Page 25 of Sweet Whiskey

KINSEY

Resting against my car, I stare at the building with the envelope in hand.

It’s been two weeks since Colt showed me around the house they all bought.

We usually grab breakfast together since we’re all early risers, then they work at the ranch and I have my shift at Sweet Whiskey.

Thankfully, since I tossed my suppressants, I haven’t had any more heat spikes.

Maybe it's because I’m spending more time with them, but it’s allowed us to ease into our courting without the possibility of us combusting in our pants.

Maverick had found a reputable company to get the DNA test, and the results were waiting for me when I got into work last night.

I’ve been too nervous to visit Levi by myself, only stopping by for the test swab.

Levi had been tired and wasn’t up for company for very long, so instead he and Maverick talked about the ranch until we left.

It made me feel like an outsider peering in, and I had shifted uncomfortably by the door the entire time.

“What are you doing?”

I startle at Maverick’s deep voice and blink up at him. “Trying to gather the courage.”

His eyebrow raises. “For what?”

A hollow laugh bursts from me. “To find out if he’s my dad or not. I—I’m nervous.”

Maverick nods, swallowing harshly before sighing and moving closer to me.

“If I’m honest, I don’t think he’ll care.

He talked about the whirlwind of a woman he met for years, and I bet they wish they had exchanged information.

Especially since he’s never really mentioned any of the other women he’s been with. ”

My heart hammers in my chest. “What about your mom?” I ask hesitantly .

Maverick’s jaw tightens. His boot scuffs at the broken concrete of the parking lot. “She found another pack, bonded with them instead. Left me with dad.”

“Your mom was an omega?”

He nods. “Yeah.”

“Oh.” My eyes drift back to the floor, unsure what else to say.

Maverick grunts, shifting on his feet. “Let’s go.”

I swallow down my nerves and follow him inside.

Levi looks up from his book when we enter his room, smiling as he glances between Maverick and me.

“You got some news for me?”

I swallow, waving the packet. “Yup.”

Levi pats the bed to his side. “Well, come on over, honey.”

Maverick waits by the door as I head to sit next to Levi.

My heart is hammering inside my chest. Ever since I’ve been off suppressants, I’ve realized how much of the world they dulled.

I can smell emotions, the way Levi’s oleander scent warms as I get closer, as if he already cares for me.

The way Maverick’s had turned a bit bitter when he saw the envelope in my hand by the car.

It crinkles in my hand as I sit, and I fumble to straighten it on my lap. Levi reaches over and squeezes my hand.

“It doesn’t matter what it says in there,” he says softly.

I look up at him with tears in my eyes. “It doesn’t?”

He shakes his head, a mischievous smile pulling on his lips. “From what I hear, you’re about to become family either way.”

My eyes drift to Maverick in confusion, who sighs and rubs a hand down his face. “Everyone on the ranch is family.”

My heart explodes with longing and affection when I think about Colt, Dallas, and Brooks. I blush and clear my throat. “Oh. Yeah, I’d like to think so. ”

“Let’s hurry this up. I gotta get you to the doc, Pops," Maverick says with an eyeroll.

“Oh. I didn’t realize you had plans. I can come back later,” I say.

Levi scoffs. “Plans? Nothing important. That old quack is always trying to sell me some pills.”

Maverick lets out a growl. “Dad, I told you to stop saying that.”

I stifle the amused smile lifting on my lips. “I’m sure they’re trying to help you.”

He gives me a disgruntled look, then grunts. “Let’s open that up. I’d rather talk about you.”

With shaky hands, I rip the top from where it’s glued and pull at the sheet. My eyes skim over the entire page before trying to focus on exactly what it says. I gasp, turning to Levi with tears in my eyes. I hand it to him, and a smile stretches over his face as he reads over it.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” he says. Levi sets the paper down and opens his arms. “Well, give your dad a hug. ”

Maverick inhales sharply as I stand and hug Levi with a hiccuped sob. It still hasn’t sunk in yet that he’s my father, the one I’ve been searching for. It’s still too surreal.

I move back into the seat, wiping my tears. “I wish…I wish we had the money to come find you earlier. When Mom—when she was still alive.”

Levi’s face falls and he nods. “Me too, darlin’. But no point in dwelling in the past. We can focus on the future, and I hope you’ll stay in town. You need somewhere to stay? Maverick will get you set up in the house.”

I look over at Maverick, who does not look like he enjoys his place offered so freely. I shake my head. “No, my best friend and I are staying at the inn. You’ll have to meet her one day. I think you’ll like her.”

