Chapter 10 #2
Ash nodded back in what he hoped was a nonthreatening way. He knew he reeked of alpha, thanks to Ryder, and he didn’t want this guy to think he’d been, like, objectifying him or whatever.
The guy’s gaze dropped down to where Ash’s bag rested on the floor. His big blue eyes grew even bigger, and then he jerked his gaze back to his own laptop.
Ash glanced down, his heart stopping in his chest at what he saw. His stupid fucking pamphlets were poking out, their titles in huge, legible font. Late Presentation and You. Omegas: More than Meets the Eye. Maximizing Your Heats.
Jesus fucking Christ.
Ash hurriedly leaned forward and stuffed them back into his bag, glaring around the room. It didn’t look like anyone else had seen. All the other early arrivers were either studying their notes or scrolling through their phones. Bullet dodged or whatever.
But then the nosy omega Ash had been staring at gathered his laptop and bag and rose from his seat, shuffling over and dropping into the empty chair next to Ash.
Ash stiffened. The guy gave him a full, megawatt omega smile. “Hi. I’m Everett.”
“Ash.”
“I know.”
“You do?”
Everett gave a graceful shrug. “Just from around. You’re always with that hot alpha.”
“Ryder,” Ash said, not sure how he felt about Ryder being known as “that hot alpha.” Was it hilarious or terrible? Maybe both.
“Oh yeah, that one too. But also Spencer Phillips.”
Ash hadn’t realized other people had noticed that. There was no reason that should flood him with a hot flush of satisfaction. Yeah, bitches. He’s ours.
Everett opened his laptop back up with deliberate casualness. “You know, there’s a study group.”
“I don’t play well with others,” Ash said immediately. He’d never been one to join any study groups or after-school clubs or teams of any kind. Those usually required tolerating people who weren’t his family or Ryder, and he’d never been very good at that.
Everett laughed, all tinkling and delightful. “No shit. But you might like this one. It’s omega only. We’re rare in this major, gotta stick together.”
So he’d definitely read the titles of Ash’s reading material. Ash scowled at the pretty omega. “You’re assuming a lot from a couple of pamphlets.”
Everett kept his eyes on his laptop screen as he cocked his head. “Well, it was more your reaction to me seeing the pamphlets than anything.”
Ash swallowed hard. There was something vaguely terrifying about having someone he’d never met before know his secret. Which was stupid, because once his pheromones stabilized, everyone would know. But that would be at some indeterminate point in the future. This was now. In his lecture hall.
“I’m not—I’m still—”
“We’re not the pheromone police or anything,” Everett interrupted. “You don’t have to smell like cherries jubilee to attend.” Ash had no idea what the fuck cherries jubilee even was, but Everett kept going. “Just give me your phone so I can text you the info.”
Ash should tell him to fuck right the hell off. He didn’t. He wordlessly passed his phone over, and Everett entered his number with dainty taps of his thumbs, then called himself, saving Ash’s info in his own phone. He handed Ash back his cell with a grin. “You’re at, like, one percent battery.”
“I know.” Ash looked around the room again, seeing the scant number of omegas in a new light. “Do they give you a hard time? The alphas in our major?”
Everett scoffed. “As if. Alphas love me. I’m adorable.”
Weirdly enough, the words didn’t come off as boastful. He just sounded … aware of his own appeal. And not shy about it either.
Ash eyed Everett’s cherubic good looks in a new light. Different types of people had different weapons in their arsenal, didn’t they? Being chronically underestimated could definitely work in someone’s favor.
“What do you smell like?” Ash asked before he could stop himself. All he could make out was a certain vague sweetness. Not scenting pheromones had never bothered him before, but now that he knew the difference, he kind of felt like he was operating with dulled senses. Which, he guessed he was.
It was a rude fucking question, and Everett had every right not to answer. But he did, immediately and without offense. “Candy apples.”
Ash made a face before he could stop himself, and Everett laughed again.
“Trust me. Alphas can’t get enough.”
They sat in silence for another few minutes, Everett tapping away at his phone now. Finally, Ash cleared his throat. “If someone does give you a hard time, come to me.”
Everett didn’t look up from his texting. “Only if you come to the study group.”
Ash scowled. This was so stupid. He had Ryder in his corner and Spencer on the hook—what the hell did he need some random omegas for? “Do I have to be nice?”
“Yes, actually.”
“Fine. Maybe. Text me and we’ll see.”
Everett’s agreement came in the form of a secretive little smile.
Ash settled back in his chair as the lecture finally began. He still felt antsy and wired, same as he had all week, but he was maybe—just maybe—a little less pissed off at the world.
At least for now.