7. Oliver
Oliver
H unched over the bathroom sink, I do my best to make myself look somewhat presentable for my date tonight. The tiny, cracked mirror isn’t helping much, but it catches just enough of my reflection to remind me that I look ridiculous.
Gray took me shopping earlier, and while I can admit the clothes looked nice, they just weren’t me.
I wore a navy blue button-down shirt with a gray suit jacket and tie.
At least I got away with wearing my own black jeans and black Converse sneakers.
Valerie will hate it, but she never specified what to wear from the waist down.
I’ll take the little wins.
I grab my wallet and house keys before sneaking down the stairs.
My dad is sprawled out in front of the TV, beer in hand, watching a football game.
Luckily, he doesn’t notice me as I inch my way toward the front door, closing it softly behind me.
He’s been in a sour mood all day - nothing new - and I know he would start trouble with me if he got the chance.
Hale was parked a couple of streets down, and I broke into a slow jog when his truck came into view. He squeezed my shoulder in greeting before pulling away from the curb.
“You look very handsome,” He looks at me briefly, before focusing on the road again.
“I fucking hate it,” I groan out. “Not just the outfit, the entire thing. I feel like I’m cheating on Savvy. ”
Hale is quiet for a moment, mulling over his response.
“I understand why you would feel that way, especially if she is your scent match. My mom and dad were happily paired and very open about their feelings before I lost them. She met them in college while she was still in the ‘discovering herself’ phase – her words, not mine – and she didn’t want to settle down just yet.
That lasted about three weeks before the physical pain of being separated from them became too overwhelming for her.
Just the thought of being with anyone else made her ill.
The idea of them being with someone else made her furious.
She bonded with them two weeks later.” He smiles, recalling the memory, and my heart aches for him, not having them anymore.
“I feel like a part of myself is missing Hale, but I haven’t felt that much physical pain, just emotional. Does that mean I could have been wrong, and she isn’t mine?”
“I think there could be a couple of reasons,” he says slowly, considering his next words.
“You’re both seventeen, so the connection might not be as strong yet.
Most omegas are only present at eighteen, even if they show signs beforehand.
Just think of the chaos if an alpha and omega found each other before they were legally able to bond.
Good luck to the parents who have to keep them apart. ”
I chuckle at that, and he shoots me a quick grin before looking at the road again. “And the other reason?” I can’t help but ask.
“My dads hated being apart from her, but they admitted it was easier for them. She was by herself, but they had each other. They formed a pack long before they met Mom and shared a close relationship. Not romantic, just best friends. Their bond as pack mates prevented them from going full feral, which happens to many alphas separated from their mates. Alone, they would have fallen apart. But as a pack? They survived. So, when my mom was finally ready to accept them, they were the alphas she needed them to be.”
I rest my hand on his knee, letting him know he is not alone as he talks about the people he loves the most.
“I want what they had,” he continues, the emotion evident in his voice.
“Jack, Grayson, and now you- you’re my pack, my family.
I would do anything to ensure you’re taken care of, and I would kill to secure your happiness.
Savvy being your match means she is likely mine.
I knew you were pack the moment I met you, and we tend to share an omega.
” I let out a small growl at the thought of sharing her, but he laughed it off.
“If she turns out not to be mine, I still want her to join the pack, Oliver. She makes you happy, and that’s all that ever matters to me. ”
“You deserve happiness too Hale.”
“I would love an omega to cherish and love, but if it’s not in the cards for me, I’m okay with it. As long as I have the three of you, I have all the happiness I need.”
We sit in silence for the rest of the journey, each lost in our own thoughts.
Hearing how close Hale’s family was made me realize how badly I’ve always wanted that.
I’ve just never been able to admit it to myself, scared that it would never happen.
My first instinct when Hale mentioned possibly sharing Savvy, was to stake my claim on her.
Now, I can’t help but hope that, when we do find her, she is a match for the rest of my pack.
We come to a stop just outside the restaurant, and I almost ask Hale to turn around when I see Valerie standing there, looking pissed off. What else is new?
“It’s just for a couple of hours, Oliver,” Hale turns to face me in the cramped space. “You just need to keep her here until we have Jane packed up and somewhere safe. I’ll message you as soon as it’s done.”
I nod, even though I’m freaking out about the whole thing. “Are you sure she’s been watching the diner?”
The two guys I hired to keep an eye on Jane confirmed that she has been around several times a day. She has also been near Jane’s home. That girl needs help.
“I couldn’t agree more,” I murmur, keeping an eye on Valerie, who hasn’t noticed us yet.
“Getting Jane out of town and the case we opened against your father should be enough, Oliver. We have the label’s lawyers working with the police in Asheville, and I doubt the jerks from your dad's station can touch this. When tonight is over, you’re moving in with us.
Forget school; you can finish it online. ”
“I’m cool with that, I fucking hate school.” I chuckle, but it quickly turns into a groan when I see Valerie coming our way. I guess she recognized Hale’s truck from before.
“I’ll see you later,” he says as I jump out of the truck, ready to get the night over with.
Valerie doesn’t greet me; instead, she goes over to the driver's side and waits for Hale to get out. When he pulls away without even looking at her, I can’t help feeling a twinge of satisfaction at the look on her face.
Yeah, she’s gonna give me shit for it, but worth it, honestly.
“What the fuck Oliver,” She yells at me, but quickly lowers her voice and comes closer when she sees people looking at her. “Where is he going and where the fuck are the other two? We have a table booked for eight pm.”
“Band practice,” I smirk down at her. “Where the other two are waiting for him. Where I should be right now, but instead I’m wasting my evening with a blackmailing bitch.”
She lets out a gasp, clutching at her, honest to god, pearl necklace. “You can’t say that to me.”
“Can’t handle the truth?”
“This was not the deal, you were-”
“I was supposed to take you on a date,” I cut her off. “They never agreed to it, and I can’t force them. If I go back to them after tonight and tell them it went well they’ll consider meeting you. What can I say? Musicians are assholes.”
“You better tell them we had an amazing night and convince them to court me.” She takes in my outfit and wrinkles her nose. “I can’t believe I have to be seen in public with you.”
I would offer to leave, but I need to keep her here for at least a couple of hours. “Let’s just go eat something, Valerie. We don’t need to talk.”
I walk towards the line of people waiting to be seated and breathe out a sigh of relief when she falls into step next to me, keeping her mouth shut. Small miracles .
The line moves slowly, and Valerie starts tapping her foot against the pavement. Two tall guys are blocking my view, but they soon move to follow whoever is showing them to their table.
“Fucking finally,” Valerie mutters from next to me as we move to the front, waiting for someone to come get us.
“Sorry for the wait-”
My eyes lock with Savvy’s as she steps through the door, and I feel Valerie stiffen next to me. The blood drains from my face as I realize how bad this must look, me being here with someone else.
“Are you going to help us?” Valerie asks in her usual irritated voice before wrapping her arm around my waist and leaning against me. “My boyfriend made the reservations. It’s under Fritz.”
I take a step forward, wanting to get away from Valerie, but she clings to me. “Let go of me,” I hiss, fed up with whatever she’s up to now.
Savvy has a fake smile on her face, refusing to look at me. “Welcome to Gino’s, one second please.”
She turns around and bolts into the restaurant, and I move to follow, almost knocking over a lady stepping outside. She smells like beer and cigarettes, and I hate the look she gives me as I pass her.
“Do you have a reservation?” she calls after me, but I ignore her, along with Valerie, who is shouting at me to get back.
Savvy ran from me once, and I wasn’t around to chase after her; that is not happening tonight.