Chapter 22 Abel
ABEL
I send Anya my daily text. If that’s all it takes to keep her and my parents away, I’ll make sure I have my alarm set three times over just so I don’t forget to send it.
It’s been a week since I’ve been to Buckle’s house.
A week since my first kisses. I still feel the whisper of their lips on mine every time I think about it.
We haven’t been able to meet all three of us again since that night.
Either Buckle has overtime or I have meetings for the Valentine’s Day events or Perry has inventory or a sick employee he has to step in and work for.
We’re constantly texting, though. I miss them, but I know we’ll see each other soon.
We’re still trying to figure out our dynamic and that’s fine. It might take us a while.
I start an audiobook on yet another shifter town.
I’m sure one of these days something will click and I’ll understand why Hawk Ridge is so different.
I’m tempted to ask Anya for a copy of Hawk Ridge’s bylaws, but I don’t want her to know what I’m doing.
I barely know what I’m doing, but there has to be a way besides getting a mage involved.
I don’t want to be Kettle heir. I don’t want to leave Mink Hollow if I can help it.
But I know deep in my gut, my parents or Anya will come for me.
Perhaps I should let Buckle and Perry bond me with them.
I work on a tentacle for one of my octopus stuffies. It’s my favorite part of creating these toys. I plan to finish this octopus before moving on to other smaller toys for variety. I’m hoping to have a few done today to build my inventory. There’s not much time left before the festivities.
Mate Chat
Buckle: I’m looking forward to tonight <3
Perry: me too!
I put my work in my lap.
Abel: Same. And I’d like to do more kissing.
Buckle: Whatever you want, babe :)
Perry: wanna try other stuff?
My stomach clenches and I have to calm myself before I respond. Kissing is nice. But am I ready for more?
Abel: Let’s see how the night goes? If that’s okay?
Perry: of course ::kisses::
I keep thinking about asking them if they’ve had sex yet. I wish they would. I don’t want them to hold out because of me. Who knows when I’ll be ready?
I toss my phone to the couch and slump in the chair. I swear my heart pounds like a baby bird getting tossed from the nest for the first time when they’re learning to fly.
I nibble my bottom lip and start back on the octopus.
“You’re going to make someone so happy,” I say to my creation. Usually, I talk as I craft to make myself feel better.
The audiobook continues on from the couch where I tossed my phone. “Betas are a vital part of Hightop Cove. They’re especially needed in management to keep Alphas and Omegas calm.”
I scoff. “I can’t even help calm my mates. I’m useless. In fact, they have to calm me down.”
“—Betas have the ability to think clearer because they don’t have to worry about their pheromones affecting others since they have none.”
“Think clearer? I can’t think when the room is filled with pheromones. I fucking pass out.”
“Hightop Cove requires a balance of all designations. Without it, everyone isn’t represented. We urge all towns to require this balance. A balance of Alphas, Betas, and Omegas really brings out the best of our town. No one designation is wholly in charge and it makes for peaceful living.”
I have to wonder how old the recording is. A balance would make sense in Hawk Ridge. I chose the book on Hightop Cove because it was another avian run shifter community, but Hightop doesn’t seem to run on fear like Hawk Ridge.
“—Vital that everyone feels heard.”
“Ain’t that the truth,” I mutter. “But my mates make me feel seen and heard. They won’t make me do anything I don’t want to. Whether it’s sex or whatever. I know that. So why the fuck am I so scared of disappointing them?”
I put my octopus down again and stare at the wall.
I have two mates. Two. And while we’ve only just started to know each other, I adore them and I know they adore me. There’s still doubt in my head, but I try to push it away. We have rules in place for a reason. If I told them I had doubts, I know they’ll help soothe them away.
I sigh and sink back into the chair. Just knowing my guys are as excited about tonight as I am makes me so happy.
Perry and Buckle have both decided on dates, so I said I’d come up with something. They’re trusting me and I’m hoping they enjoy what I have in store for them tonight.
During the last Valentine’s Day meeting, Elsbeth mentioned something, and I decided that was the plan.
Buckle is picking Perry and me up when he’s done with work, which will be plenty of time before we have to be at the restaurant.
I’m looking forward to seeing their faces when they realize what I’ve got them into.
I’m finishing up the last crocheted star when Buckle messages that he’s on the way to pick up Perry. I add the star to the pile of others smiling back at me and grin.
I hop to my feet and race to my bedroom to finish getting ready. I just need to put on the clothes I set out earlier and do something about my hair. Thankfully, it didn’t dry too awkwardly and I’ll be able to tame it with some water.
