#BookThreads #booksky 💙📚 #bookstodon TCL's #ThrowawayThursday - Yes, you read that right! Throw AWAY! What is Throwaway Thursday? Basically, it's something silly I thought of and decided to do because I don't have a #bookreview for you all today on my #bookblog, but is about books and reading!
Hey everyone! Been working on the next chapter of ITSOS and I'm hoping to get it out in the next week. (Since it's a Christmas chapter it feels like it would be so weird to post it after.)
While I was editing some things, I ended up getting distracted and finding this bit I had scrapped from the last chapter. It's essentially 3k of Boo meeting Johnny's family. I ended up throwing it out when I felt like I needed to shorten the chapter and ended up completely redoing the beginning. Thought you all might like to see more interaction between the MacTavish's and Boo and it felt like a shame to completely erase it. 💜
The second the tires crunch up the long gravel drive, Bee’s pressed up against the window like a little kid. I can’t help but smile as I lean over, following her line of sight to the house slowly approaching us.
We’d stopped about an hour back for breakfast and a chance to stretch before the last leg of the trip. Johnny claimed the wheel after, Ghost just as adamant about riding shotgun. That left Bee and me tucked into the backseat, and with the road rolling out in front of us, we’d had plenty of time to chatter.
She’d been giddy from the moment we left the cafe, launching into plans about what decorations to grab to decorate the cabin we’d be in next week. She also insisted that we get matching dresses at the local market we’d be going at tomorrow, spilling about how cute it would look for photos and that we should get the guys matching outfits as well.
At one point, she started babbling about crackers and I teased her that she was acting more nervous than I was, but the truth was, her excitement made it hard not to feel lighter too.
We drifted from talk of gifts to holiday food, Bee going on and on about mulled wine while I countered hot chocolate was hard to beat.
By the time the long driveway appeared, our giggles were soft but constant. I caught Ghost and Soap looking back at us through the rearview mirror and sunvisor a few times, but only smiled back.
Now, as Johnny eases the car closer to the house, Bee grabs my arm with a squeeze.
“That’s it,” Johnny announces to us from the front. “Home sweet home.” His Scottish brogue thickens as if just seeing the building flipped a switch inside him.
The car rolls to a stop, gravel popping beneath the tires. Beyond the windshield, the house rises against the pale sky. It has stone walls that look weathered, but proud. Smoke curls from the chimney in such a way that it makes the whole place look like it’s right out of a children’s fairytale story.
Johnny’s practically vibrating as he throws the car into park and is out before the car fully quiets. Ghost follows more slowly, stretching long limbs as he steps onto the drive, his sharp eyes already sweeping the grounds like he can’t help but take measure of the place.
The front door bursts open before either of them can say a word. A woman barrels down the steps, apron still tied around her waist, cheeks flushed from the kitchen heat. “Johnny!”
“Mum!” Johnny shouts back, and in two long strides, he’s got her scooped up, spinning her in a hug that makes her laugh and scold all at once.
“You daft lad, put me down before you throw out my back!” she says, smacking his shoulder affectionately even as she kisses his cheek.
Behind her, a tall man follows at a steadier pace. He’s broad-shouldered and has that aged look about him that brings the thought of Dave to the front of my mind. His expression is caught somewhere between pride and exasperation. “Always makin’ a scene,” he mutters, though the corner of his mouth betrays a smile.
Bee fumbles with her seatbelt, grinning wide, but before she can even reach for the door, Ghost is already there. He pulls it open with a quiet efficiency and offers her a steadying hand like he does with me.
She takes it gratefully, muttering a small thanks, before he circles to my side and does the same for me.
Johnny finally sets hit mother down and looks back just in time to catch the scene. His mum arches an eyebrow, pointing at Ghost with a sly smirk. “See there? That’s how a gentleman treats a lady. You could take a note or two, John.”
Johnny scratches the back of his neck, ears pink. “Aye, aye, was just excited to see ye.” He clears his throat and makes his way back to his mate, wrapping an arm around her waist. She’s a bit hesitant, smoothing down her jacket like she’s suddenly aware of every wrinkle in it.
“Mum, Dad,” Johnny says proudly, puffing up a bit, “this is my mate.”
They exchange small pleasantries, swapping names as Johnny’s mom immediately starts cooing over her new daughter and how cute her name is.
“Oh, aren’t you just a darling,” she coos. “You’ve put up with him this whole time?”
Bee laughs, the sound nervous but sweet. “It hasn’t been too bad.”
Johnny’s dad chuckles low, reaching out to shake her hand once she’s released from the embrace. “No need to lie, we know he’s a handful.”
