Chapter 57
Iwant to strangle Al for putting Sarah on the spot like that.
I know he’s pissed that I invited them when he said he’d take me out to dinner, but he didn’t tell me we needed to talk.
Why can’t we just talk at home? We live there.
It seems like it would be the easiest place to do it, and it would have saved us money on dinner.
It’s not that I mind going out to eat sometimes, but maybe he just didn’t want to eat anything at home; he doesn’t really like cooking, and he hasn’t been a fan of any of my experiments.
Plus, this way we can get something for Paul for when he gets home.
Otherwise, he’ll probably just have a bowl of cereal and fall into bed.
He needs to take better care of himself now that he’s back at work.
I know he hasn’t been getting enough sleep.
My pack leader and friend is watching the little omega intently, and I hate that he’s making her uncomfortable.
Her blush is really cute, but I don’t want her to feel interrogated either.
Who the hell invites someone out to eat and then hits them with that kind of shit?
Ok, well, technically I invited her, but he should have more decorum than that.
You don’t play twenty questions with your guests…
well, unless it’s like a party sort of situation, but I don’t think we have that going on here, especially not after Hope earlier.
I hate stopping by when she works. It got so much worse once she started coming into the gym.
It was really sweet of Al to let me sit farther away from her grabby hands.
If only we had stuck to eating or friendly chats.
“So, you guys want to come in and see the nest when you drop off my bike? I’d like your opinion.
” This is mostly directed at Sarah, but I’m happy to get thoughts from Greg too, since he knows her well.
Ultimately, it might not even matter, but I’m proud of how it came out and all the work I put into it anyway.
I really hope she likes it…they both do, since his opinion matters to her, and he seems pretty cool.
Al turns a glare my way, and Greg has a small smile, but Sarah beams at me.
“That sounds great.” Her eyes flick over to my pack leader.
“We can’t stay long, because Shaggy’s waiting back at Sam’s, and he hasn’t gotten nearly as much cuddle time as he thinks he needs, but if it’s ok, I’d love to see how it’s coming along.
What you described sounded amazing.” My brain racks for a minute before remembering that Shaggy is her pet rabbit, and dang it if that doesn’t sound adorable.
Bunnies are always so soft. Not that I’ve ever had one as a pet, but they have them at the petting zoo we used to go to for field trips and stuff like that.
Some of those guys got big. Though Sam mentioned hers was tiny before…
so that’s probably like fun-sized or something?
“Oh, there’s no pressure. I don’t want you to have to rush or anything if you’d rather pick a different day or just whatever works for you.
I’d hate to put you out after you’re helping me.
” Greg groans and drops his face in his hands and Sarah’s smile slips a little, so I rush on.
“I mean, I want to know what you think, but I don’t want to cause any problems…
the filter between my brain and mouth seems to be on fritz right now—just know I’d love your opinion, as long as it doesn’t upset your bunny. ” She snorts a laugh at that.
“Oh, trust me, Moose, everything upsets the bun. He’s a diva, but he’ll be fine for a few extra minutes.
The run Sam built for him takes up half the room so he has plenty of space, and I’m pretty sure Teddy’s been popping in a few times a day to say hi too.
So don’t sweat his fluffy little ass.” An affronted gasp comes from the front of the diner and I look over to see Hope clutching her metaphorical pearls.
I wouldn’t think it would be at the word “ass” since she’s said a lot worse.
Maybe she’s just upset that Sarah is coming to the house?
Not that that makes sense either…I mean, it could be a jealousy thing, though I’m not banging Sarah, or anybody.
She’s sweet, but she’s not mine…ours. I really like her, but I don’t want to get too attached, ’cause I know it’ll already hurt when she leaves, and we’ve only known each other for a few days.
Fuck, this is only really the third time talking to her, and she spent a good portion of the second time asleep on me.
There’s just something about her…not her scent, though that’s really good.
Strawberries and cream. I don’t know what to call it other than her fire.
She’s tiny and fierce and so passionate about everything.
She has so much life and enthusiasm, and I don’t know how I could ever get lucky enough to be a part of that.
So, there’s no reason for Hope to be jealous or whatever the hell she’s being weird about.
Suddenly, I want to call Tiffany and ask for advice, but I’m not even sure exactly what the question would be.
It’s not like I can try to court Sarah—Greg is her scent match, and I think he would be good with it from what he said earlier.
