Chapter 11
CHAPTER
ELEVEN
ARBOR
“Boss,” Glenn says after work two days later. That name makes me wince, but at least he’s looking at me now. I feel each meeting of our eyes deep inside me. He’s not setting me on my desk and kissing me, not calling me his omega, but he isn’t ignoring me either.
I shouldn’t care, but I do.
I fought it, and I lost.
“Everything okay?” I ask, adjusting my glasses as I peer up at him from my desk.
“Yeah. Finishing up. Guys and I are going out for drinks. Wanted to invite you.”
I blink, staring at him. They haven’t invited me to something like this. I’ve always kept my boundaries clear and strong. I don’t fraternize with my employees.
But then again, I also don’t let the site supervisor fuck me either. And yet, I let Glenn bend me over my desk. Literally.
“Are you sure you want me there?” I ask, shifting in my seat.
“The guys are the ones who suggested it.”
I bob my head and feel something inside me twist. “Um, well, I don’t usually, but all right. Send me the address. I’ll be there.”
Something slides across his face, and I worry he didn’t want me to accept. An excuse not to go sits on the tip of my tongue, but I bite it back.
I’m going to go. I’m going to try new things.
Put myself out there.
My phone pings, and I see an address and a time. I plug it into my phone and see that it’s a small bar and restaurant in Wolverston. I pull up the menu and see that it has all the comfort food that you’d want on a night after work.
Crescent Moon Chili, Blue Beta Burger, and Fire Fang Nachos. Not to mention the drinks. My eyes wander down the list, and I see a pink Dusk Daiquiri. I wet my lips, my stomach rumbling.
If anything, at least I’ll have good food and drinks.
I close my computer, listening to the cars and trucks pull out of the lot. When I’m done, I slip everything into my briefcase and head out.
Glenn is there, sitting in his truck, waiting as he always does.
As I step out of the trailer, I see the security guard pull up.
I should introduce myself. I don’t really want to, but obligation has me stepping toward the security car.
The windows are tinted, and I squint my eyes, trying to see inside.
I wave slightly to get their attention, and after a long pause, the window finally rolls down.
A blank face greets me, and my brows meet as I try to get a sense of the person behind the wheel. It’s not entirely important, but I usually like to get a feel for people. However, I can’t seem to get a read on this person.
“Hello. I’m Mr. Wren, the superintendent on this project. Thank you for coming.”
The man meets my stare. He’s so ordinary-looking it’s almost hard to pinpoint what he looks like. Dark hair, dark eyes, uniform shirt buttoned up to his neck.
Glenn appears at my side and holds out his hand.
“Glenn. Supervisor on site. Nice to meet you.”
The security guard nods and tentatively reaches out to place his hand in Glenn’s. “Thank you. I’ll keep a good watch on this place. Circle back every hour or so.”
The way his voice sounds has the hair on the back of my neck standing up, but I can’t quite understand why.
He seems harmless. Completely bland. I’m just nervous because Glenn is standing next to me, I’m sure of it.
Glenn sniffs, and his lips thin, almost like he senses something.
“I’ve seen people lurking in the woods at times,” Glenn says, and my eyebrows rise. “Just keep an eye out.”
“I will,” the guard says.
“All right. Well, we should get going,” Glenn says, and we watch as the security guard rolls up his window without a goodbye and drives off.
Glenn cocks his head and murmurs something under his breath.
“What?”
“Nothing. I’m sure the company vetted security companies, but he didn’t have a scent.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yeah, fucking weird.”
“He was a little strange,” I say, and Glenn peers over at me.
“Guess we’re all a little weird. In our own way.”
He doesn’t need to tell me that twice. I know I’m strange to most people who meet me.
“Why didn’t you tell me about the other times you saw people lurking in the woods? I thought it was just the once.”
“Just figured they were lingering protestors still pissed over the sacred land stuff, or maybe it was all a figment of my imagination. I honestly don’t know what I saw.”
I huff, and he shrugs. “Doesn’t matter. Now we have security to worry about it.
Follow me?” Glenn asks, and I nod, watching his ass as he walks to his truck.
I slip behind the wheel of my car and watch as he puts his truck in reverse and pulls out.
I follow him, the GPS navigating on my phone in case he speeds off.
But he doesn’t. He drives slowly, putting his signal on each time he turns. Always so fucking considerate.
By the time we pull into the paved parking lot, The Tipsy Mule’s front door right in front of me, my stomach is growling loudly. I’ve been better at eating, but I still don’t do as well as I should.
