32. Ivy

32

IVY

“James ran a bath for you, didn’t he?”

My blush gave me away.

“He’s good with those,” Rome said affectionately. He continued drawing lazy designs along my arm where Logan’s shirt had fallen off my shoulder. After his knot had gone down he had insisted on putting me in his clothes before we fell asleep.

James and Logan were snoring lightly beside us. Rome had come home late last night, squeezing into what little room he could find on the bed. I had climbed gracelessly over James so I could reconnect with my other alpha in the quiet hours of the morning.

“Where were you?” I asked, combing his rumpled hair through my fingers. There was a sleep line from the pillow across his perfect arched cheekbone.

I liked seeing him like this.

His mouth lifted wryly. “I’ll show you later.”

“I—” I blinked as I got stuck, unused to expressing how I felt so plainly. “I missed you,” I said simply.

The effect was instantaneous. His eyes softened into an open vulnerability as he pressed his forehead against mine.

“God. I missed you too, Ivy.”

Simple words shrank weeks of distance between us.

He kissed my fingers. “I know you want to keep things professional at school and I agree,” Rome began. “But I really want to?—”

“Yes.”

He looked taken aback.

“But you don’t even know what I’m?—”

“Yes. Just yes, whatever it is.”

Rome’s eyes narrowed. “You’ve given me a lot of power right now.”

I smiled. “I know.”

“I could use it for evil.”

“You won’t.”

He sighed. “Now you’ve ruined it and summoned my conscience.”

He was so adorable I had to kiss around his neck until I found the spot that made him let out a high-pitched squeak.

“I only wanted to walk into school holding your hand,” he said, trying to sound serious as he protected his neck from tickles.

I squidged the tip of his nose with a finger and he huffed at the indignity. “I’d like that.”

Rome walked me all the way from my car to my classroom, head held high and yes, holding my hand. I don’t know if he was envisioning a crowd of gasping, fainting, clapping onlookers. It was very early and Bruce was the only one who saw us. The crusty old maintenance man didn’t give us a second glance but Rome stared him down like a viper.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, realizing he had fallen out of step with me.

“He shouldn’t have left the door unlocked last night,” Rome hissed.

“I told him I would lock up when I left. Don’t blame a man who is mentally sipping pi?a coladas on a beach in Florida,” I chided him. “I could’ve convinced him to let me set off a firework display and he’d tell me to try to keep it down.”

I went to open the door of my classroom and his hand shot out and stopped me.

“What is it?” I said with a confused laugh.

He shuffled his feet. “Before you go in…”

“Yes?” I prompted, growing more suspicious.

“I was in a…er, different state of mind last night when I found you.” His eyes were frantic, unable to meet mine. “Know that I had the very best intentions and I’ll help you revert it all back if you hate it.”

“Hate…what?”

Rome winced as I pushed the door of my classroom open.

My first thought was that Bruce must’ve finally oiled the hinges so it didn’t squeak anymore.

My second thought — far more poignant and life-altering — was that this was a kind of love meant for me and me alone.

The space posters I had wanted to put up but hadn’t gotten around to thanks to my below average height and lack of a ladder were on the wall. Exactly where I had envisioned them. There were perfect piles of flash cards, freshly laminated. Books sorted back into their tubs. Stationery caddies neatened and color coded.

I stared at Rome as realization dawned on me. “You fixed the door too, didn’t you?”

“Er, yeah. Just a bit of—” He mimed a spraying motion, his voice trailing off nervously before stuffing his hands back into his pockets.

I walked a slow circle and noticed how clean everything was. Every table had been wiped down, the shelves dust-free. My finger inched a drawer open and found the inside immaculate.

“How long did this take you?” I whispered.

Rome scratched the back of his head. “Several hours, I think? I mean, you three had been passed out for a while.”

My supply cupboard wasn’t completely restocked but it was certainly fuller than it had been yesterday. “Where did you get all this stuff?” I asked. “Nothing would’ve been open last night.”

“I stole it from the other teachers.”

I slammed the cupboard shut, standing in front of it with my arms braced as if I was expecting a police sweep. “You what ?” I hissed.

Rome was unrepentant. Growing with confidence as he realized that I did not in fact hate what he had done. He held his hand, one finger raised. “Jeff had stacks of construction paper in his office. Why? What the hell does he need it for? The man’s favorite activity is finding new ways to delegate his job.”

