“True,” Tyson agrees, completely oblivious to the fact that most guys would take that as a dis to their masculinity.
Tyson sure isn’t worried about his masculinity being called into question.
“I’ll talk to Brody,” Riley says.
“Good idea,” I agree.
“You’re coming?” Grey asks. “This soon after mating?”
My eyebrows go up. “You think your sister would miss this send-off?”
“You got me there,” Grey agrees. “You’re avoiding being put back into the doghouse this soon. Smart.”
“Smart yeah, but it’s gonna be rough,” I mutter.
“Give him time,” Linc quips. “He’ll be back in the doghouse in no time.”
I roll my eyes and turn my attention to him and Joel.
“Whatever you guys are feeling is coming, let me just tell you… it’s bigger than you can imagine. The drama part is rough, especially if you land yourself in the doghouse like I did, but the good parts are gonna be better than you’ve ever had.”
“Lookin’ forward to it,” Linc says. “I’m ready.”
Joel says nothing. His eyes are active, though. He’s not blowing this off. He’s taking it in.
Before I leave, I fill them in on the trip I’ve booked as well as tell them there’s a chance me and Bailey are going to Alaska for a couple months. And I get nothing but support from these guys, my brothers.
I’m just hoping that whatever drama looms with Linc, that it doesn’t mean I have to postpone this trip with Bailey.
But my gut tells me there’s more drama on the horizon. Whether it’s got anything to do with that drone or not, I’m guessing we’ll soon find out.
***
When I get home, I find a message on my phone from Bailey. She’s gone to my parents’ place. My folks are driving Gwen to the airport and Taylor had an emergency with one of the kids so asked Bailey to sit with Sher.
I also got a message from my youngest sister saying she’s headed back to school and hopes to spend time with me and Bailey next month when she comes back to bring her boyfriend home to meet us.
My lip curls at the idea of some shmuck laying his hands on my baby sister, but I do my best to put it out of my mind, thinking on how great Grey is being about the fact that I can’t keep my hands off his baby sister.
I pocket my phone and decide to walk over to my folks’ place to sit with Bailey while we wait for them to get back.
53
BAILEY
It was strange waking up alone. The front door was locked, but I knew he had to have gone for a run with the guys since his phone and keys were here. He seemed restless last night, waking me up a few times by tossing and turning. I’m sure he’s bothered by the fact that a drone was in the village. I initially told myself it was a coincidence, but of course it’s not. It’s definitely something more.
Halfway through my first cup of coffee, Jase’s phone rang and it was Taylor. I answered it and that led me to now, here in Jase’s parents’ house, babysitting a sedated Sherry.
I’m in their dining room, which has been transformed into Sherry’s hospital room. The dining table is against one wall with the chairs stacked beside it. The table is now the prep station for Sherry’s care, piles of IV bags, medication, and other medical supplies on top.
I’m in the recliner that’s now in the corner, which was where Robert sat when me and Stacy visited. It has obviously been relocated for whoever is watching over Sherry.
My job is to just sit here, so I’m trying to read an e-book on my phone, but can’t help but feel strange about being in the Creed house babysitting the sedated sister-in-law who hates me. She looks so normal and non-bitchy while she sleeps. I’ve always thought of her as pretty on the outside and hideous on the inside. But I now feel sorry for her.
When I got here, Taylor was flustered and apologetic. Her middle child got into a fight at school, the fourth this month, and she needed to go in to pick her up. She told me she’d just finished doing all she needed to do for Sherry and there’s nothing for me to do but be here until Val and Robert get back, which they’ll do before Sherry needs more meds or an IV change.
I’ve only been here about half an hour and have just gotten off the phone with my mom, who enjoyed her spa trip, was stoked for us when I told her about the trip Jase planned. And I suspect Mom is hoping I don’t go to Alaska as she’ll miss me, but she was 100% supportive if it’s what I choose to do. She also says she’s dying to meet my wolf. She’s so happy for me, knows how hard it was in my adolescence to watch my peers meet their wolves. Mom took that on back then like it was her fault for not being shifter, which I never wanted her to do.