one from Leo at 5:30 asking if I’m alright, he can stop by on the way home and check on me if he needs to. Two more from Jacks, and finally one from Xan at 6:15 telling me they’re at my front door and won’t leave until they know I’m ok.
Fuck, it’s 6:20 now.
A tapping noise on my nest window startles a scream out of me. There’s a privacy fence around the back yard, and I keep the gates locked, so this is freaking me out. The tapping is now a loud knocking and I hear muffled voices, as well as someone rapping loudly on the door to my back patio. Wrapping myself up in a blanket–because it is too early to figure out clothes andthis will cover the most area–I grab a small club that I keep by the bedside table.
I quietly make my way to the back door, the knob is rattling, and the door swings wide. My blanket held tight to me in one hand, I have my club raised to bash whoever comes in over the–well, probably shoulder, depending on how tall they are. There’s a tug on my blanket and I let out another scream–looking down, Jacks is squatting down just outside the door with a credit card in his hand, grinning at me.
“Hey, we really need to get you a deadbolt on the back here, anybody could just walk in.” He’s pulling on my blanket and grinning up at my naked thigh when Xan ambles over from where he was tapping on my window.
“Hey, Pretty Lady, are you gonna bash him over the head or can we come in? It was a long night and I really need coffee.”
Jacks unfolds himself, releasing the edge of my blanket to fall closed, and kissing Xan on the nose on the way up to his full height. “Sorry, love, I think she only has decaf.” Then he walks into my house like he owns the place.
Chapter 16
It is a delightful surprise to find that our omega had restocked the fridge since I was last here, and bought coffee…like real coffee, not decaf. Which shows she wanted and expected us to come back and drink it. I start a fresh pot and then start sorting through the fridge to figure out what to make for breakfast. Technically Xan and I already ate, but food’s food, so he will always eat again.
Oh, there is stuff in here for a frittata.
I wonder if she likes frittatas?
Does anybody not like a frittata, really? That’s a funny word, frittata…fritos…tatas…
I look over our omega, wrapped up in a blanket. From what I saw earlier it’sjustthe blanket, but her knuckles are white trying to hold onto it.
What could I ask her to help me with that would be difficult with just one hand?
“Don’t fucking do it, Jacks, I know that look.” Xan is glaring at me–and fair, he knows me better than anyone else.
I try to affect an air of innocence, but it never works with him. “As much as I love seeing so much of you, can you go put more than a blanket on, before Jacks gets us kicked out?”
My Little Lion blushes furiously and bolts towards her nest. The blanket flares from the wind and I still get a tantalizing view of her backside before she slams the door.
“Come on man, I’m trying to apologize here, don’t embarrass her. She looks like she cried half the night already. Her eyes are redder than Gabes right now, and he was dealing with smoke inhalation.”
It was a long night, and once Leo gets him discharged from the hospital they are gonna go get some rest before they have to start work. We need to rest too.
Xan looks at me, and sometimes it feels like he can read my mind. “We need to get home too as soon as I finish explaining things. I know you want to feed her now that we know she’s ok.”
I glower at my best friend and lover. I have a lot more energy now that I’ve seen my Little Lion. Of course, I don’t have to go into a job that deals with heavy machinery or vehicle safety, or try to save any lives, pet lives, but still lives.
Fine.
Whatever.
“Fine…but drink your coffee first, she obviously got some for the next time we came over.” I know I am acting like a toddler, but I still enjoy his look of surprise.
“Ok, guys, what was so important that you couldn’t wait to tell me? In case it isn’t painfully obvious, I didn't sleep last night, and I really want to try to get some rest before I start working.” Candice comes back, wearing a set of blue flannel pajamas, and I just want to scoop her up and take her home-
There’s an idea.
