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I choke out a laugh, a weight lifting off my shoulders. “It was disgusting,” I continue, a small smile on my face.
“His dirty undershirts? What do you mean?” Devyn cries, her mouth falling open.
I can’t stop laughing as I sit on my bed. I run my fingers over the textures of the nesting blankets as I give Devyn more details. “It was foul. They smelled like onion chips.”
“Holy shit!” she exclaims, but she catches herself, covering her mouth. “I’m sorry,” she mumbles. “I’m not laughing at what happened. I don’t mean it like that?—”
“No, I know,” I say. “It was so bizarre that I have to laugh at it, if that makes sense. Talking about it like this helps.”
Devyn removes her hand from her mouth and sighs. “Skylar, what the hell?”
I shake my head. “I know.” I run my hand through my hair, pushing it away from my forehead. “I never thought I’d come back home. I really didn’t. And now that I’m here…” I grip a thick nesting blanket and swallow. “It doesn’t feel real. Like I’m going to wake up back there.”
My friend bites her lip and takes a step closer to me. “But you won’t,” she says gently. “Could I sit with you? Or do you want space?”
I nod. “Just don’t get under the covers,” I say jokingly. “Or frolic around on it while you’re in Heat.”
She snorts, and I scooch aside so she can join me at the edge of my bed. “I know Tammy probably told you, but I’m staying here,” she says. “I’ll sleep on the couch. And I’m supposed to tell you that Ben needs you to give a statement, eventually.”
I swallow nervously and nod.
I don’t want to talk to anyone about what happened. I can mention bits and pieces, but to relive everything feels impossible.
It makes me want to climb into my new nest and shut out the rest of the world.
“Okay,” I murmur. I stare down at the blankets, twisting the fabric in my hands.
“Also, they never stopped looking for you,” Devyn says. “Vincent, River, and Landon were working nonstop. Landon rescued Omegas, River was beating up drug dealers, and Vincent was running background checks on everyone that was around you. I’ve never seen anything like it. They turned your house into a detective headquarters.”
I perk up. “They stayed here?” I ask, surprised.
Devyn nods. “Sometimes they did. It’s like they wanted to always be connected to you. Ben said they had a government stipend for hotel rooms, but a lot of the time they would just meet up here. They barely slept.”
My heart aches in my chest. “Oh,” I breathe.
It’s impossible to imagine all three of them would spend that much effort on me.
“They’ve kept an eye out on me, too, and not just because I’m an Omega, but because I’m your friend,” she adds. “Just because I’m important to you. And they checked on Tammy, too.”
I’m overwhelmed with gratitude as tears prick at the corners of my eyes.
Not only were they looking for me, but they took care of the people I cared about.
Jason never did that. He wouldn’t even get Tammy a Christmas present.
“And April,” Devyn adds quietly. “They are still looking for April.”
My stomach sinks.
“Oh,” Devyn whispers. “I shouldn’t have brought her up. I’m sorry.”
I shake my head. “No, I need to know all of this,” I say. “You’re just getting me up to date.”
“Yes, but that’s enough for now,” Tammy says, and I look up to see her standing in the doorway, her features soft. “You need rest. We can discuss this tomorrow. You’re safe now, Skylar. And we’re all here for you.” She shoots a Devyn a look. “I need a moment alone with Skylar, Devyn,” she says gently.
“Sure,” Devyn chirps, leaving the room and shutting the door.
Once Devyn is gone, Tammy gestures at my bed. “May I sit?” she asks.
