Wes sets roasted potatoes and asparagus onto my plate by the chicken. “The ring was custom. Same metalworker who made our headboard.”
My eyes flick to him. “Really?”
He nods. “He turned our childish carving into something that looks like art.”
My gaze goes back to it. He’s right, it does look like art now.
Logan passes Ford the bread basket. He takes it and sends me a grin. “We wanted it to feel like home.”
Jace tilts his head toward the corner. “We’ve noticed you’ve had this song on repeat when we come from practice, on the days you couldn’t come.”
The speaker’s tucked against the baseboard. Strings rise in the background and I close my eyes at my favorite part.
“It keeps me calm right now. Especially when I was trying to keep a handle on myself while you were out. My dad used to play it.” I open my eyes and glance around the table. They all have food now as well.
“He was learning it before he died. He nearly had it memorized. Max Richter was one of his favorite composers.”
Reaching for my wine, I let the chill of the glass ground me and hum. “My parents had me in high school. He gave up his dream to take care of me and... my mother. He still played any chance he got. It was his outlet.”
I sip the wine. It’s mellow, not too sweet. Perfect for pairing with chicken. “He’s the reason I was able to go to Camp Ironside. He worked overtime, often out of state, all year to cover it. He did the same when I started suppressants, covering it until I could afford them myself.”
I swallow hard. “I wish I could’ve paid him back for everything, allowed him to take a break before the end.”
Ford reaches for my free hand. “He’d be proud. Despite the truth coming out, you’re still doing what you want. An Omega in the sports industry. I know you’ll come up with a way to prove that Omegas deserve a place in this world doing whatever they want.”
His words strike me, and I can’t help but get an idea for a documentary that follows Omegas willing to push back and do what I was too scared to.
Now that I know I have my job still, and they know the truth, maybe Richard would be interested in some new content like that.
I wouldn’t be able to return to my job if it wasn’t for them. “Thank you.” I look between them, one at a time. “All of you. I love you, too.”
We eat and chat about how easy life felt at camp when we were younger. All the while, pressure builds below my navel with cramps. My second heat with them is due to start any day now, and it could be tonight. Their timing is kind of uncanny with that.
I force myself to hide it. Enjoying the meal and the time with them.
Once we get done eating, it gets harder to ignore the pain. I shift in my seat like that might help, but I know only they will be able to ease this ache as it spreads through my body.
I lift the wineglass and drain what’s left, but it doesn’t take the edge off. I grip the edge of the seat, trying to ground and keep myself in the moment.
Ford’s knee nudges mine.
Wes leans in, his amber eyes trained on my mouth. “Fuck, you smell so good right now. If you need us, we’re here.”
My nipples harden at the tone in his voice.
Another cramp clenches, and it takes everything not to let them know I’m in pain. I breathe through it. My pulse kicks hard against my neck.
“I didn’t want to ruin it.” I get out after the tension eases a little. “You worked so hard on this.”
Ford brings his fingertips to my chin and turns my head to look at him. “Taking care of your needs is part of it, Frankie. We built this night for you. All of it.”
Wes reaches over and slips the glass from my hand. His fingers brush mine before he sets it on the table.
Jace pushes his chair back. “We all know what this is leading toward. You wanting us? That doesn’t ruin anything.”
Logan also stands and moves behind me. His breath skims the side of my neck before his mouth finds the sensitive spot near the base. He kisses my scent gland and scrapes his teeth along it then sucks, leaving a mark behind. It sends a jolt down my spine and straight to my clit.
A moan escapes before I can hold it back.
