Page 23 of Pack Me Up

The apartment’s never felt so full, or so alive.

Colton pulls out his phone and shoots off a text. At my raised eyebrow, he explains, “If we are in here, we will put Hunter on duty outside.”

“They’re smart,” Tommy praises. “And athletic.”

Colton and Cody watch us, the tension drained out of their posture now. Maybe seeing me with Tommy, all my walls down, is enough to reassure them.

“How would you know?” Cody asks.

“You’ve body checked fans in front of me before,” Tommy points out.

Colton’s mouth twitches. “I’ve body-checked a lot of crazy fans.”

Tommy grins, triumphant, and Cody actually cracks a smile too, just a little, quick as a blink, but it’s there.

“I told you,” Tommy says to me. “They’re good guys. A little scary, but in a hot way.” He glances at the twins again, then drops his voice. “Not my type, but absolutely yours.”

I smile, really smile, and something in the air shifts. The room is still full of tension, but it’s not the dangerous kind anymore. It’s the good kind. Tommy throws an arm around my shoulders and cackles. “I’m telling everyone. You’re officially off the market.”

“Like I was ever on it,” I say, rolling my eyes.

But it’s true. For the first time in my life, I feel wanted. Not just by a pack, but by my people, by Tommy, by Oli, by the weird family forming around me, whether I like it or not.

I rest my head on Tommy’s shoulder, eyes drifting shut as he launches into a story about his latest encounter with the Hart Pack. The twins stay where they are, silent sentries, but their presence feels normal.

I let myself breathe, really breathe, and soak in the feeling of being surrounded and protected.

The world outside is still loud, still sharp, still dangerous.

But here, for now, I’m safe.

Tommy’s mood boomerangs back to giddy. “Did you know we’re trending on the indie charts again? Not even a day after announcing the gig with Oli, and we’ve got, like, fifteen thousand new followers. I ran the numbers. You could actually quit your day job if you wanted.”

“I don’t have a day job,” I remind him.

“Then you could get one just to quit it,” he replies, triumphant.

Colton laughs, deep and real, and I almost fall off the couch from the shock of hearing it. Cody gives a grudging nod, which I decide is equivalent to applause.

I remember suddenly that Tommy missed the rehearsal yesterday. “Hey, where were you yesterday?” I ask, squinting at him. “Oli said you were sick, but you look fine now.”

Tommy’s cheeks flush. “Oh, uh, yeah. I was… busy.”

“Doing what?”

He wiggles, trying to duck my gaze. “I met someone.”

I stare. “You what?”

Tommy grins, caught. “I know! Insane, right? I mean, I know it’s not, like, fated. But it’s cute, and he’s nice, and I think he actually likes me.”

Cody snorts. “Is it someone we know?”

“Probably not,” Tommy says, suddenly shy. “It’s early. But… yeah. I guess it’s a thing.”

I want to needle him for details, but I can see the fear that saying too much will break the magic, or worse, bring the weight of real life crashing down. So I let him have this, let him hold the secret close a little longer.

“I’m happy for you,” I say, and mean it.