Chapter 32
THIRTY-TWO
Playing: Halley’s Comet by Billie Eilish
The interior of the restaurant Everett has swept me off to is gorgeous. The dimmed lighting, scented candles, and long burgundy tablecloths makes for a very relaxing atmosphere. I’d almost feel out of place if the alpha beside me didn’t reassure me that this place isn’t as formal as it looks.
That and Everett gave me a proper dress code. When he texted me to tell me to wear a dress and heels, I was ecstatic. There’s nothing more stressful than having to guess at what to wear on a date.
All week, I was antsy about going on another date with my potential pack.
But when Everett called to ask me out just us two, things started feeling serious.
There would be no buffers between us, no humorous silliness from Dax or any of Jett’s sarcastic comments.
Just me finally getting to know the reserved alpha that I’ve been thinking about since last May .
My omega is frenzied with excitement at the idea of having all of his attention.
“I’ll have the twelve ounce ribeye. With asparagus, please,” he tells the waiter, which earns him a discreet look of judgment at the hefty steak he just ordered.
“He’s a hockey player,” I tell them, my tone not unkind but definitely with a warning. He has the decency to look sheepish as I order the fish tacos and mango salsa. When he walks away, I turn my attention back to Everett, who is trying to hide a smirk behind his glass of water as he takes a sip.
“What? I’m so tired of people being unprofessional. You’re obviously a muscle-y guy, I doubt that’s the first twelve ounce steak that’s been ordered here before.”
He huffs out a laugh but then gives me an earnest look. “I just like how you stick up for the people you care about.”
I try to scoff but it gets lost in my throat. I decide to change the subject quickly. “So, did you always want to go to Bensen? I’m sure every guy who grows up around here picks it as their top school.
He shakes his head. “I’m actually from Maryland. Bensen has one of the best hockey programs, so it was my top choice.”
“Oh. I feel like I should have known that,” I say, my brows scrunching in. “I guess it makes sense we don’t know each other very well. We haven’t spent a lot of time alone, have we?”
Everett’s face shines with a genuine smile. “No, not really. But to be honest, our”—he pauses to think of the word—“ entanglement didn’t happen very platonically, so I don’t hold that against us.”
A snort nearly escapes me. “Well, tell me about yourself then. I want to know you, know things about you. So… tell me things.”
I physically cringe from the lame way I said that but Everett doesn’t miss a beat. “What kind of things? ”
“Like, how did you get into hockey?”
His deep laugh rumbles through me, lighting me up.
“I stumbled across a frozen lake one day. A bunch of older kids were playing ice hockey, and I was so concerned that I stayed to make sure they wouldn’t get hurt or fall through the ice.
” He shrugs. “I ended up joining them. One of them let me borrow their skates for a test trial. I was okay at the start, but that didn’t stop me from coming home with a few bruises. ”
“I bet your parents loved that,” I retort.
Everett smiles but it doesn’t meet his eyes. “It’s just my mom, actually. My father passed away when I was really little.”
Everything seems to halt after he says it. My heart starts to beat wildly in my chest. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be. I don’t have a lot of memories with him, and my mom is a big enough personality for two parents.
” He pauses, like he isn’t sure if he should keep talking about it.
My hand finds his arm, silently beckoning him to continue.
He looks at where I’m caressing my thumb over his skin, his eyes fluttering closed.
A few seconds go by, but then he’s back to holding my gaze.
“My mom’s a beta and he was an alpha. She couldn’t smell him but they would discuss their scents with each other.
After he died, there was always a sandalwood candle burning in our house.
It helped her, I think. And now, it’s what I think of most when I think of my childhood, or my dad. It’s nostalgic for me.”
I feel myself choke up a bit at his words, but I blink away the tears that are threatening to fall. I think about a young Everett, watching his mom grieve in the best way she could, all while he has no memories of his dad to cherish.
I wouldn’t give up my memories with my dad for anything. But then again, if there are no memories to begin with, there’s nothing precious to lose. The types of anguish are different, but no less valid.
“Are you okay, Rory?” he asks me, and I nod despite the single tear that’s just fallen.
I wipe at my forehead and try to play it off, fanning myself a bit too theatrically. “Fuck, it’s hot in here, isn’t it?”