Johnny beams as his parents coo over Bee, their delight plain as day. His mom glances past him, eyes brightening as they land on the tall shadow pulling out suitcases from the trunk.
“Simon!” she calls, her voice carrying that familiar warmth. “Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes. It’s been far too long.”
Simon straightens from where he’s hefting a bag, a rare flicker of softness passing over his features. “Aye, good to see you both,” he replies, tone even but respectful.
He sets the luggage down with care before stepping closer, offering John’s mum a small nod and a hand to his dad, who clasps it firmly.
“Glad you made it safe,” Johnny’s father says warmly. “House is always open to you, lad.”
“Appreciate it,” Simon rumbles, then shifts slightly, placing a steady hand at the small of my back to guide me forward. His gaze drops to me briefly, a hint protective, before he turns back to Johnny’s parents.
“This here’s Boo.”
I offer a small smile, nerves flaring under the sudden attention.
“Oh, love,” Johnny’s mom says warmly, stepping in to take my hands like I’m already family. “Welcome. Any friend of Simon’s...” her gaze flicks fondly back to him, “...is welcome here.”
I dip my head politely. “Thank you. It’s very lovely to meet you both.” When Johnny’s mom pulls away, I reach out to his dad, making sure to give him a firm handshake.
“You have a beautiful home,” I add with a nervous little laugh, hoping to cover the flutter in my chest.
Simon’s hand lingers at my back, quiet and grounding.
“Well, aren’t you just so polite?” Johnny’s mom coos, clearly charmed. “Such lovely girls you’ve brought home with you both,” she says, glancing between Johnny and Simon with a proud, approving smile.
Before anyone can say more, the front door bursts open again and a pair of little voices shriek across the gravel.
“Uncle John!”
Four kids of various ages tear down the steps, running straight for Soap. He drops to his knees without hesitation, arms opening wide as they collide with him. He laughs while scooping up two of them in his arms.
“Ach, look at ye! Twice the size since last I saw ye!” he crows, spinning them around while they squeal.
“Careful, John,” his mom scolds half-heartedly, though her smile gives her away. She claps her hands, motioning toward the house. “Come now, everyone, let's get you inside before you all freeze out here. The kettle’s on, food’s ready, and the rest are waitin’ for ye.”
Johnny sets the kids back on their feet, giving their hair a ruffle before herding them toward the porch. Bee slips her hand into his, the nerves from earlier softening as the children chatter at her with wide-eyed curiosity.
Simon, ever steady, picks up the dropped bags without a word. His hand brushes mine again, guiding me forward while Johnny’s mom ushers us all through the doorway.
The warmth of the house hits immediately, a wave of heat and the smell of something rich and savory wafting in from the kitchen. Laughter spills from the living room, where the rest of Johnny’s family waits for us.
Bee’s eyes dart around, greedily soaking in the house around us. There are boots lined neatly against the wall and hooks crowded with coats of every size. Photos are scattered all over the walls and on every available surface.
Christmas decorations weave their way around the house, drenching everything in a cozy glow. Garland wraps around the bannister, stockings hang over the fireplace, and a tree stands proudly in the corner of the living room, overloaded with ornaments and tinsel.
Around it, three women and two men are gathered, smiling warmly as we make ourselves known. The kids weave around our legs as we walk in, grabbing at Johnny and oogling at the rest of us.
“Mom! Mom! Uncle John’s here!” one of the younger ones shouts.
“I can see that,” the oldest of the three women says. She’s tall, with a sharp gaze that’s only softened by the gentle tone she uses on her children.
We all exchange quick hellos before the eldest steps forward, her presence calm but commanding as she reaches a hand out to Bee.
“I’m Maggie. It’s nice to finally meet the girl my little brother won’t stop gushing about.”
Bee laughs nervously as she takes the offered hand, but Maggie doesn’t let go for long, quick to pull Bee into a hug.
Behind them, Johnny sputters in protest, tossing out a Scottish phrase too quick and thick for me to catch. Whatever it was, Maggie just waved him off with a smirk, clearly used to riling him up.
Her gaze shifts, settling first on Simon. “Good to see you again, Riley,” she says warmly. There’s a flicker in her expression, almost like a sort of acknowledgement, some sort of unspoken history, but it doesn’t linger. Instead, her attention turns to me,
“And who’s this you’ve brought with you?”
“This is Boo,” Simon answers simply, glancing down at me with the faintest hint of pride in his tone.
I lift a hand in a small wave, but Maggie surprises me by wrapping me up in a hug too. Her scent cuts through the warmth of the house, and it clicks.