But she also has another scent match, plus she lives so far away.
How would one go about long-distance courting?
I don’t think Tiffany would have any suggestions on that; she’s never had a boyfriend, or at least not one she’s told me about.
Though there was that one guy last year that she brought home for Christmas…
But she said they were just friends, even though they were holding hands at the table.
Thinking about it now, I’m pretty sure she lied to me so I wouldn’t interrogate him about his intentions.
Not that I would do it on purpose, but I guess some people might find me intimidating.
I don’t try, and it’s not like I can make myself smaller.
Kay tried to help me find “slimming” clothes, but it just never worked.
I’m gonna be big, no matter what, and unless I can figure out how to wear shoes on my knees and hobble around like that, I’m gonna be taller than everybody.
Still, it’s frustrating that I just realized she was worried enough not to be honest with me.
Maybe I shouldn’t bother her with this after all…
I don’t want to inconvenience her by asking too many questions, especially if she does have other stuff going on.
Al draws me out of my meandering thoughts by poking me in the shoulder…
repeatedly, apparently. He looks annoyed when my brain finally comes back online and I focus on him.
“Where’d you go?” My face must still be blanked out.
“You were woolgathering. Are you ok, Spencer?” His hand comes up, wrist across my forehead, but he pulls it back shortly thereafter, muttering about not running a fever.
Then he cups both sides of my face, making me turn and lower my head so he can check my eyes.
“Are you alright? Did you bang your head today at work? Have you been using proper ventilation when you painted this week?”
Sarah snickers across the table from me and tries to turn it into a cough.
His concern is appreciated, if embarrassing.
Both he and Paul tend to baby me sometimes.
I’m pretty sure it’s ’cause they both think of me as a younger brother, but it’s still awkward how far they’ll take it.
Regardless, it’s nice to have them worry, even when it does cause situations like this.
I gently take his hands and move them away.
“I’m fine, really. I’ve just been up late a lot with the nest, so I need some more rest. I’ll try to get to bed early tonight, ok?
The star search can wait until tomorrow.
” He looks puzzled for a moment at that statement before giving in and nodding once.
Sarah and Greg watch us from across the table.
He has a small, amused smile on his face, and the only way I can describe her expression would be wistful.
Though how Al acting like a mother hen is something to envy, I don’t know.
I thought for sure that once I moved out of my parents’ house, it would be the end of that sort of thing, but clearly not.
Finally, Greg breaks the moment, holding up a debit card.
“So, we ready to head out? I can go pay up at the front and then follow you back to your place. I think I remember the way, but better to be safe than sorry.”
Al looks annoyed. “No, it was my idea to come out, and my packmate that invited you. I’ll cover dinner.”
Greg’s big, easy smile takes on a slightly brittle edge.
“Nah, we pretty much invited ourselves, and y’all fed us over the weekend; this is fair.
” Before Al can reply, Sarah blushes, pokes Greg in the arm and asks him to scoot, mumbling about the bathroom.
He gets up to let her out and she takes his hand, kissing the back of it before she prances over to the cash register and points at our table, handing over the card that was in Greg’s hand earlier.
She passes it over to Ginger and then takes off for the back where the restroom signs are.
Sarah hasn’t made it back yet before Ginger comes over with Greg’s card and the check for him to sign—much to Al’s annoyance. She’s also carrying a white foam container, and I completely spaced that Al ordered Paul’s dinner. I swear I’d forget my head if it wasn’t attached.
The little omega looks smug when she returns to the table after the dishes are cleared away.
Al is glaring at her, but Greg just kisses her on the forehead and nuzzles into her hair.
Her voice carries an edge of uncertainty as she looks from Al to me.
“Come on, you guys were going to get weird and take forever. I want to go see Moose’s nest and then get back to Teddy’s. I need a shower and cuddles.”
At this declaration, Greg pulls her close, and I’m hit with a jolt of envy as she burrows against his chest. I don’t even understand why showing her my work is so important.
It’s not like she wants to be mine…ours?
Paul would be supportive, but it wouldn’t be fair to her if he stayed so detached.
Al is vehemently opposed to having an omega, though he’s fine with Teddy.
So maybe it’s girls. Though he’s been…ok, not welcoming, or even polite.
But not as brisk to Sarah, even when he is being an invasive butt monkey.
Maybe this is a bad idea, but I can’t help wanting her to like the nest, and wanting her to be proud of the work I put into it.