Knot Without You: An Omegaverse Romance

Chapter 14

Chapter

Fourteen

Ispend time waiting for King by working through a stockpile of chocolate bars and lingering guilt by talking with Raney and watching videos of Maverick fighting.

And as always we get side tracked a hundred or so different times before our conversation turns serious as we try to figure out what has Heidi not being herself. I mean the girl probably has as many secrets as I do but something is stealing her sunshine and that worries both Raney and me. Of course, because we’re actually very like-minded it doesn’t take us long to come to the same conclusion, we need dinner and drinks at Roda’s with the four of us.

With a plan in place our chat invariably starts heading towards Raney gushing over Koz, but I interrupt her before she starts.

“Can we start talking about me yet?” I moan. No shit, she drives me nuts always talking about Koz but at the same time given half the chance I’d do the same. Plus, I’m so effing happy she’s out and proud with her Alpha.

“Fine,” she replies back just as dramatically, “who are you meeting up with?”

“Your dad,” I deadpan, making her snort out a laugh.

I have to school myself not to react. Of course, Raney being Raney insults me without even realising. “Next you’ll tell me you met your scent-matched Alpha on the shoot today.”

I snarl, sarcasm dripping off each syllable. “Or not.”

That sobers her up, “Did you?”

“You know what, sometimes I really wonder why I bother calling you. Simona is my favourite bestie; she actually listens.”

“Come on, Tris, I’m pretty sure if you met a compatible Alpha the whole world would know by now. It’s not like you can keep a secret!” She dissolves in another fit of hysterics. I have to hold the phone away from my ear when she doesn’t stop, no shit, Raney clearly thinks she’s a comedian.

I start talking over the top of her. “You have no idea how offensive what you said is. And since you’re being such a bitch, I’m going. Talk to you when I get home, or maybe not.”

I hang up on her, which is nothing new and doesn’t mean much. Having three female besties is a juggling act and trying to deal with big personalities is a game we’re all exceptionally good at.

My phone rings as I’m climbing out the car with my vision set on the loo in the middle of the park. Waving over to Big Tom and Tonka letting them know where I’m headed, I answer Heidi’s call almost immediately.

“When will you be back?” she asks, not bothering to say hello. And by the way she’s talking—all wooden and hollow—I know she’s at her office which means she’s being watched by her guards. She hates them with a passion, which in true Scorned-girls solidarity means we do too.

I answer quickly. “Not sure. I’m waiting on a hot date. Want to meet up at Roda’s after?”

“Sure. Who have you got a date with?”

“My secret lover,” I smile, pushing open the cubicle door and flipping our call to hands free.

“You have one too?” Heidi jokes, ignoring the fact I’m peeing and talking. But she multi-tasks as much as any of us does.

“Actually, I’m thinking of adding a bad boy to my schedule. Tattoos, dangerous eyes, killer body.”

“I hope he’s good looking.”

“Now I’ve had King, I’m not going backwards,” I smart back.

“Does he have a name?” she asks as she types away. No shit my besties are unbelievable at ignoring my less than subtle hints.

“Well, then he wouldn’t be a secret would he?”

“I guess not. Any sign of that photographer today or what’s your agent’s name again listening to you all of a sudden?”

“Teddy? He’s okay but he did tell me that someone is targeting Nolan. The rush job I got was for Mondo Boots. I grabbed you a pair,” I say looking down at my feet, the white boots will suit Heidi more than me. The heel is way too blocky for my taste.

Not that she needs charity, but she does need help with her style. It’s a little stick-up your butt for my taste but that’s because of the Board at Verdune always trying to control her.

Heidi stops talking, reading, or listening to something on her end of the phone and I finish doing my business and manage to wash my hands before she comes back to me. “Hey, we’re going to have to eat in, I’ll pick it up on my way home. I’m going to be late though these assholes apparently need a report from me and then one I sent last week isn’t quite what they were after.”

“No worries. I’m going to be hours anyway. We can always have two minute noodles or something if you get caught up,” I offer but she’s already gone.

Sending off a quick text to Raney letting her know I spoke with Heidi I’ve got my phone in my sights but walking outside it’s like walking into a different place. In the space of a few minutes, a ‘heaviness’ has descended on the day; a clawing malevolent energy has me instantly on alert. A couple of steps out of the toilet block, and the unmistakable rumble of bikes fills the air.

A look towards where I parked, Big Tom is already on his way over.

“Get in the car, Tristan,” he says, his eyes don’t land on me as they move over the park we’re in.

“That’s too many bikes for King, isn’t it?”

“It’s the Death Riders. I’ve called King and told him to not come here. Thought you and me could act like we’re finishing up our picnic.”