Alpha.
Not a bad thing, but a bit shocking nonetheless. A flicker of jealousy twists in my stomach. If I’d presented like her… how different… how much easier would my life have been?
“Boo?” The sudden chirp pulls me back. Two older kids hover near Maggie’s side, their faces scrunched in curiosity.
“Boo’s not a name.”
“Who names their kid Boo?”
“Excuse me, miss, why’s your name Boo?”
“Do you wear a mask because your alpha wears a mask?”
Before I can even fumble out an answer, the man who was standing next to Maggie steps in.
“Hey. None of that.” His tone is calm, but firm enough that the kids immediately back down, muttering quiet apologies.
“That’s my mate, Archie,” Maggie introduces with a fond glance.
I blink, surprised at how easily he wrangled them. Most kids that age never listen the first time. My eyes dart to Simon, who gives me one slow blink and the faintest nod, like he knows what I’m thinking.
I offer Archie a polite wave, and he nods back, a quiet smile tugging at his mouth.
One of the other women seizes the chance to step in, her neat clothes and no-nonsense air softened by kind eyes. Beta, I realize when I catch how muted her scent is. “I’m Clare,” she introduces, offering her hand first to Bee, then to me. “Middle of the sisters. Good to see you again, Simon.”
He inclines his head in acknowledgement, his rumble quiet. “Clare.”
Then the smallest of the three steps forward, bright and cheerful with her husband close at her side. “I’m Isla,” she says, beaming. “This is my husband, Fraser.”
Fraser greets each of us in turn, his handshake firm and polite, like a very traditional alpha handshake is. Isla follows with a softer touch, her scent also muted like her sister’s.
Johnny’s grin spreads wide when it’s his turn to return the handshake. “Good to finally meet you, mate. Sorry I missed the wedding, got called away last minute.”
Fraser chuckles. “No worries. Plenty of time to make up for it now.”
Through it all, Simon stays steady behind me. It centers me more than expected, keeping the edges of my nerves from fraying out.
I let myself sink a bit more into the moment. The kids are babbling, the adults exchange small talk. It feels a bit chaotic, but warm all at the same time. It reminds me a lot of the first few holidays back at the farm.
Johnny’s mom scuttles out of the kitchen with a big smile on her face. With a quick couple of claps, she has everyone’s attention.
“Alright, everyone. Food's out and on the table. Let’s get to it before it gets cold!”
There’s a flurry of motion as the kids bolt into the dining room and the adults slowly follow.
Simon dips his head to me, lifting up our bags. “Go take a seat, I’m going to just put these in our room really quick.”
I give him a small nod in response, following Johnny and Bee into the dining room.
I take a seat towards the end of the table, making sure to leave a spot for Simon to my right. Steam rises from bowls and plates that line the center of the table.
I watch as Bee starts chatting it up with Johnny’s sisters, easily settling in as if she’s always been here. Serving plates start moving around the table, clattering softly as light bickering picks up between Johnny and his family.
Johnny’s dad, seated at the head of the table near me, catches me watching. His eyes crinkle at the edges, voice pitched low enough not to carry.
“Lot o’ noise for a quiet dinner, eh? Don’t worry, you’ll find your rhythm soon enough.”
I smile at the gentleness in his tone. “I was just thinkin’ about how familiar it all felt,” I admit softly. “It’s nice… having this back again, even if it’s not mine.”
His mouth curves wryly. “It’s yours,” he assures me. “You’re part of this family now, whether you like it or not.” The wink he gives reminds me so sharply of Dave that it stirs a flurry of emotion I try not to dwell on.
Johnny’s mom glances from across the table as she finally takes her seat. Her eyes narrow at John’s dad. “You’re not botherin’ the lass, are ye?” she asks, her tone a mix of concern and authority.
I shake my head quickly, but John’s dad beats me to a response. “Course not,” he says easily, lips twitching. “Just makin’ sure the yank here doesn’t try to pocket an extra roll.”
I can’t help but bark out a surprised laugh. Simon slips back into the room, easily sliding into the chair next to me. A low rumble of amusement comes from him.
“She’s harmless,” he says, voice dry. “Only thing she’s nicked since I’ve known her is my hoodie. Oh, and I guess a couple of smokes.”
I shoot him a sharp look that only makes his eyes crease in the corners as my face lightly turns red.
Johnny’s dad chuckles, clearly entertained, and that seems to open the floodgates for others at the table to start asking me questions.
