Chapter 22 Peyton
PEYTON
It didn’t take long to help Dalton pack his belongings. After we finished packing, there were two suitcases jam-packed and a box of miscellaneous objects that wouldn’t fit in the suitcases. Then it was a short walk to Theo’s apartment.
“Did you drive down? Where’s your car?” I looked at Dalton as we reversed the process and unpacked in the space Theo had set aside for us, seeing the grimace on his face.
“My clunker of a car barely made it here. It died a few miles outside of Jacksonville. The cost to fix it wasn’t worth it.
I had to have Jace come pick me up. I ended up junking the thing.
” Dalton blew out a breath. “Before you say anything, I know. You’ve been telling me for over a year I needed a new car.
I honestly didn’t think it was that bad. ”
Dalton sat on the edge of the bed, looking defeated. It hurt my heart to see my beta looking like that. I sat next to him, shoulders bumping.
“It’s not the end of the world, you know. You got here safely. That’s what matters.” I smiled. “Now, you can’t turn me down when I buy you a new car.”
Dalton’s head snapped up, looking at me with his mouth open in shock.
“That’s what you… seriously?” A laugh busted out of Dalton.
Shaking his head, my beta put his head on my shoulder.
The familiar move settled something inside me.
Maybe we weren’t as far off course as I’d thought we might be.
Dalton’s next words cemented that thought.
“I want a car with a stick shift. A blue car.”
“Done. We’ll go car shopping once we get settled and see if we can find you something you like.”
My phone buzzed in my pocket, a harsh, insistent vibration that seemed loud in the quiet room. I pulled it out, frowning at the screen. Another text. That was the third one in an hour.
Father: We need to talk.
I shoved the phone back into my pocket, jaw clenching. It was getting harder to ignore.
“Who is it?” Dalton asked, lifting his head. “You look… tense.”
“Just business,” I lied smoothly, though I knew Dalton could see right through me. “Some loose ends back home. Like we talked about.” I forced a smile. “Nothing I can’t handle.”
“Are you sure about all this, Peyton? Theo’s life is here in Sugar Beach. His family and business are here. I can’t see him wanting to move to West Virginia.” Dalton straightened up to look at me. “I know you. You love everything about living in Treasure Hollow. It’s home.”
“Yes, I love West Virginia. I love you more. Home is wherever you are, my sweet beta. Now, there’s Theo to consider. I’d never ask him to uproot his life.”
“Do you think we can make this work, whatever this thing is, between the three of us?” Dalton cuddled back into my arms. That simple move settled a part of me that had been anxious ever since the man had run away.
“I don’t know, but I think it would be a mistake not to try.
I can’t deny the emotions welling up inside me at just the thought of walking away.
It’s not as strong as the feelings I have with you.
They’re more like what it was like when we first met.
I knew the instant I met you, you were going to change my life.
” I kissed the top of Dalton’s head. “I never once regretted having you in my life. The last few weeks without you were devastating. I didn’t know where you were, if you were okay, why you left.
Never do that again, Dalton. I don’t think my heart can stand it. ”
“Now that I have you back, I don’t think I could ever walk away again. I was so close to begging you to forgive me. You don’t know how many times I picked up the phone to call you.”
“Yet you didn’t.”
“No.”
Silence filled the room for a while as we sat there, each with our own thoughts. My phone buzzed again. Short, sharp bursts. I ignored it, but the tension coiled tighter in my gut. I’d have to answer eventually. I’d have to go back.
“Maybe we should take Theo on a date,” Dalton said suddenly, breaking the silence.
“That’s a good idea. We’ve sort of done everything a little backward with Theo’s heat coming on so suddenly.
I think it would be a good idea if we all got to know each other better.
” I hesitated before speaking again. But I needed to know what Dalton was thinking.
“How do you feel about Theo? Are you okay with what’s happening? ”
“When I first spotted Theo, I felt guilty about the rush of emotions that came over me. Even though we weren’t together, it felt like I was cheating on you.
Then you suggested the idea of a throuple, I felt relief.
Theo brings out a protective instinct I’ve never felt before.
I want to hold him tight and protect him from the world.
That sounds crazy. I mean, Theo is a grown-assed man.
He’s been on his own a long time. I’m sure he can take care of himself.
But I want to hold on to him tight and let him know he isn’t alone anymore. ”
“It’s not crazy. I’m having similar thoughts myself. My alpha instincts are kicking in.”
“If those are alpha instincts, how do you explain my having them? I’m not an alpha.”
“Silly man, don’t you realize betas are a curious mix of alpha and omega characteristics? Sometimes I think betas are the best of both their alpha and omega sides. You are far more balanced than alphas and omegas.”
“I never thought about it that way.”
“Well, start thinking that way now, because I love who you are. There isn’t a single thing about you I’d change, Dalton. Now where should we take Theo on a date?”
“Ugh, not the Hillbilly Diner. I can only imagine how much teasing I’ll get from Jace now that he knows we’re back together.
Oh! What about miniature golf? A new place opened up last month.
I’ve heard great things about the obstacles and the overall look of the place.
They don’t serve food, but they have some kind of deal worked out with the local food trucks because they rotate there on a regular basis.
There’s an app to download to find out when to expect your favorite food truck. ”
“Sounds perfect. Some of the best food I’ve had has come from food trucks. We’ll download the app and see if Theo has any preferences.”
“I’m starving,” Dalton admitted, rubbing his stomach. “Unpacking works up an appetite.”
“We’ll feed you,” I promised.
We found Theo in the kitchen, staring into the open refrigerator. He looked… lost.
“Hey,” I said, stepping up behind him. “We were thinking about a date. Mini golf and food trucks? Dalton’s starving.”
“I… yeah. Sure.” He closed the fridge door a little too hard. “I’m surprisingly not hungry. I usually am after… you know. But the thought of food right now…” He swallowed hard. “Anyway. Golf sounds fun.”
I frowned. “You sure you’re okay? You need to replenish your energy.”
“I’m fine,” Theo insisted, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Just heat lag, I guess. Let’s go hit some balls.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Dalton said, though he shot me a worried glance. He stood, looking around the room like he was making sure he had everything. When he looked at me, his smile lit up his face. “Come on, alpha. I’m excited to start this new phase of our lives.”