Page 44 of Dream Mates (Into The Parallel Omegaverse #2)

The Center’s Crisis Response Team came into often traumatic and volatile situations.

They were trained in a lot of different things including crisis management, conflict resolution, and field medicine.

Sometimes, especially in hostage situations, they were our line inside.

They also worked with shelters, hospitals, fire stations, schools, universities, jails, nursing homes, government agencies, the Department of Dependent Services, and so many other places.

Also, they aided in emergencies, disasters, and humanitarian situations.

“Will they send you away for training?” That could be difficult, but if it was what he wanted, we’d work it out.

He shook his head. “It’s here. I’d have to lighten my caseload, but I could keep some of my clients and I’d get paid for training. I could also do it in modules. Though if I do that, I might have to go to other places to fill in what I miss. It’s a big commitment.”

“It is. But it’s amazing that they want you to do it. You’d be great at it.” Yeah, maybe I should see if I could get him attached to my station. We’d take good care of him and he’d be working a lot with Lexi and the Special Victims Unit.

“Thanks. It would be really good training to have. I’m just not sure I want to leave working with clients,” he told me.

There was a knock on the door.

“Come in,” Evan called.

Grace came in. Her eyes focused on us. “Oh. Sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“It’s fine, Peaches. We’re going to watch a movie– Drug Raccoons. Do you want to watch it with us? How did your event go?” Evan held out his arms.

Oh, yes, she had a Daedalus society thing tonight.

“The nice people weren’t there, but the speaker was good. Rami and Katie dropped me off. Spencer and Wes are still working.” Her eyes stayed on the ropes.

I got a little fear and apprehension in her peachy scent.

Evan looked down. “It’s pretty, right? He’ll untie me before we start the movie.”

Oh. Brennan said someone tied her wrists when they hurt her.

“Here, touch.” I took her small hand in mine, nails sparkly, and ran it along the ropes. “See, they’re soft so they don’t hurt him, and thick so they don’t cut him.”

“This makes me feel better. It’s like being smooshed by an alpha without the smooshies,” Evan explained.

“They are soft.” She bit her lower lip but allowed me to guide her hand along it.

“They’re not too tight. I take a lot of care to make sure he’s comfortable. Everything is done with consent here. Promise,” I reassured.

“It is pretty. I didn’t know it could be like that–like art or over your clothes.” Her voice was soft.

“Yeah, they can make people feel safe. They can be beautiful and healing, and not just used to hurt,” I explained, just like I had to both Evan and Brennan. It had been a lot easier to convince Evan. For Brennan it was a step in helping him reclaim himself.

“He can do something on you if you want to try, maybe your arm or leg,” Evan offered.

Grace shook her head. “I’m fine.”

“Okay,” I soothed. “It’s okay if you’re not ready. It’s also fine if you’re never ready.” I had some incredible ideas for her if she ever wanted to try.

“Really?” She took a chip from the bag.

“Really. Here, let me undo Evan.” I pulled Evan to me and explained to Grace exactly what I was doing, showing her every tie, every knot, just like I had with Brennan, and assuring her that I check in every step of the way.

There were a lot of ways that she and Brennan were alike, though I wasn't sure either of them realized it.

“And he can ask you to stop?” The anxiousness still lurked in her eyes.

“Always. Just like if I’m uncomfortable with something, I can stop. It’s about comfort, safety, and trust. So much trust, Babydoll.” I put the rope back in my bag.

“Oh.” She rubbed her wrists absently.

I nodded to the scissors. “In case we need a quick exit. Ropes are replaceable.”

“Okay.” Tears pricked her eyes.

I put the scissors in, zipped up the bag, and moved it out of her sight. I held her to me. “You can ask all the questions in this house, always, okay?”

“Okay.” She started to cry.

I held her tighter. “We’re right here.”

Evan joined our hug, stroking her hair. “We love you, Peaches. You know, maybe we should watch The Last Stand of Small Penis Man? I think we need something silly.”

“Okay. Jett, how did you learn it?” She stole another chip.

“I learned a lot of the same things my alpha brothers and cousins learned. Unlike some families, mine thinks knowledge is power. They figured it would make me more useful and valuable as a beta. I showed a talent for this, so when I moved here, my family arranged for me to continue studying it.” Growing up, they made me feel special for being a beta, like there were things only I could do.