Without being asked twice, I paste on the best smile I can on my face and lunge for his hand. It feels weird being so close to Big Tom but I think it would look weirder if we were not being touchy-feely. We barely take ten steps and get to see at least thirty bikes swarm into the gas station. The way they weave through the area feels like they’re on the hunt.

The noise their bikes make is as aggressive as how they’re riding. Some of them get off their bikes and go searching the inside of the station, it’s intimidating and scary to watch.

Big Tom pulls me closer to him, his arm drops over my shoulder when a couple of bikes ride over the park from the sides surrounding us. But it’s not just us they surround, they are definitely hunting, leaving no stone unturned. I’m thankful I didn’t put on one of King’s stolen long sleeve tops and I’m beyond thankful that King decided to use an actual security company to provide me with Big Tom and Tonka as protection, and not just a couple of Fallen prospects.

A bike rolls up next to us, and we slow down like any couple would. Letting the guy on the bike steer the interaction which is what he was after. You easily get a feeling that making a scene would be worse.

Behind me the wind blows, bringing another bike next to the first, but since this new person came from behind us, I didn’t see him arrive. Twisting around though there’s no mistaking Maverick’s hazel-green eyes locked on me. He stares at me for what feels like forever, his gaze jumping between my face and Big Tom’s arms.

“Get the fuck out of here,” he says, his words packing a punch exactly like he wanted.

My eyes glaze over to the person in the Death Riders’ cut he stands next to. The sting of his betrayal is instant.

I completely understand the whole not telling the truth thing. I really, really do but at the same time Maverick implored me that I believe him, and I did which makes his deceit cut deep.

I turn to look up at Big Tom and before I can think twice about it the disappointment spills from my lips loud enough for Mav and his buddy to hear, “I swear this day has been nothing but a waste of my time and energy.”

Climbing in the driver’s seat, Big Tom moves to the passenger side next to me. I back out of the car space. Being a petty bitch, I reverse way too far backwards so my bumper would nearly be kissing Maverick’s bike.

“Tristan,” Big Tom warns under his breath, but I’m stuck holding Maverick’s gaze in my mirror as my mood keeps souring.

Yeah, maybe I don’t have the right to be acting so precious given my own predicament but in my mind I’m sure I do.

“Yeah, yeah. Let me be petty.” I smile overly fake at him while putting the car in gear and driving off a lot less flashy than I’d like.

Of course, it’s tense as we drive, the miles we put behind us doesn’t do anything to disperse the mood either and it gets to the point I think I’m going to suffocate in his anxiety. Big Tom keeps talking on his phone and checking around us and I get it’s to keep me safe but after ten miles I put my indicator on and pull off to the side of the road.

“You can’t be serious,” he growls when I twist to look at him.

“I am. We’re breaking up, Big Tom. I knew Tonka would come between us, and he’s always going to,” I say, patting his knee before I point at the door.

“King won’t be happy,” he grumbles as he climbs out of the car.

“I suspect you getting out of my car will make King a lot less crabby actually.” And there’s not much he can say to that, because it is probably very true. “Thank you for getting me out of there. And let’s not talk about the holding hands thing, it’s awkward enough.”

“You want to talk about the Maverick thing then?”

“God no.” I laugh, waving him to shut the door a bit faster than he is currently. I know he’s just concerned but honestly, I’m exhausted after the rollercoaster day I’ve had.

Driving off, my phone pings once and I open it to read at the first set of lights. Reading the most recent threat about actually selling me to the Death Riders is the ending of a shitty day I didn’t need. Putting my phone back down, it stays quiet the rest of the way back to Unity. It would be good to hear from King, but he’s probably neck deep in MC drama. A part of me thinks it would be good to hear from Maverick too, because that’s going to be an interesting conversation. Not.

Driving down the entry to Unity it’s quiet and most of the lights are off in the main buildings which makes sense given we’re not far off from curfew. The guards wave me past without wanting to chat knowing how pissy the Omega Mothers get when students are not locked in their rooms for the night. I’m not overly worried, but at the same time I decide not to push the special consideration I’ve already got from the faculty, instead I only grab out my smaller rolling case and try to pile everything on top of it. Packing light is not something that fills me with joy. I don’t know if I’m super tired but as the doors start to close, I swear I hear the unmistakable noise of a bike accelerating past slowly.

A text comes through and I stop the lift hoping it’s King telling me to sneak outside but instead it’s a reminder from my parents about the opening of a new wing at the community hospital I need to be at tomorrow.

Our apartment is dark, all my besties tucked up early for the night, except for Heidi who’s still at her office pumping out the report. After a quick snuggle from Raney and Simona I take the world’s longest shower. Not that it’s relaxing, the whole time I’m waiting for a text or call, but my phone stays quiet.