Knot a Good Idea (Bittersweet Omegas #4)

Chapter 14

14

APRIL

“Holy shit,” Skylar says. “Holy shit !”

I can’t help but grin as my best friend drives us away from the packhouse. “So, what did you think?”

Skylar showed up in the morning after I gave her the gate code and met Hunter and Liam, while Donovan was nowhere to be found.

I don’t care, though.

If he wants to be a closed off bastard, that’s fine with me.

His packmates are more than enough company.

And Skylar’s excitement about my situation is infectious.

“You’re living a fairy tale! This is crazy! And the guys were so sweet! Oh my god, April, I’m just so fucking happy?—”

“You’re also hyped up on a lot of iced coffee,” I observe.

“Well, yeah. If you’re going to make me get up at six in the morning on my day off, I’m going to take some rocket fuel before I get you. Also, I had to tell Devyn a thousand times she couldn’t come with me. So, be prepared to play Twenty Questions with her.”

I chuckle. “I’m more than prepared.”

“I don’t know if you’re ready to handle your mom, though. She’s skeptical, to say the least.”

I sigh. “I’m not surprised.”

I’m not looking forward to having that conversation and only giving my mom half-truths.

“But I really like them, April,” Skylar insists. “I have a good feeling about them. But where was the other guy? Donovan?”

I shrug. “Probably still sleeping.”

It’s a total lie. Thanks to Liam, I know Donovan is up at five in the morning without exception, channeling his asshole-ness at their home gym.

But he’s made it clear this is strictly business to him, and that it should be that way for me.

Yet after kissing Liam and spending so much time with him and Hunter, I’m starting to want more than just something fake.

Donovan is the only one who knows what I’ve been through—and he doesn’t want me.

So, I doubt Hunter and Liam would be interested once they know about my past, too.

“Well, I love this,” Skylar says, breaking me from my train of thought.

“Love what?”

“You’re more relaxed. Even being in the car with me, you’re more open.”

“Hmm.”

“It’s a big deal, April. I’m over the fucking moon for you.”

“Yeah, but they don’t know about everything, Skylar. They don’t know what I’ve been through,” I murmur. “I mean, Donovan knows to some extent, but the others don’t.”

“And when they find out eventually?” Skylar turns to me while we’re at a red light. “You know they’re only going to be amazed at your strength.”

I shift uncomfortably in my seat. “I doubt it. I’m kind of an insufferable bitch.”

“Don’t say that about yourself, or I swear I’ll drive us off a cliff and crash into one of these ridiculous mansions. Then you’ll never get laid again because you’re a ghost.”

I can’t help it. I let out a loud guffaw as Skylar grins.

I’m slowly starting to feel more like myself again.

Devyn is at my mom’s house waiting for me.

“Who the hell is at the café?” I demand as I enter the front room, dropping my suitcase next to the couch.

“Luke and Jamie, and I’m on my lunch break!” Devyn squeals, hugging me, her floral scent perfuming the air. “I wanted to say hi! I missed you!”

“I was gone for a weekend, Devyn,” I chide. “I wasn’t that far, either.”

“I know, but I still missed you!”

“She did.” My mom enters the room and gives me a soft smile. “We’re glad you’re home, honey.”

But there’s still concern in her eyes, along with pity and a hint of sadness.

All things she shouldn’t have to feel for me.

I hate it.

“So, you really have a pack now? Tell me everything!” Devyn adds.

Skylar chuckles and plops down on the couch. “Yeah, April. Tell us everything.”

She waggles her eyebrows at me, and I fight the urge to scowl at her.

“Well,” I say, taking a seat at the opposite end of Devyn, “we’re officially dating.”

“Oh, my god,” Devyn yells. “Oh, my god !”

“Devyn,” my mom sighs. “Can you lower your voice, sweetie? It’s a little loud.”

Devyn has slowly turned into the chaotic demon child of myself and Skylar. We’re her best friends, and she’s become our number one cheerleader.

