Page 19 of Dream Mates (Into The Parallel Omegaverse #2)

Chapter Twelve

Evan

I leaned into Wes as we fished off the edge of the boat. It wasn’t a yacht, but it wasn’t the little two-person wooden fishing boat my grandpa had. It was perfect for lazy afternoons, sunsets, and a little fishing.

We hadn’t caught anything, but we weren’t trying very hard, either. Some fresh air while the house got some major airing out and cleaning was just what we needed. I was still a little edgy, but a lot of that came through the bond from Grace.

Brennan was on one of the benches, laying on his back, on his phone, looking really sexy even though he just had on jeans and a sweater. Jett laid on top of him, reading a book, occasionally reaching for his beer.

Spencer lounged in the corner, also on his phone.

Grace, in one of her little dresses, napped on his lap.

She wasn’t wearing her walking cast or wrist brace but I’m not sure she had been this whole time she’d been back.

Her face buried in his chest, his arms and a blanket around her.

Occasionally he gave her a fond pat, or a kiss on the head.

It was so sweet to see him like this with her.

I was also pretty sure his dick was buried deep inside her as she slept.

We were wrung out from this heat, physically and emotionally. Even in the aftermath of Caroline and me being in the hospital, I hadn’t been so needy, my heat so forceful. But then, Grace was literally taken from me while I watched, helpless.

It was traumatizing. Terrifying.

At another point in my cycle, it would probably cause me to spiral. In this case, it pushed me over the edge, making me seek comfort in my alphas with ferocity.

Then add back in my sweet Grace, needy, aching, and scared.

Dicks for days. I was so glad I’d brought an entire box of those green bath fizzies Grace liked.

My phone buzzed.

Carly

I can fill in for you Monday and Tuesday if you take my weekend evenings.

Perfect. I was on call afternoons and evenings this week, anyway. I could handle the weekend, too.

“Hey.” I nudged Wes with my hip. “I was thinking of staying a few extra days, trading shifts, and driving back Wednesday morning. I don’t think Grace is ready to re-enter the world yet.”

We were supposed to head back tomorrow morning.

Wes looked over at Grace, concern in his eyes. Grace hadn’t said much. She needed constant physical contact. While we burned to find out what happened, it was apparent she needed time. She was so fragile. There was no laughter in her blue-grey eyes, only shadows and longing.

“Do you want me to stay with you?” Wes’ offer was soft, tentative.

I appreciated him wanting to offer me alone time with her, even though he probably wanted some himself.

“If the boss will let you off, I would. Considering, while she loves my cock, I’m not sure she should go without alpha dick for long,” I whispered back. Certainly, I couldn't be without my mate so soon after my heat.

Wes chuckled as he got out his phone and sent a text. “You two only keep me for my knot.”

I pretended to think for a moment. “Well, that and your purr.”

“Okay, I have a meeting Wednesday late afternoon, but the boss says other than that, it’s all good,” Wes whispered back, glancing at his phone. “The boss would also like to stay with us.”

“I don’t have a problem with it. We’ll have to see if Lexi or Katie would get Riley at the airport and take her to school.” Because Riley got back tomorrow.

“Sounds good.” Wes nodded.

I glanced over at Brennan, who was now holding Jett as they talked softly. “Can I ask them if they want to stay, too?”

“Yeah. If they stay we should see if Lexi could be bribed to bring Riley here. Let Riley ditch a couple days of school. Grace probably wants to see her,” Wes said.

Leaving my fishing pole in Wes’ care, I slipped in next to Jett, putting my arms around him. Poor Jett. This heat had been rough on him.

“Hey, doing okay, Baby?” Jett asked, giving me a little kiss. His turtleneck made him feel extra snuggly.

“No fish, Love?” Brennan looked up from his phone.

“Nope, but I’m enjoying being outside.” The weather was pleasant with a light breeze. Still too cold for swimming, though. I rested my head on Jett’s shoulder.

“Wes, Spence, and I were thinking of staying a bit longer and going back Wednesday. If you can get off, I’d love for you to stay, too,” I said.

Relief flooded Jett’s face. “I’d love to. Oh, I don’t care if I have to call in sick. I really need some sleep.”

“Why are you reading instead of sleeping, then, Dear?” Brennan asked gently.

