Chapter 25 Buckle
BUCKLE
I swipe my forehead with the back of my hand and stifle a yawn. The scent of grease and oil surrounds me. All I can think about is getting back to Perry and Abel. Feel them in my arms. But we all have work and I have to wait for tonight. I groan because it’s not even noon yet.
The three of us have a routine curated by Perry.
My sweet Omega is very good at schedules and plans.
It’s been weeks now and we rotate whose place we end up at the end of the night, but I’m getting tired of moving every couple days.
We all have clothes and essentials at everyone’s residence, which makes mornings easier.
And we all have everyone’s favorite kind of snacks and drinks as well.
Anything to make all our places cozy for all three of us.
Perry and Abel both have nice little places, but I want them with me permanently in my house. If they don’t want to stay on the Rising estate, we can move my trailer some place else. I don’t care as long as we’re together.
I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve two of the sweetest mates on the planet. The thought of comparing them to Pax doesn’t even cross my mind. Why would it? Fate said they’re perfect for me and they are.
I think I should ask them to move in with me soon. Maybe tonight.
Perry: went into heat. im at my place don’t come over.
I grumble as I read the text. I wish he’d let us help. Well, I’m not sure if Abel would be interested, but I can help.
Buckle: Just let me know if you change your mind and I’ll be there as fast as possible.
Abel: I can bring soup? You need to keep up your strength.
Of course, Abel thinks of sustenance instead of sex. Ugh, I’m the worse Alpha ever.
Buckle: Exactly. If you need something, anything, let us know.
Perry: i appreciate it my amazing mates, but i’ll be fine. kisses
Abel: kisses
Buckle: kisses
I huff at my phone. But Perry is right. He’s been through this before and knows what he wants and doesn’t want. If he doesn’t think we’re ready for kids yet, I trust him.
Hours crawl by. I can’t help the smile when I open my lunch.
Abel made a couple of meat and cheese filled sandwiches he cut into hearts.
The heart-shaped cutter has been getting a workout since he bought it.
Valentine’s Day is one of his favorite holidays, even though he still doesn’t feel all that worthy of love.
Perry and I try to remind him he doesn’t have to be worthy, he is loved.
None of us have exchanged I love you yet.
But we say it in our actions. Like these heart-shaped sandwiches.
And the cute little veggies he cut into stars, hearts, and flowers.
He enjoys making lunch for all three of us, adding the cutest personal touches to everything.
And he knows I like the fruit snacks or a pudding cup.
The man spoils me. I know he makes sure Perry gets his own version of an amazing lunch, too.
Abel: You need to come get Abel - Riley
I reread the text several times before my brain kicks into gear. Something is wrong with Abel.
Buckle: Be right there.
I swipe my hands on the grease cloth tucked into my belt.
Something’s wrong with Abel. He’s been much calmer since we started our routine.
Perry and I share pheromones with him every day now, which seems to help his anxiety.
Only Perry and I get into a bit of naughty fun, but we still haven’t done anything penetrative.
We’re still exploring each other in other ways.
What can possibly be wrong that Riley felt the need to text?
I’m the worse Alpha ever. I can’t feel Abel’s emotions. Not like Perry can. Perry won’t let us help with his Heat, so he’s suffering alone. Now Abel’s having troubles. Hopefully, I can at least help comfort one of my mates.
Perry: you need to take care of abel
My stomach twists. Fuck. I’m really doing a bad job if Perry’s getting involved.
Buckle: I’m on my way now. Do you need anything?
Perry: no. just help abel
Buckle: Will do.
I rush to the office. “I need to take some time off. Mate...” my brain searches for something more substantial than mate problems. “In Heat.”
“Damn,” Torrence says. “Go take care of your guy. I’ll mark you down for Heat leave.”
“Thanks. Appreciated.” It’s true enough, just the wrong partner.
I race to my truck and hop in. My hands tremble the closer I get to the library. Maybe Abel’s sick? Once I park, I grab one of the dozens of reusable bags from the back seat. If Abel is sick, at least I have a barf bag for him.
People pour from the library, and I race towards the entrance. My heart pounds as if it’s going to beat right the fuck out of my chest. Something is wrong. Abel’s in trouble. Why can’t I tell?
“Where is he?” I practically bellow as soon as I enter the library.
Riley rushes over and waves me to follow. “He locked himself in the utility closet. Obviously, I have a key, but it felt wrong to intrude. All I could think of was to get you or Perry here. But I think Perry might be the problem.”
I grab Riley by the collar and slam him against the wall. “What do you mean?”
“He’s panicking because he can feel Perry’s Heat and his emotions.”
“What? Why can’t I?” Why can’t I feel Perry?
“Haven’t you noticed how sensitive Abel is to you and Perry? He practically latched on to both of you as soon as the three of you discovered you were Fated.” Riley gives me a look and I drop him from my grip.
I throw my head back. “Of course I noticed, but I just thought it was Abel being Abel.”
“Come on,” Riley says. I finally notice crying down the hall. “He’s so upset he won’t let me help.” He waves to the closet door before leaving me.
This close, I can finally feel Abel’s emotions as if they’re my own. If this is how deeply he feels everything, I understand why he gets so upset when he does. I thought we’d been helping.
I knock. “Abel?”
There’s a sniffle sob on the other side and some shuffling before he peeks his head through the door.
Tear streaks mar his face. His eyes are puffy and red.
He wipes his nose with the back of one hand.
“Buckle.” Abel launches himself at me. “I’m sorry.
So sorry.” He blinks tears from his eyes.
This close, I can feel his erection pressing into me and my brain is confused.
“It’s okay, Abel.” I wipe his tears with the pads of my thumbs. “What’s wrong?”
“Perry,” he moans the name. “I can feel him. He’s not doing good.”