Maverick grunts, and I stifle a smile. If I don’t take her to meet Levi, I’m sure he will, since I’m pretty sure Brielle and him are scent matches. Or at least, I hope so a bit.

Levi reaches out, squeezing my hand. “Don’t be shy to ask if you need anything. I’ve already missed so much time getting to know and take care of you. I’d like to make sure you’re set up for the future.”

“I’ll take care of it, Pops. Don’t worry about it,” Maverick offers, and the sincerity in the statement warms my heart.

“Thank you. I really just wanted to find you after losing my mom.”

His throat bobs and he nods. “It’s a shame we lost her. I would have liked to see her again.”

With a sad smile, I lean over and give him a loose hug. It still feels weird, like touching a stranger, because that’s what he is. The DNA test may have confirmed our relationship, but it will take time to build a connection.

“I’ll walk you out to your car.”

I nod and kiss Levi goodbye on the cheek.

“Visit me more often, yeah?”

Tears gather in my eyes. “Of course.”

Maverick is beside me as we head to the parking lot, and as soon as we get to my car, I turn to face him. His stoic eyes stare back into mine before he glances away, uncertainty shining in them.

“I always wanted a brother.”

His lips twitch, and he turns back to me. “Me too, but I guess a sister is alright.”

I smile. “Are you sure? I—uh, I don’t want to intrude.”

Maverick scoffs, then starts laughing. “Kinsey, even if that test came back negative, you have my ranch manager and two of my best ranch hands wrapped around your pinky.”

Blushing, I shove at his arm. “Stop. You know what I mean.”

His smile dims and then he nods. “Yeah, I know. I’m gonna be honest, I don’t know if I’ll make the best brother.

Pops was a little too busy with the ranch to really bother with me.

Mom found her scent matches when I was two and ran off with them.

The guys are the guys, and I’d consider them family, but at the end of the day we’re all doing our own thing.

” He shrugs at the end, as if he didn’t say some of the most heartbreaking things .

I lean against my car and shrug back. “My mom basically worked herself to death to put a roof over our head and me through the omega academy. I didn’t get as much time with her as I would have liked. Brielle is like the sister I never had.”

Maverick’s expression brightens at the mention of Brielle, but he doesn’t say anything. “Well, I know Levi will want to see you. Just let me know anytime you want to come. I’ll go with you if you want company.”

“I’d like that. Thank you.”

I’m halfway to town when a cramp has me gasping and pulling over to the side of the road. My arm wraps around my stomach and my eyes water. My shirt feels sticky, like I’ve been sweating profusely.

Groaning, I sit up straight as the pain lessens, and I blow out a long breath.

My knuckles tighten over the steering wheel, and I glance around.

I’m close to the house that Colt showed me, but I doubt anyone is home.

My body tenses as if preparing for the next cramp, and I make my decision. I won’t make it to town.

When I pull down the driveway, ducking under the trees again, I nearly cry in relief when I see a parked truck.

A blond head pops out from the front door as I pull in closer, and Brooks watches me with a confused look.

I almost start drooling at his bare, glistening chest and formfitting jeans as he walks toward me.

“Kinsey?”

My legs tremble as I climb out of the car, and he hurries to my side, catching me around the waist. “You okay?”

I shake my head. “Heat spike. I was going to pull over and get off, but I’m really glad to see you.”

A conceited smirk pulls on his mouth. “You just want me for my body, huh?”

I laugh a little breathlessly as I lean closer, inhaling his scent with a moan. He chuckles, picking me up effortlessly and carrying me toward the house.

“Let’s get you inside and see where you’re at,” he says as my hands explore his shoulders and my legs wrap around his hips.

When we get through the door, he sets me on the kitchen counter and grabs water from the fridge.

It’s amazing how different it already looks from when Colt brought me.

They must be working hard to get this done, and it tugs at my heart.

It’s meant for all of us if we choose to become a pack, but I know they’re building it for me.

I take the bottle from him, gulping down the cold ice water before tipping the rest of it over my chest.

“Woah, Kins,” Brooks says, jumping away from the splashes.

Pulling the wet shirt stuck to my skin off, I fan my face. “I’m really hot. Like, I’m burning up.”

His eyes flash and then he leans closer, inhaling sharply. Brooks staggers back the next second, covering his nose with his hand. My eyebrows furrow, and a whine escapes my throat.

He shakes his head. “No, no. Sweet girl, it's because you smell so good. I’m trying to stop myself from going into a rut. ”