He continued ticking off more fingers. “I’m pretty sure Tom meant to order sports tape, not masking tape, so I did him a favor taking them off his hands, really. I hit as many classrooms as I could for a few spare pens and pencils from each so I don’t think anyone will miss them. But look how many you have now!”

Rome uncapped one of my whiteboard markers. “You have the same amount of whiteboard markers but I swapped the ones that were drying out with fresh ones.” A hasty scribble proved his point.

“Swapped with?—”

“The teachers who always manage to weasel out of bus duty.”

Revenge and organization. Was there no depth to the ways this man could make me swoon?

“I have to admit, I was a bit spiteful with Robyn’s classroom. That was personal. She owed you for the IEP so I took your payment in the form of Post-it notes, brown kraft paper and reward stickers. Hardly an even trade, but the best I could do.” He sniffed disdainfully. “Plus, it’s only temporary until all the donated supplies come in,” he added easily. “You’ll of course get first dibs and everyone else can share the rest amongst themselves.”

My head was spinning, overloaded with information. What donated supplies? I was still trying to process that my desk was dust and fingerprint-free.

“Oh! I also want to get you a plant.” He clicked his fingers and pointed at an empty spot on my desk. “Right here. Got any preferences or are you happy for me to surprise you?”

I stared at him. My beautiful, lovely, thoughtful alpha.

Then I burst into tears.

“Baby.” Rome rushed over and enfolded me in his arms. “No, I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

I only sobbed harder.

“I only wanted to show you that I can help. I’m happy to help.” He wiped the tears away and kissed me despite my unfortunate state.

“I’m sorry,” I blubbered. “It seems so stupid that I-I pushed you away when you…” I gestured helplessly at my surroundings.

“It’s ok,” Rome soothed me. “You’ve gotten used to not asking for help. We didn’t show you that we could. But now that you know…”

“I’ll ask for it when I need it,” I promised.

I saw the glint of hope. It was a big thing and we both knew it.

Small steps. Relearn. Rewire.

You’re no longer alone.

This would only make me a better teacher. And as I fought a fresh surge of tears, a better omega for my pack.

“Wait…did you say something about donated supplies?”

Rome’s grin was incorrigible. “You’ll see.” He checked his watch. “Oh, would you look at that? I have to get my room ready.”

He kissed me thoroughly, dipping me into the most ridiculous bend. I was left dizzy and disoriented, clutching my desk like a high society lady thoroughly ravished by a rogue. I had collected myself and dulled my perfume with a fresh application of No-NonScent Deodorant by the time my students arrived. They loved the classroom — how could they not? — and I fought the urge to cry all over again.

My omega was chirpy with delight that things were fixed with my pack. She was a very one-track minded instinctual being and was looking forward to a regular supply of alpha knots again.

My conscience, however, still had some serious repairing to do.

I was busy composing the perfect apology text to the girls during recess when Jeff knocked on my door. And immediately opened it before I even had a chance to answer.

“Ivy! It’s a madhouse. Obscene is what it is! I need you to?—”

“No.”

I didn’t even look up from my phone. Did I put too many exclamation marks? Could I replace a couple of them with emojis? But what emoji? I deleted my last line with a frustrated exhale. This was harder than I thought.

“Ivy, are you even listening to me?”

“Hmm?” I finally looked up at my principal, all red-faced and sweaty with outrage. “I’m on my break, Jeff.”

“B-but?—”

“Is it something that only I specifically am able to do because of my extremely individual skillset?” I asked, blinking at him earnestly.

He sputtered like a rusty clunker. “That’s not the point, you?—”

“That sounds like more of a you problem, Jeff.” I turned away, already losing interest.

I pursed my lips thoughtfully. A good charcuterie board solved a lot of things. I should invite the girls over along with my apology.

“I…how can you…why are you…” Jeff stamped his foot. “I can’t believe this! If you think I won’t remember this when performance reviews come around, you are sorely, sorely mistaken!”

He slammed the door shut and I collapsed in my seat, the adrenaline of standing up to him draining rapidly out of me.

My heart was pounding. There was still a section of my brain screaming at me that this was going to backfire in a big way. My students would suffer. I would be tossed out to the curb, pelted with rotten fruit and vegetables by the entire school.

But I was determined to drown it out. I reminded myself that my academic results and overall positive outcomes spoke for themselves. That’s what really mattered. Not…

I glanced out the window and saw Jeff trudging in the snow, yelling at a group of eighth grade boys building a gigantic snow penis complete with plucked shrubbery sticking out of the humongous balls.

That.

He’d handled it fine on his own. He just didn’t want to.

