Chapter 67
My chest warms as I plunge my hands into the hot, soapy water.
Tonight was an all-around success, as far as I can tell.
There were a few tense moments, but Sarah and Greg both ended up going back for seconds, so I’ll count that as a win.
Even more surprising, Spence didn’t inhale everything like a food vacuum.
Normally there aren’t any leftovers, no matter how much I cook—he may snack on them later tonight; somebody that size takes a lot of calories to keep going.
Still, I’m glad that those two lowered their guard enough around us that eventually things seemed to be almost normal.
Of course, as it turns out, Sarah is bilingual, and has no problem kicking our asses at Scrabble in a combination of English and Spanish.
Al did draw the line at her using words in Mandarin, because none of us are familiar with it at all, and he said she could claim that anything was a word in that sort of instance.
She grinned hugely at him for several seconds, and I’m fairly certain that was her plan all along, I don’t know if she speaks Mandarin at all.
It’s not like she needed the help regardless; the three of us were thoroughly trounced, and I haven’t had that much fun in a long time.
Most evenings nowadays, we spend doing our own thing.
It's relaxing enough, but I do miss the occasional movie night we had, or yes, even the card games Spence and I used to play before we met Alistair—he played admirably when he returned from his phone call. Though he did look a bit worse for wear, so I didn’t give him any shit.
I know his relationship with his family is strained.
He’s the youngest of four brothers, all of whom are closer to Spencer’s size than mine.
Having to grow up around that would give most guys a complex; I can’t even imagine how he felt considering he gets mistaken for an omega on occasion.
Our guests left twenty minutes ago, and if it was more than a ten-minute drive back to Sam’s house, I would have insisted on following just to make sure they got back safe.
As it is, I gave Greg all our numbers and asked him to text when they arrived so we wouldn’t worry.
He smiled approvingly at me while Sarah looked conflicted and Spence grinned like a lunatic.
Al excused himself to get started on the dishes, but I took over as soon as Greg’s text came in that they had made it.
Honestly, the man is part of my family, but he sucks at dishes.
Even the simple things like loading the dishwasher he can’t get right.
Anything that involves actual scrubbing has to be done again; it’s just easier to do it myself than to feel like I’m nagging him for his inability to follow simple instructions.
Not that I would tell him that, but the frustration is real.
Spence is wiping down the dining room table with wood cleaner; it doesn’t need it.
The whole set was a housewarming gift from Sam’s pack, and it’s beautiful.
I don’t know how he found the time to make it, but the chairs are large and sturdy enough that even Spence doesn’t worry about breaking one.
The wood is stained a dark cherry tone and then sealed and buffed within an inch of its life.
Sam said that part was the twins, as Garret has shown some interest in his woodworking, and it was a good project for them to practice on before they made their own.
Regardless of his reasoning, we all appreciate the gift.
Our apartment didn’t have enough space for more than a coffee table, and even that was pushing it once Al moved in and Spence took over the couch.
Spence tosses the rag he’s been cleaning with into a bin beside the washer, and I clear my throat loudly so he’ll pay better attention.
He looks from me to the bin and throws out a quick apology before moving it to a separate bucket to pre-soak since it has cleaning chemicals on it.
I may be shit at sorting laundry, but I don’t want my work shirts to be lemon fresh with de-greaser residue on them.
It would probably be fine, but better to be safe than sorry.
Plus, it’s just a good thing for him to remember.
He meanders over and takes the plate I’ve been scrubbing out of my hands, turning the water on and rinsing it before placing it gently in the drying rack.
It’s not that he’s clumsy, but most things aren’t made for someone his size, and this is our fourth set of dishes we’ve gone through since we’ve lived together.
The others just kind of fall apart in his presence.
Al suggested we needed to buy a nice set of stone wear…
or possibly see if we could find something in stainless steel.
Still, these were cheap, and we can buy single replacements as needed over at the dollar store if one happens to fall victim to the hand strength that is Spence.
The man is closer to me than my own brother, so when he shuffles his feet for the fourth time, I know something’s on his mind.
I let it go, figuring he’ll tell me in his own time, or drop it completely.
By the time we’re down to rinsing out coffee mugs, though, he’s practically hopping in place, and I give up.
