8. Avery
Avery
T he pretty emerald green and gold business card had haunted me for days. The beta I met had seemed so sweet and gave me space, but I hadn’t been brave enough to message him yet.
I knew the scent-matches I thought I had were fakes, but there was a part of me that was afraid this would turn into a mess, too.
Could I have been wrong because of the amazing herby scent of his shop? Did it make his scent seem so much better?
“Ugh, I need coffee to deal with this,” I groaned, not thinking too hard about the fact I was talking to myself. Right then, I just needed to clear my head.
I tucked the card back into my pocket where it had lived, being transferred each night and morning like some sort of fucked up ritual. It wasn’t like I needed to cling to it, I was clearly just losing my damn mind.
Mama was still asleep for once so I took the truck again. I’d grab her a green tea to thank her for letting me use it.
I parked at the start of the business district and chose to walk the rest of the way. It was fresh air and coffee I needed and driving right up to the front door wasn’t going to give me that.
The coffee shop wasn’t busy so I stepped behind the only two people in line. It was a nice change from the long lines and rude people that frequented the shop near my old apartment.
As one person stepped away and the line moved forward, someone stepped up behind me. I tensed all at once as the scent of sweet citrus and rosemary hit me. There were hints of sage and other herbs mixed in and I knew exactly who it was.
I guess fate was done with me going back and forth with this business card in my pocket. Before I could turn around to face him, the man in front of me moved away.
“Can I help you?” the young barista asked, her cheery tone startling me at first. I gave an apologetic smile.
“Sorry, I got distracted,” I laughed, but it sounded off. Nothing like winning over the town by sounding deranged. “I’ll take a medium green tea with honey and lemon, then I’ll have a medium iced mocha latte, please. Also, whatever he is having.”
I stepped aside to reveal a stunned beta behind me. He blinked at me, just as startled at my boldness as I was but I just gave him a smile.
“Can I buy your coffee?”
“Uh… sure?” he asked more than answered. The barista bit back a laugh but forged ahead.
“What can I make for you, sir?”
“I’ll take the same latte she got,” he said quickly.
“Do you even know what I ordered?” I asked. His nervousness was making me feel better about my own now.
“Mocha latte sounds nice,” he countered, his smile going from nervous to devastatingly handsome in seconds.
The barista gave me our total quickly before ushering us over to the pickup side of the counter. Once she left us alone all I could do was flicker an apologetic glance at Cohen.
I pulled out the card to show I still had it. “I’ve been working up the courage to message.”
He grinned. “I’m a patient man, Avery.”
“Do you have time to drink coffee and chat, or do you need to run?”
It was his turn to look sorry. His smile dropped and a frown took over.
“Maybe another time? I open in five minutes,” he admitted. “You’re welcome to come with me if you want to chat, though?”
“No, I don’t want to intrude. Here.” I finally sent the poor beta a text. He’d waited on me long enough. “There, finally texted.”
The barista called my name and slid our drinks over. I passed Cohen his and grabbed mine and Mama’s.
“I’m going to run this home to my mama before it’s cold, but send me a text when you’re done with opening duties,” I said, giving him one last smile and hurrying out before I could embarrass myself further.
Surprisingly, I didn’t feel the sting of rejection. I knew he had obligations and he offered for me to join him. Everything Cohen did seemed to put me at ease and let me keep control. Maybe he sensed I needed it, or maybe I just wasn’t used to green flags.
I was halfway home when my phone dinged with a new notification. A smile spread across my face but these winding roads required my full attention. The moment I parked, I picked it up and read the new message.
Cohen: Texting back so our first messages are out of the way. Hope you’re having a good morning, Avery.
Avery: It’s a great morning now that I’m not overthinking things.
I tucked my phone away and rushed inside. Mama was dancing around the kitchen, spatula in hand. My grin grew as I watched her shake and shimmy her way around.
“I feel you watching me,” she shot over her shoulder before rushing forward and taking the to-go cup I was holding out. “Thanks, my girl.”
“You’re welcome, Mama,” I said as I took a seat at the counter and pulled my phone back out, new messages already lighting up the screen.
Cohen: Is it silly that I have that giddy feeling like a teenager having his first crush?
Cohen: Not that I’m mad about it. It’s a welcome change.
Cohen: Did you just move into town?
Avery: Sorry, had to hand off my mom’s tea. I’m back in town, not new. I grew up here in Rockwood Valley. You know the Whitaker brothers that run Whitaker Brews?
Cohen: Of course.
Avery: They’re my brothers, it’s our family business.
Cohen: Oh wow, that’s unexpected.
Avery: I tried to outrun small town life and it backfired. Should have never left.
Cohen: I’m sensing a story there. Don’t feel like you have to share that yet, though.
Avery: There is, but that will be a long, awful conversation for later. Right now I want to focus on the positives.
Cohen: Fair enough. What are your plans now that you’re back home?
Avery: Well, I’m taking over the social media and marketing for the family business.
Avery: I also pitched the same thing to Mayor Adams to shine a spotlight on local businesses. I just have to find someone willing to let me hang out with them, interview them, and post videos with them in it.