By the time Perry texts me that they’re here, I’m ready.
I grab my wallet and keys and head out to meet my men. They’re leaning against Buckle’s truck waiting for me, which seems strange. I cock my head and glance between them.
“What’s going on?”
Perry grins and wraps his arms around my neck. “We wanted a kiss, but thought it’d be too awkward in the truck.”
“Oh.”
He leans in and I meet his lips. My eyes flutter closed and a jolt of electricity shoots through me. That’s what it felt like the first time, too.
“Don’t hog him,” Buckle says.
Perry smiles against my mouth and continues to kiss me. The world narrows to just us. Just the heat of him against me and the soft sensation of his lips against mine. It’s not heated, but pleasant all the same.
We pull back together, and he smoothes the hair from my eyes. “Hey, sweetness.”
“Hey.” I lean in for another quick peck.
Buckle patiently waits his turn, and it takes all my courage, but I grab him by the back of the neck and pull him to me.
He makes a surprised sound before our lips connect.
Again, that spark sizzles through my body.
He melts into my touch when I cup his cheek.
His hands go to my hips and safety surrounds us.
Perhaps my plans for the night could change.
Perhaps I could invite them both upstairs and we can mark a few things off my fuck list.
But no. I pull away with a grin. One day I won’t be so afraid of going further with these two.
“Come on. We need to be there soon,” I say.
“Where are we going?” Perry asks.
“Secret.” I press a finger to my lips.
Buckle hands me his phone once we’re all settled in the truck and I insert the location. The restaurant name pops up and I frown, but that’s fine.
“Mmm, I love that place,” Perry says.
“I hope you like it today.”
Buckle snorts as he gets us on the road. “It’s always tasty, so I don’t think I’ll have a problem.”
“You say that…” I give them both a look of innocence.
There’s nothing out of the ordinary when we get to the restaurant. Not until we get inside. The interior is transformed into a tropical paradise, sand included.
“What the heck?” Buckle whispers as he looks to me.
“Just play along.” I squeeze his hand.
“Ah!” Elsbeth says as she greets us. She’s wearing a one-piece swimsuit with a wrap around her hips.
“Our guests have begun to arrive!” She swirls the martini glass in her hand and the bangles along her arm jingle with it.
“Come along, dears. We need to get you into the proper attire for a day at the beach.” She leads us down a hallway and to a room lined with touristy beach clothes.
Perry laughs. “Oh my gosh, is this one of those mystery dinner things? This is so fun!” He rummages through a few shirts and finds a hot pink one with bright yellow flowers. “Wear this one.” He hands it to me.
Buckle grins when he finds a bright green shirt with orange fish. “I’m wearing this.” He grabs a bucket hat from a table. “And this.”
Perry grabs a neon blue shirt with red drinks and shrugs it on over his shirt. “I’ve never been to one of these. I’m so excited.”
“Elsbeth was talking about it at the last Valentine’s Day meeting and I bought us tickets. It sounded so fun. And I love stories. This way we get to play a part in one.” I bounce on my toes as Perry buttons up my shirt.
There’s sun screen on the table and Buckle smears some on his face, then across both my and Perry’s noses.
“Now we all look like we’re on vacation,” Buckle says.
Elsbeth sweeps back into the room with a basket. “Everyone looks perfect. It’s time to pick your assignments.” She holds out the basket with envelopes.
Other guests arrive to pick their costumes as we pick our envelopes.
Buckle goes first, then Perry, and me.
Elsbeth passes me a paper ticket. “Hand this to the man at the first door to your right. He’ll get you seated. Read your information, but don’t tell anyone what it says other than your name for the night.”
Perry takes my hand and we skip down the hall, with Buckle following.
We’re seated and open our envelopes. It’s hard to contain myself.
“I’m London Harding,” Perry says. “Do I look like a London?” He bats his lashes.
“Dunno about that,” Buckle says. “I’m Diesel Berry.”
“You can pull off a Diesel,” I say.
“And your name, pretty Beta?” Perry asks.
“Tracy Hall.” I giggle because of what my card says.
The room starts to fill with guests, and in the past I’d start panicking. But my guys keep me calm. And Elsbeth said there were eight guests total then the actors playing the parts so it won’t be too overwhelming.
When the clock strikes seven, I follow my card’s instructions and excuse myself for the bathroom. Two other people join, probably to throw everyone off. Elsbeth hands the three of us new envelopes with new instructions. She winks when I snort.
“Understand the assignment?” She asks us before taking our cards back.
We nod and head back to our waiting audience.