Everett looks up at the ceiling fan going full blast above us and then looks at me with a smirk. “No, I actually want to get them to turn this shit off.”
My lips flatten and another tear falls. “I’m sorry. This is so embarrassing. I’m not used to getting so emotional so fast.”
Everett places his large hand on my shoulder and rubs along the blade, attempting to sooth me. “There’s no right way to be. Besides, I’m pretty sure this ‘getting to know each other’ stuff is supposed to be like this. Vulnerability doesn’t come without discomfort.”
I nod, letting the words sink in. “I was just thinking about my own dad. He died when I was seventeen and it was probably the worst time of my life.”
Everett’s eyes widen slightly, but there’s still an everlasting calm in his features. “Shit, Rory. I had no idea. That wasn’t very long ago.”
I answer with a slight nod. “No, it wasn’t. I’m okay, mainly, but the time around his death every year is still hard.”
His hand stays on my shoulder, a steady presence in a feral storm. “I wish I could say it gets easier, but my mom is like that around the anniversary of my dad’s death as well. Her usually bubbly nature is so dulled. It’s like her grief comes to visit her.”
His words speak to me and feel like an affirmation. It’s true. It’s like grief is both a nuisance and a friend, and their presence every year reminds me of what I’m missing. The good and the bad.
“I’m so glad you have your mom,” I tell him. “I wish I had a softer mother, one that actually gave a shit about things other than money and control. ”
Everett starts to growl but then swallows the sound. “She’s the worst kind of alpha, Rory. I’m sorry you had to deal with that throughout your life.”
“Yeah,” I reply. “That’s why—before you and Dax—I never looked at any alphas. I didn’t want to meet an alpha and bond with them just to discover that they’re just like my mom. My dad… I don’t think he knew what he was getting into with my mom until it was too late.”
“It’s a reasonable fear,” he says. “If I had grown up the way you did, I would probably be the exact same. The fact that you’re going after what you want, what your omega wants, despite that fear…” He pauses. “It’s brave , Rory.”
My lips flatten into a line. “I don’t feel very brave.”
“You should, though.” He interlaces our fingers under the table, giving me some much-needed support. “Was your dad an omega?”
“No, he was a beta,” I respond. “He smelled like the best kind of fizzy syrup.” A tiny bit of embarrassment seeps out of me at the confession.
“I always drink a Cherry Coke before my auditions because it makes me feel like he’s here.
Supporting me. Telling me it’s okay if it goes badly or if I don’t get the part. ”
Everett smiles at that, his thumb still making circles on my bare skin. “Scents do more than just tell us our emotions. It’s something to hold onto. I’m glad you were able to find something that strengthens that link between you and your dad.”
“Yeah,” I agree, stifling a small smile. “It’s weird that Dax ended up smelling like cherries, huh?”
“Almost as weird as Dax and I being in a pack with your scent match,” he answers, giving me a wink.
Our waiter comes back a moment later with our entrees in hand. I’m so hungry, I just dig in as the most comfortable silence I’ve ever experienced falls over us.
At some point, while I’m mid-bite, Everett’s hand lands on my leg underneath the table.
We’re so close together that I don’t think anyone can see.
Not that there is anything to see, but his hand there conjures images in the forefront of my mind.
Images that have no business forming while we’re in this nice establishment.
His fingers are so long…
I swallow harshly at the skin-to-skin contact, taking a sip of my water to quench a different thirst. He notices the reaction (because of course he does) and squeezes my thigh with intention.
“Is everything okay?” he asks, feigning innocence.
I glare at him over my cup but don’t respond. His hand falls a little bit higher, moving the slightest amount underneath my dress.
“You like it, don’t you?” he whispers, his voice a lulling husk that travels right through my body. “My hand roaming over you in secret… the idea that anyone could look over or catch your scent and know that you’re getting just what you want from your alpha.”
I bite my lip and grit my teeth to keep from groaning. His fingers move closer, skimming the edge of my thong and letting a sliver of cranberry roam free. Everett lets out a satisfied growl as he attempts to look calm and collected next to me.
The fan above us doesn’t help keep our situation discreet, either. I think I hear someone nearby ask the waiter if they sold cranberries here and if something is burning, which makes me snort. The only thing on fire right now is my pussy and I desperately need my date to extinguish it.