“So, Boo,” Isla leans forward from down the table, resting her chin in her hand. “How are you finding the UK? Weather scare you off yet?”
Clare snorts softly. “Never mind the weather, have they even shown you the good bits? Or have you been stuck on that stuffy base this whole time?”
The attention makes my cheeks heat even more, but I manage a laugh. “It’s definitely been… a bit of an adjustment.”
“She sounds like a cowboy,” one of the kids blurts out, earning a ripple of amusement from the adults.
“She is a cowboy,” Bee grins, quick to back me up.
The kid frowns, confused. “But she doesn’t have a hat.”
“I left it at base,” I explain with a smile. “Didn’t think a cowboy wandering around Scotland would exactly blend in.”
More like I don’t want to stand out right now with people potentially watching us.
The giggle that I earn from the little one makes something warm unfurl in my chest, though it’s quickly chased by guilt as I think about little Henry. I promise myself to call Mo soon, when it’s just Simon and me, when I can give her my whole focus instead of just trying to fit her into the day.
Before the thought can pull me under, Johnny’s dad chimes back in with a dry laugh. “Don’t let them fool you, lass. The ‘good bits’ of the UK are usually the pubs, and even those only look good after you’ve had a few too many.”
“That’s true,” Maggie cuts in, rolling her eyes. “We’ve got castles and museums, sure, but half of them are crumblin’ or cost too much to get into.”
“And the food,” Isla adds with a groan, stabbing at the roast on her plate. “God help you if you wandered in here expectin’ flavor.”
That earns a round of laughter, Johnny tossing in a dramatic gasp. “Oi, you cannae insult Mum’s cookin’ like that.”
The whole exchange has me smiling despite myself, my nerves loosening in the chaos. The laughter fades into the usual clatter of forks and chatter, everyone settling into the rhythm of the meal. For a few minutes, the conversation bounces between the kids, Bee, and all of the new happenings for each little family.
Then Clare glances down the table, her expression curious but gentle. “So, Simon. What do you have planned for the rest of the week?”
He glances over at her, seeming to take a second to think before responding.
“Visitin’ Mum in Denton, then thought I’d show Boo ‘round the old stompin’ grounds,” he says simply.
The air shifts subtly. I catch Johnny looking over, catching Simon’s eyes before moving back to his plate. There’s a polite quietness that seems to settle over the table, and it makes something twist uneasily in my gut.
Did I miss something?
Johnny’s mom breaks the spell, her tone bright and reassuring. “You make sure to take her a bundle of poppies, love. She loves those.”
Simon’s gaze lifts to her, and it has that practiced steadiness I’ve come to recognize with him. “Already planned on poinsettias,” he says softly. “She prefers those ‘round Christmas time.”
I glance around the table as polite smiles get thrown his way.
Okay, I definitely missed something here.
“Well,” Johnny’s mom smiles. “I’m sure she’ll just be happy to see you.”
That seems to smooth over whatever weird energy gathered at the table. We all continue eating, exchanging quick and pleasant conversation.
Going through some old saved things, trying to clear out my word doc. I had an idea for a chapter that had little tidbits of the girl's life in ITSOS. Maybe there'd be a hidden camera or a group chat thread that these were all in, but they'd be various moments in the omega's life. Ultimately, idea didn't make the cut and I either expanded on the individual moments or got rid of them.
One of the throwaways was a video of Boo that she'd send to Ghost directly. Thought it'd be fun to share.
Video of Boo at the Masked Gym
Boo videoing herself doing hip thrust reps to show to Ghost she's keeping up with their routine. Two other masked gym members come into frame and start flexing in the video, making Boo laugh and shake her head.
“Ridiculous,” she huffs.
“Hey,” Rosco, says, coming into frame, looking like he’s shooing off the other two guys. He then turns to the camera. “Don’t forget about me,” he says before also flexing for the camera.
Boo playfully groans before turning to the phone to turn it off.
Anywhoodles, thought someone might like this. Let me know if you'd like to see more of these. 💜
#throwawaythursday with @sadie.atl showing allll the attitudes possible in about 10 seconds. Which one is your fave? (at The Burlesque Room) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGqc9S0pQJr/?igshid=132p3ddseqa1e
You have to admit! There is something strange about people who take pictures in the same poses from the same angles using the same backgrounds EVERY DAMN DAY LOLOL At least you changed clothes this time #LOL #pettythursday #throwbackthursday #throwawaythursday #juststopit #😂 #🤣 #sameposeeveryday #smh #butwhy #ohwell https://www.instagram.com/p/B78yAJ3hLM_/?igshid=4mbetbl06lj2