I quickly shut off the engine and hop out, taking in the scenery. Well, there’s not much to be seen besides the rickety old building I’m about to go into, and then Pit Stop across the street. Looks like a bar of some sort.
Since being on the job, I’ve heard whispers of that place. My neck cranes a little further to get a better look, but then snaps forward when Glenn calls my name.
I walk quickly toward him, stepping into the Tipsy Mule’s dim interior. It’s older, with creaky floorboards, old photos on the wall, and some old country music playing on the speakers.
Apparently, the old interior isn’t indicative of their food. It has great ratings online.
Glenn leads me to a long table full of the men from the site. They offer me small waves, a few already drinking beers poured from big pitchers on the table.
Glenn points to a seat and then takes one opposite me. Part of me wants to slide into the one next to him, but I don’t. I just sit next to Fisher, who is already finishing beer number one.
“Hey, Mr. Wren. Glad you could make it,” he says with a small burp.
I bob my head. “Um, thanks for the invite.”
“Sure. Want to get to know the guy who actually does his job, you know? The other superintendent was a real loser.”
The guys slap their hands on the table, agreeing with him. I feel my cheeks flush, specifically because Glenn is watching me intently.
“Well, it’s easy to do,” I say, and Fisher nudges me gently. I’m the only omega at this table, but for some reason, I feel safe.
That is, until heads turn, and I see Leona appear. Fuck. What’s she doing here? I figured I’d only ever see her at the job site inspecting houses. But no, here she is, looking as pretty as ever.
She takes that seat next to Glenn and then makes things worse by scooting even closer. I hear her voice when she says, “Thanks for inviting me, big guy.”
My jaw clicks, and my hands fold into fists on my lap. I feel my appetite begin to vanish despite my stomach continuing to growl.
“Looks like you boys had a long day!” Leona says loudly and grins at me. I don’t smile back. “Next pitchers are on me.”
It makes everyone smile happily, each of them pouring copious amounts of beer into their glasses, Leona joining in.
I feel like I should as well. Be one of the guys. But I’m not. I’m different. Always have been.
And I don’t like beer. I prefer wine and sweet cocktails.
I push out of my seat, and Leona winks at me. “Where you going, handsome?”
I hold back an aggressive eye roll and manage a smile instead. “The bar.”
And then, without a backward glance, I head exactly where I said I was going. If I’m going to get through tonight, I’m going to need a heavy, very strong pour.
I push my way through a few people crowding my intended target, but they huff and move out of the way. When I finally sidle up to the bar top, I let out a long sigh.
“Long day?” a low voice says next to me.
I turn my gaze to a large man standing next to me. He grins, showing off slightly crooked teeth and pink apple cheeks. Not intimidating in the least. More like a giant teddy bear.
“Yeah. Long fucking life.”
He lets out a booming laugh, causing heads to turn.
“Name’s Tater. What’s yours?” He holds out a thick hand, and I put mine inside it.
“Arbor.”
He gives it a hearty shake and then lets go. “Nice to meet you, man.”
“Nice to meet you, too. Interesting nickname. Where did it come from?”
“Um, that’s my name. Mom said I looked like a potato when I was born. Called me Tater ever since.”
I blink at him, and those pink cheeks darken. “Guess not much has changed,” he says, slightly abashed.
I shake my head, turning my gaze to all the bottles lining the shelves behind the bar.
“No, you don’t look like a potato, Tater. You look like a nice ear of corn.”
That makes him laugh again, heads once more turning, and I find myself giggling. I think I’d much rather spend my time with this large beast of a man than watch Leona flirt with Glenn all night.
I’d rather gouge out my eyeballs, in fact.
Finally, the bartender makes his way up to me, and I place my order for the daiquiri I spotted on the online menu.
“Make it a heavy pour, please.”
He nods and begins making it with a flick of his wrist and a twist of his palm. Before I know it, I’ve opened a tab and am sipping on the strawberry sensation, feeling the alcohol hit my system almost instantly.
“He gave you the good stuff,” Tater says as I gulp my drink.
“He did?”
“Yep. Saw it. Must think you’re cute.” He leans in and winks at me. “And you smell good, too.”
That makes my head spin. “You really think that?”
“Yep. Smell like marshmallows.”
I let out a small giggle. “Well, thanks, Tater. You made my night.”
“You’re welcome. Let me know if you fancy a dance later.”
I salute him with my glass and turn to walk back to the table, which is growing more rowdy by the minute.
Leona and Glenn are grinning at each other, her arm around his shoulders, like old pals.
Or lovers.
I don’t like that thought. My hand clenches the glass, and I aggressively sip the drink.