“He doesn’t want us to help.”
“We have to,” Abel whines. “It’s like I can feel his body and it makes me hard.” He presses his hands to the front of his pants. “I don’t understand. I’m just a Beta. I shouldn’t feel him like this, right?”
I hold his face in my hands. “You’re not just a Beta.”
Abel rubs his face against my hands. “I don’t understand what’s happening.” He blinks and tears fall down his cheeks. “This has never happened before. I don’t get turned on in public.” He squirms on his feet. His face is so pink and splotchy, no doubt from embarrassment.
“Babe, let’s get you home. Maybe a warm bath will help?”
“I don’t have a tub.”
“Well, I do. You’ll take a nice warm bath, then we’ll watch something mindless.”
“Okay.” Abel nods and wraps his arms around me. “I’m so embarrassed.”
“Don’t be.” I kiss the top of his head and scoop him into my arms, making him yelp.
“You can’t carry me out.”
“I think it’ll be for the best if you don’t want your dick leading.”
He curls in my arms and buries his head in my throat. “Sorry.”
“Nothing to be sorry about.” He’s so light in my arms.
Riley hands me Abel’s phone as we walk past. We don’t get very far when he says he’s marking Abel down for Heat leave for the next several days. Abel cringes in my hold, and I squeeze him closer.
We get to my house and I start him a bath. Abel acts dead on his feet.
“Are you feeling better?” I ask.
“No,” he whispers. “But at least I’m not publicly freaking out anymore.
I just couldn’t contain myself. I can feel Perry.
Something isn’t right. I got all hot and uncomfortable, then my dick got hard and I panicked and ran to the utility closet because I didn’t know if I’d randomly start spewing pheromones too or not. ”
I pull him into a hug. “I’m so sorry you’re going through that.”
“You’re not going through it?”
I shake my head. “I don’t feel him. Or you,” I whisper.
Why can’t I feel them when they can obviously feel each other?
“But I know I will soon enough. It’s Fate telling me I need to be a better Alpha to you both.
” I give him another squeeze and usher him to the bathroom.
I leave him in peace to do whatever he needs.
He’s not in the bath for long when he comes out wearing the t-shirt I laid out for him. It’s entirely too big, but he looks adorable in it.
“Feeling better?”
He shakes his head and drops beside me on the couch. His nose wrinkles. “Maybe you should shower.”
“That sounds divine.” I hand him the remote. “Find us something fun to watch.”
I hate leaving him. There is a twinge in my chest, akin to feeling sad. Is that Perry? Or even Abel?
I don’t take a long shower, not wanting to leave Abel for long. I find him curled up on the couch and wrapped in the knitted blanket I always keep on the back. He’s so peaceful. I have to wonder if the connection to Perry broke or something.
The annoying floorboard that always creaks behind the couch cracks like usual and Abel shoots up. His hair is every which way, and I want to smooth it all down.
“Sorry for waking you,” I say.
“‘so kay,” he mumbles and wraps his arms around his knees.
“Can I hold you?”
He nods. When I’m settled on the couch, he climbs right into my lap and sighs.
“Sorry,” he whispers.
“Please, don’t be.” He’s light and smells like me from using my soap. His hair’s still a bit damp. He feels like mine. But—
“There’s something missing,” Abel says.
“Perry.”
Another nod. “When we’re not all together, it’s like my heart isn’t settled in my chest and knowing he’s not satisfied makes it hurt worse.”
“He told us to stay away.” And I’ll honor that until he requests us.
“Feels wrong.” Abel picks at the collar of my t-shirt.
It does. It really does, but I’m an Alpha that doesn’t force himself on Omegas.
I nuzzle my face in Abel’s throat, breathing deeply. Betas don’t have pheromones like Alphas and Omegas do, but I don’t care because he smells like mine.
Instead of watching something, we both pass out. I know this because the blaring of my phone wakes us both.
“It’s Perry,” Abel whispers when I swipe to accept the FaceTime.
“Are you—”
“Need you,” Perry gasps out. “So bad. I can’t do this on my own.” He’s naked from the chest up, which is all I can see, but he’s bouncing on a toy. “Please. Alpha.”
Abel nods.
“We’ll be there.” I hang up.
Something in my chest slides into place and Abel sighs.
Neither of us bothers to change into other clothes.
We step into our shoes silently and head out the door.
The fact that Abel smells like me keeps me from crawling out of my skin.
When we’re buckled in my truck, his slender hand drops to my thigh and I relax further.
“I’ve never helped an Omega through their Heat,” I admit as I tap my fingers on the steering wheel.
“Never?”
“Nope. I knew I had a Fated and didn’t want to.” Even though if Pax had ever asked, I would have helped in a heartbeat.
Abel slumps. “I’m glad you’re not stuck with just me as your mate.”
Fuck. “I’m not stuck with you. I want to be with you.”
“That’s Fate talking.”
I park in front of Perry’s house. I pull Abel close and nuzzle his hair again. “It might be Fate that finally got us to talk to each other outside of the library, but it’s you that keeps me interested.”
He turns a cute pink and nods. “Okay.”
“Have you been close to an Omega in Heat?” I’d been around Paxton when he was in Heat and it was intense.
Abel shakes his head again. “I’m scared. I don’t know if I can help. I just want him to stop hurting.” He rubs his chest. “You’ll help, right?”
I kiss his temple. “I’m going to do my best.”
We exit my truck and immediately get hit with Perry’s pheromones. I’m glad he lives on his own because the thought of other Alphas scenting him pisses me off.
Abel whimpers beside me and races up the steps. He turns to wait for me, but as soon as I hit the first step, he opens the door. We’re entering the den of an Omega in Heat and I’m not sure how we’ll fare.