Chapter 31 - Timber #2
“Looks like they got the same deal as us,” Kane replies as we peer at them. But they don’t have any omegas.
Beckett, a defenseman who joined the team before Kane, is sitting with his pack. I can’t hear their argument, but it’s tense enough to draw the attention of most of the diners.
One of his pack storms off, and the other follows, and Beckett stares after them with a crushed look.
If Marilyn is meddling with their lives, the same as she is with us, then doesn’t Beckett need an omega, too?
I glance at Ash, who’s looking at Beckett with the same shock I felt when I first saw Ollie. And an idea comes to mind.
“That’s Beckett,” I say, drawing her attention back to me. “He’s one of the guys on the team, probably way more interesting than we are. I can give you to him, if you want?” I ask before suddenly choking. I didn’t realize how bad that sounded until I spat the words out.
“Give me?” she squeaks, and her wide eyes cloud over as I know I’ve fucked up.
“I didn’t mean…” I trail off
“Give me?” she echoes again, with a scared look. I glance at Kane, hoping he’ll help, but the asshole just shrugs and keeps watching me struggle for words.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. You’re using me for the free meal, as well.” The excuse is probably the worst thing I could have said.
She shoots up fast enough that her chair rocks behind her.
“Marilyn said you were rough around the edges, but you’re just a dickhead like all alphas.
” She sweeps up her bag. “I’d rather eat with people who actually want me around.
Even the awkwardness was better than this.
” She glares at Kane and Ollie like they’re the ones who ruined the date, though it’s more on me for letting them sit down in the first place.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean it like that,” I say again. “Can I make it up to you? At least take your food to go.”
“Forget it. I don’t want to be around someone who thinks he can just hand me off like that.” She looks down at Ollie, who’s still glaring. “I love the dress, but chill the fuck out, yeah? I don’t want your stupid alphas.”
Ash doesn’t give us a second look, practically running from the restaurant.
I should go after her and apologize. She didn’t deserve any of that, especially when she said she was only here to eat.
But the seat beside Ollie is suddenly free, and it’s taking so much for me not to slide into it so I can be closer to her.
Kane leans forward, lifting her hand from the table and kissing the back of it. “Looks like we’ve got you all to ourselves.”
Instead of softening into Kane like she did every other time she spoke to him, she finally looks at me again.
Now that Ash is gone, she relaxes, but it puts me on edge that she acted like that the second she sat down.
Her gaze captures me and speaks of so much more than any words she could say.
Or maybe I’m imagining it because I suddenly want her attention so badly, I’m ready to make up anything just so she’ll keep looking at me. It doesn’t matter that I realize another omega has bewitched me when I can’t stop it.
“You can just ask me about it,” she says slyly as she takes a sip of her water.
“Excuse me?” I ask.
“Luke.” She smirks. “My brother. Because you’re probably wondering why he’s suddenly sitting here in a dress on a date with this guy.” She jabs her thumb at Kane, who just chuckles.
I nod. “You look exactly like him,” I croak. The same feelings I have for Luke are simmering, nearly boiling over. That nervous tightness, that excitement of potential, the way every part of her is so intensely attractive that I’m edging forward in my seat.
“Don’t I?” she asks as she lowers her glass. “I’m guessing he never told you we’re twins? I thought your boss lady would have mentioned it at least. We met her before we took on the job.”
Marilyn didn’t say a thing about it either, and I’m left completely dumbfounded about how Kane met her when I don’t know her at all.
As the conversation flows, I try to talk to her. I want to make her smile, to touch her, to find out what her scent is, but Kane is there like a barrier. He steals her attention, dominating the conversation, making sure I can’t reach her.
I don’t understand why he’s blocking me after all his talk of wanting us to meet.
If he’s so desperate for me to get to know her, why isn’t he letting me get near her?
I need to talk to her without Kane watching me like it’s some kind of experiment. I want space to find out if these feelings that are suddenly storming through me are real, or if it’s just my bullshit alpha side kicking into action again.
Is it possible to feel this way about a brother and sister at the same time?
I’m sure of how I feel about Luke, but my response to her feels instant.
With Luke, it’s been a build-up. Even if it was uncomfortable, I had time to think and adjust to how I want to be with him.
But I’m practically vibrating with need at the sight of Ollie.
Need for her to look at me and pay fucking attention to me as well as Kane.
I cut Kane off in the past every time he suggested that the three of us go on a date, but sitting here with the two of them feels more natural than I’ve felt in years.
And it makes me want to see Luke again to find out what the hell is going on.