But she’s very loud and excitable about it.

It’s endearing, but at times, overwhelming.

“Sorry, Tammy,” she says, not sounding apologetic at all as she sits next to me. “But I have to know everything, and I can only stay for like ten more minutes.”

“There’s not much to know,” I tell her. “They started a tech company and they like board games.”

Devyn blinks, then sighs in disappointment. “You’re right. That’s pretty boring.”

Skylar bursts out laughing while my mom stands near the couch and keeps an eye on me.

“So, what did you do this weekend?” she asks, keeping her voice light.

But I recognize that suspicious tone.

“Well, I told you before, we had that art gala,” I say, keeping my tone neutral. “It was nice.” I turn to Devyn. “You want to see my outfit for it? I have pictures on my phone.”

Her bright blue eyes widen. “Yes! Yes, show me.”

“How much caffeine have you had today?”

She smirks. “Not enough.”

My mom lingers in the room with us, and as soon as Skylar and Devyn leave, the tension between us grows thick.

She follows me into the kitchen as I grab a glass of water.

“So,” she starts. “Do you want to tell me why there’s a sudden generous donation in the fundraiser account?"

"Skylar told me something about that.” I put my glass down and lean against the counter, looking anywhere but at her.

“Yes. More than enough to cover all expenses and salaries for the next five years.”

That gets my attention. “Wait, what?”

How much did Donovan deposit?

Five fucking years ?

My mom doesn’t look relieved. She looks livid.

“Yes. An anonymous donor.” Her eyes narrow as she glares at me. “To celebrate finding you safely.”

I swallow. “That’s a good thing, right?” I ask shakily. “Now we don’t have to worry about everyone’s jobs. We can do much more with the café.”

“What did you do, April?” My mom’s voice is soft.

I cross my arms. “What do you mean?”

“Do you really think I’m that stupid?”

I frown. “Absolutely not. You’re the smartest person I’ve ever met.”

But my mom’s anger only grows. “Then explain to me why you’re suddenly going on helicopter rides with a man you’ve met once . And why money is mysteriously appearing, after we talked extensively about our financial troubles.”

I shrug. “Coincidence.”

She cocks her head. “Coincidence.”

“Yes. Why are you so upset? This is a great thing for us. We can pay off loans, everyone can keep their jobs?—”

“Are you selling yourself?” My mom’s voice breaks on the last word.

The world stops.

The accusation is a slap in the face.

It makes my chest ache, and my mouth falls open in shock.

“Wha— what ?!” I stammer, unsure I heard her correctly.

“Are they paying you to…” My mom shakes her head and swallows. “April, are they?—”

“No. No , they’re not. I’m not fucking them for money. And even if I was, what the hell ?”

Traitorous tears fill my eyes at her accusation. That she would even think that I would do that?—

“Your self worth has been awful since…since…”

“Since I came back?” I shout, slamming my hand on the kitchen island. “You can say it. Since they found me in that empty parking lot, filthy and sick! Is that what you mean?”

We’re both crying now, and it’s awful.

“There’s something you’re not telling me,” she accuses, her eyes glassy with tears. “And I’m tired of you lying to me.”

I shake my head. “I’m done with this conversation.” I sniffle. “Instead of being happy for me, you’re finding reasons to discredit it.”

Liar. You know she’s right.

Well, not about the sleeping with them part.

But am I pretending to be their girlfriends for money? Absolutely.

My mom shakes her head in exasperation. “Whenever you’re ready to tell me what’s really going on, I’m here.”

I bite my lip, guilt overwhelming me. “I’m telling you exactly what’s going on. I’m dating again. I’m getting out there again, like everyone has told me to. ”

She doesn’t believe me, though.

Tammy Waters has always been able to see through my bullshit.

But this time, I won’t budge.

The NDA won’t let me and neither will my pride.

With a huff, my mom storms out of the kitchen, leaving me feeling like a piece of shit daughter.

One that will never be normal again.