Jett’s look went sly. “Honey, are you offering to let me nap on your cock? Peaches has the right idea.”

“For you, anything.” Brennan gave Jett a kiss and caressed his face. He looked at me. “I should be able to reschedule my meetings, at least for Monday and Tuesday. I might have to go back Tuesday evening, but we have two cars, so that shouldn’t be a problem.”

Jett nodded. “That works for me.”

“What about Riley?” Brennan asked. “It will cost us, but we could ask one of the sisters to bring her here. Let her miss school for a couple of days. Believe me, she won’t be the only one coming back late from spring break.”

“That’s what Wes suggested, and I like it. I’ll ask Riley if she’s interested.” I sent her a text.

Me

Want to ditch school for a couple of days and join us at the cabin?

Riley

Fuck yeah. I need a vacation from my vacation.

From the photos, it did seem to be busy.

Me

You won’t miss skate smash tryouts will you?

Riley

No, they’re not until the end of the month. I have another practice clinic that someone set up but it’s not until next weekend.

Me

Great. I’ll bribe a sister to deliver you. Have a safe trip. Love you. Send Sonja and Sasha my love .

“They’re staying. Will you text Lexi about playing shuttle?” I asked Wes, making myself comfortable with Bren and Jett.

Grace began to whimper and thrash a little in her sleep.

“Shhh, I’m right here,” Spencer murmured, arms now tight around her, his legs bouncing slightly as he purred for her. “Settle, Darling, I’m right here and you’re safe.”

The whimpers quieted though the bouncing and purrs continued.

“Well then,” Jett said softly.

Spencer was a little old school when it came to caring for an omega. His mom had enrolled him in a fancy training course and sent him to an exclusive alpha summer camp in Greece so that he’d grow up to not be an alphahole.

I had a feeling his approach would suit Grace just fine.

“Not complaining. Jealous.” Jett nuzzled Brennan.

Same. Given my size, it was a little harder for me to tuck myself into an alpha lap for a long period of time like she could.

“I think I could use a nap when we get back. I have a little headache anyway.” Brennan’s eyes locked with Jett’s.

“Hey, are you okay with that, Wes?” I rejoined Wes, taking back my fishing pole. I nodded to Grace. While I thought Grace and Spencer were adorable together, I wanted to check in with Wes. They hadn’t been physical before this.

“He thought she was dead.” Wes’ voice went rough.

“Yeah, he did.” Which had devastated him, I was sure. He’d lost one mate, then almost lost Grace, too.

“What’s for dinner? Spence, do you have something planned? Should we go out? Get takeout? Order food and grill?” Jett asked as we made our way across the lake back to the house.

Yeah, that feast had been delicious, but I was hungry again.

“I have something planned. It will take time to prepare though,” he stroked Grace’s hair.

Okay, I’d take care of Grace so that Spencer could cook and Bren and Jett could ‘nap.’

Grace’s eyes opened with a start. “Where’s my phone?”

“It’s in your room,” Spence replied, rubbing her back.

She relaxed. “Okay.”

“Peaches, we were considering staying here for a few more days, does that sound good to you?” Wes asked.

Grace nodded. “What about Ri?”

“Lexi’s going to bring her here tomorrow afternoon,” Wes said. “We should probably place a grocery order.”

Grace nodded and her eyes closed as she settled back into Spencer.

“I can do that. Any requests?” I asked.

“Ice cream,” Grace told me.

Spencer stoked her hair. “We still have some.”

“Marshmallows for roasting,” Jett suggested.

Giving my fishing pole back to Wes, I spent the rest of the ride back making an order. Finally we headed back. Wes and I hadn’t caught a single fish. When we docked, Spence carried Grace inside. Brennan and Jett went straight upstairs.

Spence came down the stairs and went into the kitchen. “I’m going to get dinner started. Grace is in her room.”

“I’m going to go make sure everything’s set so that I can stay a few more days,” Wes said.

“I’ll cuddle Grace. Join us when you’re done?” I gave Wes a kiss.

“I’d like that.” He grinned, showing off a dimple.

Grace lay in her little room, buried in pillows. But she wasn’t sleeping, she was on her phone. Tears pricked her eyes. Pain shot through our bond.

