“See? Effort was important,” I say to Tyson softly. He’s taking it all in. He doesn’t look spooked. He doesn’t even look concerned. He’s looking around and there’s a calmness coming from him, I think, unless I’m misreading him.
For someone who has spent most of his life with just one other person and the last few years alone, I’m surprised he’s not radiating a vibe of fish-out-of-water.
I see his eyes move to a taller pub-style table by the bar with several guys. A few sitting, a few standing. Riley’s there. The sitting ones all stand up as eyes swing to us.
Holy crap. That table is full of sexy, hot men. All of them look like they’ve put effort into their appearances. I’m glad I forced Tyson to buy new clothes for himself. My eyes bulge.
Cat, dressed in a flattering polka dot maxi dress and gladiator sandals, her long and curly hair up in a twist, emerges from a cluster of ladies by a long table that’s loaded with food platters. She and Riley are coming to us from opposite ends of the room. They arrive at the same time. More people are moving our way, including a group of other men, men who are a bit older.
And then people are making introductions and names and handshakes are shared rapid-fire. I do a lot of smiling and nodding, Tyson’s holding my hand and seeming not only receptive, but also at ease. More people flood the space around us and form an orderly line. Suddenly, we’ve got a receiving line that goes out the door with absolutely everyone here. My hands are getting shook dozens upon dozens of times. Some people shake his hand. A few older ladies grab and hug him. He seems completely at ease.
And then two little old ladies and a tall, older man approach and despite being advanced in years, they’re also fit-looking.
Riley whistles and people take notice of the three elderly people, move out of the way to let them cut the line, and Cat makes introductions.
“Ivy, Tyson, my mother, your grandmother, Aria, known to her grandchildren as Nan. My father Lawrence. Your father’s mother, Grandmama Carolyn.”
It feels emotional, but I hold myself together, not letting myself cry and ruin my makeup or make myself look stupid, until I catch the eyes of Cat who is openly weeping with joy as she watches her son greet and get welcomed by his grandparents, who are all looking emotional, even his grandfather who whispers something in his ear as he shakes Tyson’s hand. Ty has kissed both the older ladies on the cheeks and they’re both beaming with happiness. Another lady, close to Cat’s age, bounds over to greet Tyson with a hug.
She hugs me next.
“I’m Aunt Lucy,” she says, “Riley, Brody, and Trina’s mom. I’m Cat’s sister, too. We married brothers.” She smiles and gestures over her shoulder. A man with long, dark hair and a salt and pepper beard steps up behind her and holds his hand out to Tyson. “Atticus Savage. I’m your uncle.”
And he looks like he is, too. The resemblance is uncanny.
Tyson stares for a second and then takes the man’s hand and pulls him into a hug.
Whoa.
My chin wobbles as my eyes meet Cat’s and I try to blink the tears back, for her, for Tyson, for my own self composure, but it’s really, really difficult and the tears come anyway. I manage to stop myself just short of sobbing, but this takes a lot of effort.
I don’t know if Ty even knew he had family beyond Cat and Riley.
We spend a few minutes talking with the grandparents and someone snaps pictures of Tyson with them, Tyson with his mom, me and Tyson. My face hurts from all the smiling.
Five large, strong-looking, and ridiculously handsome men are with Riley and I know by looking at them that these have to be the other alphas of the pack. I recognize one, I think, that helped the day I was bit by the snake.
They all shake his hand and nod at me. Until the very last one of the group stops in front of Tyson and his eyes bounce between Ty and me. He’s a big, built, handsome guy with dark blond hair and dark eyes.
Riley steps up and gets between him and us. “This is Mason. Mason isn’t feeling his best. Mase? Hold it together, brother.”
He shakes Tyson’s hand and Tyson immediately growls. The guy releases Tyson’s hand and takes a step back. A big one.
I have no idea what the problem is here.
“Good to meet you,” Mason says. “And you.” He means me but he doesn’t look at me. He backs away, staring at his feet, and leaves, looking rattled.
Riley and another huge guy exchange looks. Another one goes out behind Mason after excusing himself.