Chapter 32
FLETCHER
My mind was abuzz with worries, anxiety causing a hitch in my chest as Adam got ready to go on his date with his newly-betrothed.
According to Adam, Aria Winters was not only wealthy and beautiful, but practically royalty as well, the daughter of a gentle-natured pack Alpha who wished to join his pack and Adam’s by way of marriage.
Bitterness swelled inside of me, knowing that she had everything I could ever want, and I had nothing. Even if Adam assured me, over and over again, that he didn’t want anything to do with this arranged marriage, that it was all his father’s doing.
While Adam showered, I paced the floors of the kitchen, mired in thoughts coming from dark places. Maybe I should just pack my things and leave. That way, Adam wouldn’t have to be conflicted anymore…but god, I was in so deep.
The thought made my soul split open down the center, eclipsed the light in my life by a swarm of black grief.
I loved Adam Sinclair with every fiber of my being.
This hurt so badly. The idea of him marrying another Omega—having babies with another Omega—made me physically sick, but I meant what I’d said before.
I would be Adam’s side-piece, his secret, if it meant I still got to see him. If it meant I still got to love him. Did that make me pathetic?
My thoughts were so tangled up that I didn’t hear Adam approach until his shadow fell over me. I glanced up when he cleared his throat, and my mouth went dry.
He was so damn gorgeous, dressed to the nines in a gray pin-striped suit and blazer, a white silk button up, and a soft blue tie. His brown hair was smoothed away from his face, making him look every bit the gentleman I knew he was, but his frown told me everything I needed to know.
He was as happy with this arrangement as I was.
And yet… I couldn’t help but feel that tugging of jealousy, or the taste of bitterness that coated my tongue as I walked over to him and straightened out his jacket. I rolled my lips together, but didn’t say a word. What was there to say? Good luck?
“Fletcher…” Adam uttered, but I shook my head.
“Go,” I told him. “You might as well make a good impression on your future wife.”
I hated the way his face pinched at my words, but it was too late to take them back. He reached for me, but I pulled away, feeling guilty and selfish at the same time. Didn’t he see that I was hurting too?
With a deep sigh, Adam left.
The door closed behind him with finality, and the tears began to fall. Hot and fast, they streamed down my cheeks. I hiccuped a soft, silent sob, wiping at my face, but they just kept coming.
This wasn’t fair! None of this was fair! Hadn’t I been through enough in my damn life? Couldn’t I have one good thing? Just one?
Knowing I’d dissolve into a puddle if I stood there any longer, I put myself to work tidying up the place. It was a bachelor’s pad, after all, and while we weren’t exceptionally messy, the manor could use a good clean-up.
I found myself erasing all evidence of myself, in case Adam brought Aria home with him. I cleaned our—Adam’s—bedroom, making the bed with fresh sheets and taking anything that belonged to me out of the room.
The tears kept coming.
When the place was spotless and nothing but the faint hint of my scent remained beneath the “Misty Breeze” scented air freshener, I retreated to my bedroom—the one I’d been given the very first day—and I collided with the bed.
Wrapping myself around the pillows, I buried my face in them and I sobbed brokenly. Life was so unfair…but then again, when had my life ever been fair? I was fooling myself to think this thing with Adam would be permanent. I knew the rules, and still I fell.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Desperately needing a break from my rioting thoughts, I tucked the earbuds Adam had given me into my ears and curled up on my side, staring out the window while Adam’s playlist—the one he’d specifically curated for me—played on.
“I’ll love you to the moon and back if you’ll be, if you’ll be my baby…”