If only more families were that supportive of their beta kids.

“The pictures Evan showed me were pretty.” She nodded.

He’d shown her those? They were extraordinary. We had one up on the wall in the playroom.

“I like creating art. Yes, I absolutely tie Evan up and rail him sometimes. But it doesn’t have to be like that–and everything is with consent and is agreed upon,” I assured.

“Using safewords is always okay,” Evan added.

“If you want to watch sometime, we can do that,” I offered.

“Now for the good stuff.” Evan got the gummy bears out. “Want one?”

Grace nodded. I was about to have her try half when she put the whole thing in her mouth.

“While I didn’t do anything in undergrad, we did occasionally take edibles and watch weird movies while I was getting my PhD. I’m guessing these are about the same.” She snuggled between us on the couch.

Evan took a blue gummy bear and turned the movie on. I put the lid on the tin. I shouldn't be getting high, since I had no idea how Grace would react, and no one else was home. Maybe when Brennan got home I’d have one.

The movie started. It was a very silly, over-the-top, badly-dubbed action movie, and didn’t seem to have much plot. But Grace and Evan laughed hysterically like it was the funniest, most well-written movie ever.

Grace was also very snuggly, pretty much laid out over our laps. I stroked her hair, enjoying spending more time with her.

She and Evan started feeding each other cookies. The movie was nearly done. Yeah, it would be much better if I was high. Another time. I grabbed a cookie.

My phone buzzed.

Brennan

Leaving now with the requested food.

Me

Sounds good.

Wes also texted.

Wes

Is Grace with you? She’s not answering me, but her location is at home.

Evan’s not answering either.

I took a picture of her and Evan eating cookies.

Me

Movie night.

Wes

Great. Spence and I will be home in a little bit.

The movie finished.

“The snacks are gone. Who ate our snacks?” Grace sniffed as she held up the empty chip bag and the empty box of cookies. “Jett, who ate the snacks?”

“You did, silly.” I tickled her.

“Who me?” She laughed and swatted at me.

There was a knock on the door.

“Hey, I have food,” Brennan called.

“Come in,” Evan replied. “I’m hungry.”

“Oh good. Someone ate all our snacks,” Grace announced.

Brennan slipped in and looked at Grace, then at me.

“I’ll share.” Whoops, I didn’t tell him to get any for her. But also, that’s not what the look was for.

He put the food on the table.

“You’re the best, Bren.” Grace leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him.

“Bren really is.” Evan joined the hug.

“I try.” Brennan just stood there, blinking.

“Here, it’s spicy, you’ll like it.” I opened the spicy shrimp dish Brennan always got for me and handed it to her.

“Thanks, Jett. You’re also the best. The bester? The bestest?” Grace leaned in and kissed me.

Before I could react, she’d grabbed some chopsticks and shoved food in her mouth.

“So good,” she muttered, mouth full.

“I can’t believe she can eat that.” Brennan sat down on the arm of the sofa. “Grace joined you for movie night?”

“Yeah, I didn’t take anything. They’re fine.” Grabbing another pair of chopsticks, I reached over Grace and grabbed a bite of shrimp.

Grace giggled as Evan fed her some of his food.

“Do you need anything for your trip, Grace?” Brennan asked. She was leaving in a few days with Spencer for the science convention.

“Sexy underpants.” Grace nodded.

Brennan made a choking noise.

“Oooh, right, because you’re going to get some quality time with Spencer.” Evan’s eyebrows waggled as he fed her another bite.

“Probably some matching sets?” I ate more shrimp.

“Yeah. He’s totally that kind of guy.” Evan nodded. “We’ll go Saturday. Riley needs to go to the mall anyway.”

“Okay. Bren, are you a thong guy?” Grace asked in earnest.

I stifled a laugh as I continued eating. High Grace was fun.

“No, I don’t like to wear thongs.” Brennan was trying not to laugh.

Her eyes rolled. “That’s not what I meant.”

“He likes thongs, and you’d look great in one.” I kissed the top of her head, because it felt right to do so.

She grinned. “Well, maybe you’ll be lucky enough one day to see me in one.”

Mmmm. If only I should be so fortunate.