Chapter 31
Tucker
I’m done with work, but I don’t really feel like going home. I haven’t really spent much time at my place the past few weeks.
I can’t stop thinking about the evening I gave Nick his mate mark in the woods. Ever since, I’ve been spending more time with not only my Alpha, but my Omega too.
Nova was right when she said I should give Nick some time. He’s not a sweet, sit down and talk about your feelings kind of guy. It takes him a while to digest big changes, I understand that, and I’m glad I gave him that time.
Now things have changed, but for the better.
He’s even smiled and laughed around me, and I swear one time he joked with me. I think. Maybe? Okay, I don’t know, but still, I call it improvement.
He kisses me hello and goodbye and he finds ways to touch me, even if he thinks he’s being subtle about it, he’s not.
I crave so much more from him, but I want to be respectful and this is already more than I thought I’d ever get from him.
“See you later, Davis.” One of my coworkers says as I head out of the changing room.
“Ah, yeah. Later.” I give him a wave and exit the building.
Ever since Nick and the MC dealt with Chris, things have been weird at work. Not exactly in a bad way, but I’m starting to see that this station is heavily owned by the Steel Devils.
My old coworkers, who I’d have my heats with, no longer even look me in the eyes. Not that I’m sad about it, but it’s like they’re afraid of what might happen if they do.
I told Nova about it and she laughed, giving me a mischievous grin. I guess Nick went down and had a talk with them. Not sure what he said, but it had to be interesting enough that they won’t even acknowledge me.
Part of me is annoyed because these are people I work with. Yet the Omega in me preens that Nick is marking his territory and going all possessive Alpha on my ass.
Another odd thing I noticed is, it’s like Chris never worked here. No one asked questions about where he is, and I haven’t dared bring up his name. But it’s almost as if he never existed.
It makes me happy that I’m on Nick’s and his MC's good side because they really do hold an insane amount of power around here.
Grabbing my phone from my pocket, I give Nova a call, but frown when it goes to voicemail. Huh. I try Ian next, but it does the same.
“Hey.” I greet Will when he picks up his phone. “Do you know where Ian and Nova are?”
“Not at home?” Will asks. I can hear the sounds of power tools going off in the background. He must still be at work.
“No idea. But I tried their phones and no one is picking up.”
“Huh. Give me a second.” I get to my car and sit in the driver's seat, waiting to hear back from Will. He comes back a minute later chuckling. “I checked the cameras at Ian’s bakery. He said something about going in early to help out a lady. Nova is with him.”
“Why do you sound so amused?”
“Because they are doing... very Nova and Ian things.”
“Ahh.” I chuckle, shaking my head. “Not sure if I want details.”
“Probably for the best. So, what's up? Why did you need them?”
“No big deal, It’s fine.”
“Tucker.” Will and Ian might not be my Alphas, but they are pack and we’ve grown surprisingly close. They’re like good friends at this point. They care about me, and it’s nice considering Ian was ready to kill me at one point.
I feel stupid answering him, but I do. “I just got off work. I don’t feel like going home and being alone.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Everything is fine.” I sigh. “I just... I don’t know, it’s stupid.”
He chuckles. “It’s not stupid. You don’t want to be at your place because you’d rather be at our place, with one of us. Honestly, that’s how it should be. At this point, you should just move in.”
My brows furrow. “Really? You think?”
“You pretty much live there anyway. When was the last time you spent the night at your place?”
I stop and think for a moment, but can’t come up with an answer.
“I don’t know.”
“That’s my point. Bring it up to Nick. I know Nova will be at your place the second you mention it, packing your shit up and bringing it over. So, no issues on her part.”
“But, do you think there might be with Nick?” The idea makes me a little uneasy.
“I don’t think so, but Nick doesn’t like to be blindsided and I think he’s gotten a lot of that lately, don’t you?”
“Yeah.” I sigh. “You’re right.”
“I’m working for another few hours and Nova and Ian may be a while. You’re welcome to go to the house and hang out with Duchess and Petunia, but if you don’t want to, just head down to the clubhouse. Nick just texted me that he’s going to have a few beers and play some pool before heading home.”
“Yeah.” I say. “Maybe.”
Hanging up, I stare out the window for a few long moments. Should I go to the compound? Would Nick want that?
We haven’t really spent any time alone. Would he be hanging out with his club brothers and I’d be in his way?
“Stop overthinking everything Tucker.” I groan. “Stop being a pussy and go hang out with your Alpha.”
Starting the car, I leave the parking lot and head for the compound.