Feeling even better about my decision, I sent off my text to the girls’ group chat.

I’m so sorry about how our coffee catch up went. I know you were all just looking out for me. Let me make it up to you, please? My place whenever you’re all free – there’s a grazing board with your names on it.

A flood of gratitude swamped me as the replies came in thick and fast.

LUCY

There’s nothing to forgive!

OLIVE

We’d love to come over. Saturday?

SUMMER

I like brie

LUCY

Summer!

SUMMER

Maybe some prosciutto too

Brie and prosciutto coming up

Emotion welled up in my throat.

Love you girls.

I hugged the bombardment of emojis to my chest.

Caitlin was a simple fix. After all, having spats came hand-in-hand with sisterhood.

I’m a bitch

CAITLIN

It’s ok. I’m clueless. See you next dinner?

Of course

CAITLIN

Sweet

I already knew my parents would only care that I was feeling better but I wanted to apologize regardless. Mom picked up almost immediately when I called.

“Ivy! What a pleasant surprise. I never would’ve expected to see your name pop up. Aren’t you working?”

Oof. A gut punch of self-inflicted guilt. A daytime weekday call was shocking to her.

“Yes, but I’m on my break.”

“Wonderful, honey. Let me put you on speaker — I’m repotting my herbs. These poor dearies are not liking their new spot. I’m going to have to move them back beneath the kitchen window even though your father will never let me hear the end of it about how they’re in the way.”

Another stomach lurch. I probably would’ve gotten frustrated that she was talking too long about something that was irrelevant to me when I could be working.

I had to do better.

“Mom. I’m really sorry. About the other night.” My voice cracked and there was zero chance she wouldn’t notice.

“Oh, Ivy. Hun.” I heard a metallic thunk as she set down her gardening tools. “Are you doing better? That’s what matters to me.”

“Yes.” A wobbly smile formed. “A lot better. I…” Deep breath. In and out. “I was thinking of asking my pack if they’d like to come to dinner. But I wanted to make sure you and Dad were fine with it first.”

Mom inhaled sharply.

“Ivy Noelle Winter, your mother needs a warning before you give her a heart attack!” she wheezed. She sounded like she was running. Or at least trying to. I could picture her, hair flying, arms flapping as she bumbled through the house. “George!” I heard her screech for my father. “Can you cook for seven next time the girls come around?”

“Seven?!” he hollered back. “Are they dwarves?”

“Ivy and her pack and us, you big dolt!”

There was a long pause followed by a significant amount of scuffling before my dad’s gruff voice came through.

“This pack. They treating my girl well?”

I fought the urge to roll my eyes and smiled. “Yes, Dad. Very well. Better than I treat them, really.”

“That’s how it should be,” he sniffed. “Alright. Maybe I’ll smoke a nice brisket for them. Make a homemade spice blend. And better wood chips than the ones I got last time, that was a disaster— hey!”

Mom snatched the phone back. “We’d love to have them over,” she gushed. “Ask them and let us know when.”

“I will,” I said warmly, before asking how her morning was going.

By the time recess was over, I had done no work. But I had never felt better about how I’d spent my time.

There was one more bridge I had to repair, but I knew it was going to be on his terms. I didn’t expect him to show his face around me for a while and I completely understood.

But when I saw Felix two nights later, sleeping on the cushion Carmen put out for him in the window of Mariposa Market, I took my chance.

I purchased his favorite gourmet treats, made my way over to him and gave the bag a light rustle. One eye popped open, assessing me like a majestic sleeping dragon. He shut it promptly, his purr taking on a growly, unimpressed undertone.

“I’m really sorry, Felix.”

Both eyes open now. Thin slits judging me.

“I know you were only trying to help.”

His huff spoke volumes. You should’ve been grateful, you silly twit.

“You really do know better.”

One orange-y ear perked up immediately. Felix frowned, annoyed that his true feelings had been betrayed.

“Not just in this instance. In all things, really.”

I was really laying it on thick but I thought it was needed.

Felix uncurled himself, stretching his whole body out. His claws popped out before retracting as he shook himself off and leapt down from his cushion.

“You wanna come stay with me tonight?” I offered.

His tail swung lazily. I thought it was obvious? Do you want me to reconsider?

“My pack will be in my nest too, if that’s alright with you.”

I swore I saw a hint of a smile that he hid with a light headbutt of my legs. He padded over to the entrance of the market and sat waiting for me. I let out a sigh of relief, following after him.

I think everything was going to be alright after all.