Cohen: Being in the spotlight isn’t my favorite, but I wouldn’t say no if you chose Cohen’s Creations. It would give me a chance to get to know you and the extra marketing couldn’t hurt.
Cohen: I’ll pay whatever the fee is, of course.
Cohen: No pressure. I’m not trying to be pushy, just helpful.
Avery: Wait, really? That would be great. Your shop is exactly the kind we want to showcase.
Avery: It’s no fee, I’m trying to impress the town council and land a job, so you’ll just have to deal with me annoyingly hanging around and asking you a million questions on camera.
Cohen: Sounds perfect. I’m free every day, come down whenever.
Avery: See you later today, then!
“Okay, you better tell me what that smile is about.” I was so lost in my conversation with Cohen that I forgot where I was and who was with me.
When I glanced up her gaze was zeroed in me like a lion finding his prey.
Shit.
“Uh,” I started. “Just landed an interview prospect for the council.”
“That’s amazing,” she said, going from suspicious to happy in seconds. She turned to flip her pancakes and I took that as my chance to escape unscathed. I made it to the stairs before her voice was drifting after me.
“If you think I didn’t notice that evasive maneuver, then you’ve lost your mind. I expect details later!”
“Fine!” I yelled back, shaking my head at her ridiculous behavior. God, I missed her.
For once, I refused to let the guilt creep back up. I was back now and that was all that mattered. She wasn’t holding it against me and they were all just glad I’d escaped the hell my exes were setting me up for.
My room was a sea of boxes still. Part of me didn’t want to unpack. I needed to find a place of my own, somewhere I could be independent and make decisions, one where I didn’t feel like the dumb, sheltered omega, or the little sister and baby of the family who needed to be protected.
I’d let people take care of me for far too long. I loved that they wanted me to be safe and watch over me, but I needed to convince myself that I could also stand on my own two feet.
I shuffled through several boxes before managing to find a decent, but casual outfit. The last thing I wanted was to show up to Cohen’s shop completely under or over dressed.
Just the thought of the beta had heat flooding my face. He was right about the giddiness that hit me every time I thought of him.
Did I have anything like this with Brad and Travis?
They had seemed so charming at first. That mixed with the scent that hit me was enough to convince me to go on a first date. Our relationship escalated quickly, resulting in years of lies.
My stomach churned as I realized the gravity of it all. They’d used my own biology against me.
How could I trust my own instincts again?
Yet, the idea of going to spend the day with Cohen didn’t have me ready to run away. A part of me trusted him. Maybe it was because we met randomly in his shop, not a set up at an after-work happy hour.
It could be the fact he was a beta. Would I be more hesitant with an alpha? I hoped not, I didn’t want to struggle even more with trust than I already was. It felt like that would be another thing my exes stole from me.
Maybe a visit to the clinic would help. The reassurance of up to date birth control that I chose, not them, and suppressants to avoid heat might make me feel better.
I got notification that my prescription was canceled, meaning my exes made sure I would have to suffer without them or find an alternative.
Assholes.
I couldn’t imagine Cohen doing the same thing to me. He was sweet and caring, not overbearing.
My family never approved of Travis or Brad. Would they feel differently about Cohen?
At some point I knew he’d have to pass the brother acceptance check, and fuck I was nervous for that.
I had to force my thoughts away before I sent myself into a panic, focusing instead on setting up an online appointment with the Omega Network Clinic and packing up my work bag.
I didn’t have the fancy lights that I did at my old job, but I did have a tripod and ring light that would work in a pinch. This was the trial run and editing went a long way in making videos look better.
We were both going to be nervous and stumbling, but this was the perfect opportunity to truly get to know him without the focus being on us.
From his shyness and my hang-ups, it might be the only way we managed this awkward meeting. I couldn’t imagine going on a first date in our current state. The awkward silences would stretch on and I’d be fumbling for words.
I was quickly realizing that I needed to be friends first now, to know their character before I could trust them.
That would be the only way I could find a pack now.
With that unpleasant thought, I slung my backpack over my shoulder. I’d barely made it to the front door when I heard a throat clear behind me.
I winced and turned around slowly to face my three brothers, staring me down with arms crossed.
“Care to tell us where you’re going? Mama said you were smiling at your phone,” Cameron accused. “If you’re going back to those assholes I’m going to lose my shit, Avery.”
“I’m not,” I said, shocked at the venom in his voice. My chest ached and my eyes burned at the way they were staring at me. “Is this how you see me now? A stupid omega who can’t possibly take care of herself? Who would knowingly go back to men who used her?”
“What? Av, no,” Nash protested, his eyes shining with their collective guilt.
“I was lied to, coerced. Why would I ever go back to that?” I shook my head, letting my disappointment be known. “I got a lead on an interview for Mayor Adams. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a job to find and maybe a fucking apartment.”
My voice broke as I finished speaking and I stormed out the door, letting it slam closed behind me.
Is this how everyone would see me now? The pathetic omega who let herself get used and tossed aside?
Fuck that. I’d show them all just how strong I was. Travis and Brad didn’t break me, and this wouldn’t either.