“Spence, bro…whatever it is, spit it out. You’re practically shaking the countertop with all the fidgeting. What’s on your mind?”
He grins at me sheepishly, as if we haven’t been friends for half my life and more than that of his.
“I really like her, Paul. Like…really like her. I didn’t want to say anything ’cause I don’t want to put pressure on you after…
everything. I know you aren’t interested in finding a mate after…
yeah. You know you mean everything to me, and I would do anything to keep you from getting hurt.
” He pauses, gathering his thoughts, as if any of this is news to me, then he heaves a sigh, his face scrunched up in thought as he stammers.
“It just feels…I don’t know the right way to say it.
Warm? Cozy? Right? Like all the puzzle pieces are clicking into place.
I know we had a rough start tonight, but even you seemed to feel… something?”
His words trail off on this not-a-statement, like he’s waiting for me to fill in the blank, but I’m not sure how.
She’s not like Elaine in any way, shape, or form.
My scent match is a tall, blonde beta woman, who’s older than I am, and already world-wise.
She was quiet and soft-spoken, at least when I was around.
Soft around the edges from already having started a family before we met.
Demure to the point of almost being withdrawn, and I bet she wouldn’t say shit if she had a mouthful.
She said it was so the kids wouldn’t learn those words from her, but I think it was just her bashful nature.
On the other end of that, we have Sarah—a short, swarthy omega with spikey hair that cusses like a sailor and would probably give me a run for my money at arm wrestling.
Like a tiny, jacked energizer bunny that will fuck you up if you piss her off.
Basically a honey badger in human form. The only times I’ve seen her quiet, she looked more exhausted than withdrawn.
What must it be like to be so full of life that you take everything head-on and fighting? Despite the fact that she’s already older than Spence, I’m not surprised she’s unmated. I don’t think many alphas could handle having an omega around that could so easily put them in their place.
Hell, maybe that’s part of why Spence likes her so much; she matches his energy.
Though his is almost all focused on taking care of everyone around him.
He’s a nurturer trapped in the body of a behemoth.
Regardless of her energy and attitude, I don’t think she’s ever had anyone to care for her other than her beta—though that seems to be fairly recent.
Her need is basically a siren song to Spence’s personality, screaming for help, for someone to care, and my brother is happy to step in and fill that gap.
I’m a little surprised to find that I want to be there, too.
When she started crying earlier, I was devastated, thinking it was my fault.
That I had done something wrong. I wanted to punch myself for making her sad, and that’s just ludicrous.
It’s hard to hit yourself with full force; your body tries to keep it from happening, so the desire makes no sense on any level.
Then when Greg half-explained, vaguely, I wanted to hunt down her family and scent match and punch them instead—it would probably work better that way, regardless.
She was able to calm down and return, but I wanted to pull her against me and purr for her, purposefully, not like Spence’s often involuntary rumble.
He’s still staring at me and I realized I haven’t answered his question, despite my whirling thoughts.
“No…No, you’re right. There’s something about her that just feels…
I don’t know how to say it. She’s not sweet or cute.
” He scoffs at my statement as if it’s the farthest thing from the truth.
“Not cute, not soft and cuddly cute. She’s attractive, definitely, but also kind of like a wounded feral animal.
You want to help it, but you’re also a little worried about losing a lot of blood and possibly body parts in the process of trying.
” He’s nodding along like he understands what I mean, and maybe he does.
For all his seeming ignorance, he’s surprisingly intuitive.
He often doesn’t realize it himself, which makes it all the more endearing.
All of this discussion is moot regardless, as near as I can tell.
In a few days she’ll be gone, just like Elaine, and I don’t know if I can let someone else into my heart, knowing that they’re going to break it again.
I drop my head into my hands, only belatedly realizing they still have soap on them and then cussing loudly as I try to fit my face under the running water to rinse away the sting.
What the hell would an omega want with our pack anyway?
I’m too old and jaded for much of anything.
Al has his head shoved so far up his ass about omegas it’s a wonder he can even breathe, and while I love Spence to death, he’s kind of aimless right now.
Just floating along, going with the flow, waiting for the perfect job to open up while he works at a gym.
Yeah, our pack is a real catch, totally something a young, pretty, college educated woman would want.
Fucking hell.