Page 63 of Rugged Hearts: Part One
THEA
Dress warm, he says. It’s the middle of December so of course I’m going to dress warm. That was all Liam said about our date. I’m currently pacing this obscenely large closet, which my clothes barely take up any space in, I might add. Looking down, my eyes catch on my sailboat tattoo. It’s mostly healed but I’ve been making sure to put lotion on it multiple times a day. That’s what Eric instructed when he told me the post care items to do. Plus a few of the guys reiterated it, making me curious what tattoos I haven’t seen yet. I can’t wait to show Sophie, she’ll love it.
The alarm on my phone goes off, bringing me back to reality. It’s now the latest possible time to start getting ready. Fuck it, I’m going with my go-to outfit. I smile internally at the annoyance it will cause Liam when he first sees it. Grabbing a maroon skater skirt, white chunky sweater, fleece lined tights, and boots, I lay them out on the island because what closet doesn’t need an island. This should be fine; the tights will be warm enough. Thankfully my hair and makeup are done. I went simple especially since I’m not very good at makeup other than the basics. Changing out of my house clothes, I take a minute to take in my appearance. Still have my belly, all soft and the two rolls at mysides, thick thighs and calves let’s be honest. I love my body, it keeps me going, even when I think I can’t. It’s beautiful, I wish sixteen year old me knew that but I’m glad I was able to accept and love myself all through my twenties. Hating my body and fighting against myself was exhausting. Look teenage me, you’re still fat, but you had the love of an amazing alpha for over eight years, and are falling for seven other men—we always deserved love, even from ourselves.
It’s been a long time since I’ve stopped to appreciate how far I’ve come. How I feel now is automatic I don’t need to work at it which is great. But having these moments now and then to acknowledge how I used to think versus now helps a lot.A flash of a memory resurfaces and for once I don’t push it down. It’s of me and Connor in our apartment in Florida. I was standing in front of the mirror, much like I am now as he came up behind me, running his hand up and down my arms, then stomach and breasts, as he kissed my neck from behind.
“Hope you liked the show Connor,” I say to his possible haunting spirit. Even if he isn’t here in this room, he’s out there somewhere. I finally get dressed so Liam doesn’t freak if I’m late. Hustling down the stairs to the main floor, as I round the corner to take the last flight from the second floor to the main one, I run into the last person I need to interact with right now.
Strong hands grab my arms to steady us both. “Be careful, you could’ve hurt yourself,” Micah barks out. Even when he’s saying something caring he still does it in a tone. I often wonder if he has a tender bone in his body, not because I want to kick it or anything.
“I’m fine, trust me you don’t need to waste any of your precious energy on me,” I reply. It feels good giving him some of the attitude he’s been giving me.
“What does that mean?” he asks genuinely, seeming perplexed, no hint of a tone in sight.
I look at him as if asking if he’s serious, and he just stands there waiting. Sighing because I don’t want to have this talk rightnow, I say, “Micah, I know you don’t like me, hate me is more accurate. The others have alluded, but not said specifics, that it’s your own baggage. I get that, trust me I do, but I’m not going to let you keep taking it out on me. We’re both in the same pack, I hope we can just be civil going forward. But like I said I’m not going to take the attitude and insults anymore, so I’ll meet you where you’re at. Give me attitude and I’ll give it right back.”
He looks shocked. Did he really never expect me to stand up against him? If I’ve learned anything since this scent match stuff came about it’s that yes, we are all made to end up together in some cosmic or biological way. Like Keelan said I’m made for them, and that means all their different personalities, moods, interests. Of course I can handle the grumpiest among them. It just took me a while to find that part of myself again. Maybe it’s Connor pushing me. Gods what I’d give to see him interact with Micah. I actually think if he’d stop with his ‘I hate Thea’ attitude. Him and Connor would have become good friends, especially since…No not going there today.
“I never hated you Thea,” he says softly, the first time I’ve ever heard him sound like that. Looking into his dark brown eyes, he seems conflicted, but he just walks away down the hall towards his bedroom. I don’t understand him. I never acknowledged the whole pancakes, cooking for me thing, and then this. I can’t think about Micah and his mixed signals, I have a date tonight with an alpha who seems to actually like me, even at his grumpiest.
Taking the last flight of stairs, I end up following the noise to the kitchen where the rest of the guys—except Jake who’s working—are hanging out as Ben cooks. They’re all laughing and jostling each other, having fun. It’s nice seeing them like this, just being a pack of brothers goofing around. Eli is the first to catch me lingering in the doorway and gives out a loud whistle as he eyes me up and down. “Sunshine, ditch the doc and I’ll take you on a better date than he will,” Eli says dramatically. I roll my eyes at his teasing, and Liam takes the chance to elbow him.
Deciding to avoid the inevitable lighthearted fight that wouldensue if I went over to them all sitting at the island, I walk over to Ben who’s cutting up some veggies. He has a small bowl of carrots already cut, so I grab a couple from there. Ben sees this and just shakes his head, smiling. “Hey, Boss,” he says playfully. I give him a side hug so as not to interrupt too much. Ever since the other night he’s been calling me that teasingly. I don’t hate it. “Don’t worry I’ll save some plates for you guys in case you want anything when you get home.”
“Thank you.” I kiss his cheek.
“Okay enough,” Liam says loudly. I haven’t noticed what they were doing opposite us, too caught up in Ben’s scent. “Thea, are you ready?” Liam asked exasperatedly, which I assume is due to Eli more than me.
“Yup,” I say, popping the ‘p.’
Saying goodbye to everyone as we leave, Liam holds my hand and leads us out of the pack house. “So can I know what we’re doing now?”
“Nope,” he says, popping the ‘p’ right back at me.
“Fine then I get to pick the music for the drive.”
He just sighs. I wonder how he feels about musicals.
“You are never in charge of the music ever again,” he says, truly exasperated now. I laugh, should it be so fun getting under your scent match’s skin? Eh, oh well. We’re now at a large building. I wasn’t paying attention when we pulled in so if there was a sign, I must’ve missed it. Taking my hand, he leads us inside. “I hope that outfit is warm enough.”
The inside of the building ishuge. There are bleachers along the sides…and glass? It’s a hockey rink. Are we watching a game? We round some of the bleachers passing the concessions which appear to be closed until we come to an open one called ‘skate rentals.’ There’s an older gentleman waiting there.
“Doc, how are ya?” the man says loudly.
“I’m good, thanks for the favor Mike,” Liam says as they shake hands.
“No worries, is this the one.” He raises his white eyebrows.
Liam laughs. “Yes this is my omega, Thea. Thea this is Mike Harding. He owns the rink.”
“So nice to meet you little lady. Glad someone finally cracked this one’s hard head,” he says, making me laugh out loud.
“Nice to meet you Mike, this place is great. I haven’t been ice skating since I was a kid.”
“Well she’s all yours tonight. Just gotta give you your skates.” We quickly give him our sizes and he grabs them for us.
“Just leave ’em on the counter when you’re all set,” he instructs, tossing keys to Liam, “and lock up the front door when you leave.” Liam agrees as Mike heads out.