Page 82 of Talk About… Dramay

“Let me snag Roman since your mom will be coming before too long to help me fill their fridge.”

Cameron winced. “She’s going to kick my ass. I’ve not called her at all.”

“Go hide then,” I said, cracking up as he retreated like his ass was on fire.

“Is his mom scary?” Tate asked, alarmed at his reaction.

“Oh no, she’s incredible. Kind, sweet, caring. But she’s also not going to let them get away with anything,” I said before grabbing Roman.

He didn’t hesitate to switch jobs once he finished scrubbing the bathroom, and was thankfully at the end of his task.

That gave me just enough time to get the kitchen where she needed. The dishes and bottles were squared away, and then I just had to face the fridge.

I frowned, having no clue what was old or new and I didn’t want to throw something away they wanted.

They’d mentioned the journal had everything… I wondered if it had contact information, too.

Then as I closed the fridge I saw the post-it. Likely there for Mama Whitaker to babysit. I pulled out my phone and tapped in Arden’s number.

“Hello?” He sounded confused.

“Hey, Arden, I’m so sorry to bother you. It’s Oriana, Cameron’s omega. We stopped by to work on the heat at your house and I sent your pack to bed. Mama Whitaker is comingover with some prepped meals for you guys so I was going to make room. Is it safe to throw the leftover takeout away?”

“God, Avery would be so embarrassed,” he said, but sounded so relieved. “But we’re in no position to say no to help. Even with a pack it’s rough and I can’t miss work anymore. Yes, Oriana, throw all of it away. If they complain, blame me, but honestly, they’ll be too grateful and well rested. Seriously, thank you, this is going to turn things around.”

“We’re family now, we’re happy to help,” I reassured him. Someone in the background called his name so we said a quick goodbye.

At that point, the babies were passed out, two on Lane’s chest and one on Hudson’s, so Tate came to my rescue, helping hold a trash bag open while I cleared the fridge and wiped it out.

Then Mama Whitaker and Sidney were there. The next twenty minutes were full of hugs, introductions, and unloading groceries.

“So, you’re back for good?” Sidney asked as Mama taught Tate how to layer the dip she was making. He listened, indulging her, as Sid and I cut up fruit and veggies for them to easily grab out when they needed fresh food.

“Yeah, I am,” I said with a grin. “I missed this town.”

“It has its way of calling my friends home,” she joked. It was a sad smile on her face and I hated that I’d also left others, not just Cameron. She waved my frown off, though, refusing to let me apologize. “Don’t. You came first and no one would blame you. I’m glad you guys are working it out. Cam was insufferable without you, he nearly got his ass kicked once a week, I swear.”

“I believe it,” I snorted. “Avery said he was an asshole. It’s crazy, he was so sweet to me before everything fell apart.”

“Yeah, gotta love trauma,” she deadpanned, making us both laugh.

As the containers piled up, we settled into easy conversations and laughter. I hadn’t realized it was just my family I left behind in my hasty escape, it was this family, too. A collection of friends and extended family that I hadn’t realized I’d missed until this moment.

“Hey, what’s this about?” I nearly jumped at Cameron’s gentle voice. I’d stopped moving and when he tossed his gloves aside to swipe a finger over my cheeks, I realized I was crying.

“Sorry, it’s stupid,” I huffed. “Just me realizing how much I missed all this.” I gestured around and was thankful they either didn’t notice, or pretended not to.

“Stop calling your emotions stupid,” Cam grumbled as he pressed a kiss to my head, lingering there and breathing me in, giving me a dose of his own scent that calmed some of the stray emotions that had bubbled up.

“There’s my son,” Mama Whitaker said, voice accusing. He didn’t back away, he met her head on.

“Hey, Mama.”

“Don’t you, ‘hey Mama’ me, boy,” she growled. “How were you not going to give me a single update, not even to tell me if she hated the snacks or your attempts at saying you’re sorry for being a dumbass?”

“Oh, ouch. I like her,” Lane said with a laugh, his voice low so he didn’t disturb the babies.

She grinned at my mates before finishing up what she was doing. With her keeping order, we managed to make a solid two weeks of meals, snacks, and easy grab items in under two hours.