When I get there, the same guy guarding the gate the first time I was here is on duty today.
He takes one look at me and opens the gate. Just to be a petty person, I roll down the window as I pass and give him a wave and a wink. He glares at me but doesn’t do anything as I head down the dirt road.
I’ve been back here a few times since then, but I’m not comfortable being here without Nova. She’s just so bubbly and confident. No one dares look at her for too long knowing one of her Alphas will do something about it.
Will it be different now that things between me and Nick are better? Nova said they all know about me now. That’s something, right?
Parking the car near a few others, I get out and close the door. I take a moment to look around.
This place has changed a lot. Nova showed me photos of it before and it was something out of a small town horror movie. Knowing that my pack helped rebuild this makes me proud.
“What are you doing here?” I look over to see Tyler, the guys’ cousin.
“Ah, hey.” I give him a nod. “Here to see Nick.”
He just glares at me. But the little girl standing next to him doesn’t. She smiles wide. “Nick is my big brother!” she says happily.
“I know.” I laugh softly at Rica. She’s a really cute kid. Smart, kind and a funny little girl.
“And you're his Omega.” She nods then looks up at Tyler. “Are you going to have two Omegas when you grow up?”
“I don’t know.” he shrugs.
“I want five alphas. No, ten!” she grins. Tyler frowns.
“Any Alpha, or any guy for that matter, comes near you, sugarplum, I’m going to kill them.” he growls. He really does think the world of that little girl. Poor thing won’t be able to date until she’s thirty if the guys have it their way.
“That’s not nice. No killing, Tyler.” she crosses her arms. “Ian says only if they deserve it.”
Of course he did.
“Whatever.” He mutters.
“Nick is inside there.” She points to the clubhouse. “I saw him go in.”
“Thanks, Rica.” I laugh. “You two have fun.”
Leaving the grumpy teenager with his bubbly little princess, I head inside.
As soon as I open the door, I feel every eye turn my way.
I start to sweat under their stares, trying not to look at them for too long. When my eyes land on Nick playing pool on the other side of the room, I’m sweating for a whole new reason.
His blue eyes are on mine, a cigarette hanging from his lips. He’s giving me Jax Teller vibes right now, and my dick is really enjoying the view.
Yes, I watched Sons of Anarchy after finding out I was mated to an MC president. It was for research.
Nick takes a drag of his cigarette and puts it out in an ash tray, then places his cue stick down.
He walks over to me, his boots thudding against the hardwood floors. He blows the smoke out when he’s a few feet away, walking through it to stand in front of me.
“What are you doing here?” We’re toe to toe now and I’m finding it hard to think. I can smell the smoke on him, but his scent is strong enough to overpower it.
“Nova is at the bakery with Ian and Will is working.” I shrug. “Got off work and didn’t want to go home.”
He nods. “Stay.” He gestures towards the bar. “Have a drink.”
“Okay.”
We walk over to the bar and Nick orders a rum and coke. “What do you want?”
“Soda is fine.” I tell him. “I drove here.”
“He’ll have the same.” Nick tells them. Okay then. “You eat yet?” he asks me.
I shake my head. “No.”
“Order of wings too. Honey garlic.” I should bite back a smile, but he remembered. Why does that feel like a big deal?
“You know how to play pool?”
“A little bit.”
The bartender places our drinks on the bar top and Nick grabs them, handing me mine. He nods his head towards the table. “Come on.”
My heart races as sparks of excitement trickle in. We head over the table and I take the cue he holds out. “Thanks.”
He nods and places his drink on the edge then sets up the balls.
I watch, sipping my drink, trying to play it cool. I’m hanging out with Nick. Alone. Okay, not alone because there are people around us, but he’s with me, not with his friends.
“You wanna break?” he asks, grabbing his cue stick.
“Sure.” I take another drink and place it on the side as I move over to line up my shot.
I’m highly aware that Nick hasn’t moved very much, giving me little space so when I bend over, my ass is very close to his groin.
With a steadying breath, I take my shot. The balls clack and break apart, a few going into the pockets.
“Not bad.” I step away and let him take his shot.
We go back and forth like that, not saying anything, just drinking and playing. I find myself watching him, the little hitch of his lips whenever he gets a shot.
By the time we’re done, the bartender tells us my wings are ready.
“Good game.” he places the cue stick on the table.
“You won.”
“Yes,” he chuckles. “But you still played well.”
“Thanks.” I try really damn hard not to blush, not in here. Not with all his club brothers watching.