“Is everything okay? Do you want privacy or a cuddle?” I asked from her doorway.

She held out her arms and I kicked off my shoes and joined her in her bed, getting snuggly. Still holding her phone, she started to cry.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” I squeezed her to me.

“I left myself written notes on my phone,” she sobbed. “I haven’t read them all yet–and there aren’t notes for everything. But already the memories are becoming clearer–especially the final ones before he did the stabby-stab to make me forget again. I really did almost get sent away for good.”

I covered us with a blanket, so we were inside it, like a fort. My purrs filled the room, and I held her tight.

Again. Shit. Stabby-stab. I caught that needle to the neck as he took her.

“You’re here where you belong,” I soothed. “You don’t have to talk about it right now. But we all really would like to know what happened. It might be better to do it before Riley comes tomorrow, too.”

She nodded. “Will you hold me while I read them?”

“Of course.” I held her as she scrolled through everything on her phone, occasionally sobbing.

While I was so curious as to what her notes said, I respected her privacy and just held her, flooding the bond with my love for her, my happiness that she was back in my arms. She’d tell me when it was time.

“Hey, can I come in? What do you need, Grace?” Wes asked, concern shooting through his voice and the bond.

“Boo-Bear! Hold me,” Grace demanded, putting her phone on the ledge of the window.

Wes joined us in bed, holding her, purring while she sobbed. He looked at me.

“She’s remembering and it’s hard,” I said softly, rubbing her back.

We sat there holding her until she was almost asleep.

Spencer stood in the doorway. “The main course is in the oven. Grace…”

Her hands went out. “Hold me, too.”

I rolled Grace on top of me, making room for Spencer and patting the space beside me.

With a shrug, he joined us, the bed a little small for the four of us.

“Perfect.” A contented look crossed her face.

“I’m glad.” Spencer smoothed her hair.

Alpha purrs filled the room, cocooning us in warmth and love as we all just laid there for who knew how long.

Finally, Jett stood in the doorway. “So, that’s where everyone is.”

Grace waved and blew him a kiss.

Sharing her with Jett had been mind-blowing–and I was looking forward to seeing if I could extend that outside the nest. He even called her Babydoll. Not that seeing Brennan come in her mouth and take her ass wasn’t sexy.

She motioned at him with her hand.

“Peaches, your puppy pile is a little crowded.” Jett grinned at us, lounging against the wall in only some shorts.

Brennan stood at his shoulder. “Oh.”

Grace’s hands went out. “Gimme.”

“She wants you two to join the pile,” I translated, glad she wanted them to be with us–because I certainly did.

“Twist my arm.” Jett dove in, partially laying on top of her. She giggled.

Brennan stayed in the doorway, a frown tugging at the corners of his mouth. “I don’t think there’s room for me.”

I got just a touch of something through the bond from him. Not jealousy or hurt, but longing.

“There’s always room for you.” Grace gave him a firm look. “Now come over here or I’ll do the dishes the wrong way for a week.”

“I don’t respond well to threats,” he tried to growl, clearly suppressing a laugh. Jett chuckled.

“It’s a promise, not a threat. Now please, Head Alpha, please stop being a drama llama and cuddle us?” She batted her eyelashes.

Drama llama? I snorted at the imagery.

Wes scooted over so there was a smidge of space between me and him, I moved her until she was partially on Spencer.

“Please, Alpha? We need cuddles,” I added, batting my eyelashes, too.

“You two are ridiculous. This is how it’s going to be now?” Brennan joined the pile.

“It’s always been this way, it’s just more obvious with two,” Spencer replied.

The alphas thought that they were in charge, but Grace and I ran the show.

Grace made a happy noise. “Thank you.”

“Of course.” Brennan got comfortable, partially smooshing me in the best way. This.

Jett’s amber. Spencer’s leather. Bren's pine. Wes’ fresh laundry. My lemonade. Grace’s peaches. Everything wove together in a big tapestry of scent as the purr of three alphas, and the hum of three very contented people filled the room.

And my bond lit up with happiness. Not just Grace and Wes, but Brennan and Jett, too.

This was what I needed, everyone, all together, in a giant pile full of love. My family.

All we needed was Riley, and we’d be complete.