Chapter 2
Walker Jones strolled behind his buddies as they headed down to the beach. They laughed with an almost manic energy that Walker felt thrumming in his own veins. Tomorrow afternoon, they were all due back on base to check in for their next deployment.
This would be Walker’s third deployment. He loved being a marine, but he had started to hate the days leading up to leaving. Some of his buddies were married and spent that time with their families. Some were close to their parents and siblings, and saying goodbye to them was always hard.
Walker had no one. It should have made things easier, but knowing that there was literally no family to notify if he died gutted him.
“Jones, hurry up,” Pug yelled over his shoulder. Walker’s friend was at the front of the group. He was a good guy, even if he was a manwhore.
The men reached the beach, and Walker took a minute to enjoy the sunset over the waves. The spring night air cooled rapidly, and people gathered at the large bonfire like moths to a flame.
One man in a teal shirt stood alone toward the back of the group, drawing Walker’s attention. He moved closer, and the cool breeze carried the whiff of omega. The man was short with black hair and dusky skin.
Dark eyes met his, and Walker froze in place, energy buzzing through him. Those eyes fucking saw him.
“Jones,” Pug yelled, dragging a giggling man and woman toward him. “Look, twins! One for me and one for you.”
The omega rolled his eyes and moved further into the group.
Walker glared at his friend. “Damn it, Pug.”
Pug shrugged. “What did I do?”
“You exist,” Walker said, scowling at his friend before following the omega.
He was partially aware of Pug turning with a shrug to the man and woman. “Oh, well. How do you two feel about a threesome?”
Walker pushed through the crowd, eyes searching for the omega.
He did't understand why it mattered so much or what exactly was drawing him in, but something about the man's eyes felt magnetic—like they offered a connection he didn’t realize he was yearning for.
A bright stripe of teal caught his eye, guiding him forward.e.
The omega tried to move closer to the fire, but a large alpha blocked his way, eyes looking the omega up and down.
“You need an alpha to fill your hole, omega?” The alpha asked.
Walker winced. That is the shittiest pickup line I’ve ever heard.
The omega glared. “No, thanks.”
“Come on,” the alpha said, voice low. “You know you want it.” He grabbed the omega’s shoulder and tried to pull him closer.
Walker growled, rushing forward.
Before he could do anything, the omega snorted, then kneed the alpha in the balls. “Don’t just grab people, Alphahole.”
The man went down fast, clutching his crotch.
Walker laughed, and the omega looked over his shoulder.
“I guess you don’t need any help?” Walker asked.
The man cocked his head. “Aren’t you busy with the twins?”
Walker grinned and moved to stand beside him, nudging the alpha curled up on the ground. “That’s not my style. Nice moves you have there.”
“My brother gave me some lessons.” His dark eyes reflected the flames from the bonfire. “I’m Fernando.”
“I’m Walker.” Walker nodded toward the waves. “Wanna get out of here?”
Fernando made a face. “It’s cold, and I’m not walking in the dark with a stranger.”
Walker laughed. “Okay, can’t blame you for being smart.” He waved to a few chairs closer to the hotel. “How about there?”
Fernando nodded. “I can scream really loud. Someone should hear me if you try anything.”
Walker shook his head and hid his grin. He should probably feel insulted, but the man was adorable. Is it strange that I find his suspicious behavior a sign of intelligence?
They walked together to the lounge chairs and sat. The crowd around the fire was getting larger, and someone started playing music.
“Are you on spring break too?” Fernando asked, brow raised as he looked Walker up and down.
“No.” Walker laughed gruffly. “No money for college after high school.”
“There’s scholarships and financial aid,” Fernando said.
Walker smiled. He sounded so concerned. Walker wanted to rub away the little furrow between the omega’s brows. “Didn’t know anything about that. Our school counselor was shit.”
Fernando nodded, looking so serious. “Mine was really good, but I’ve heard some horror stories from my friends. What do you do?”
“I’m a marine – a combat engineer.” Walker smiled. “It’s hard work, but I love it.”
“My brother was in the Navy,” Fernando said. “He says the same thing about it. How long have you been in?”
“Seven years,” Walker said. “I joined up right after high school. What about you? I take it you’re here on spring break?”
Fernando sighed and propped his chin on his fist. “Yeah. It’s my last semester of school, so I need to find a job. My friends dragged me with them since this is our last spring break.”
“Major?”
“Education,” Fernando smirked. “Middle school.”
Walker winced and leaned back in his chair. “I don’t envy you.”
“That’s what everyone keeps telling me.” Fernando laughed.
“We’re pretty different, huh?”
Fernando gave him a small smile. “Yeah. I’ve seen that look in my brother’s eyes a time or two. When do you deploy?”
“We check in tomorrow.” Walker looked up at the sky. “I’m not worried about it.”
“You’re worried about something.” Fernando smacked Walker’s stomach. “Tell me. It’s not like we’ll ever see each other again.”
Walker didn’t like that thought. He’s right, though, so why not? “Here’s the thing. I don’t have anyone. I grew up in foster care and bounced around to several different families. It wasn’t bad, just lonely. The only people I have are a few friends, and they have their own shit to worry about.”
Fernando turned on his side and watched Walker. “No one worries about you?”
“Nope. That’s a good thing, right?” Walker thought he should say something like that. “Normally, it doesn’t bother me. But nights like tonight, right before we deploy…” he trailed off.
Fernando shook his head. “I think it’s human nature to need someone to care for us.
My parents died a few years ago, and it was devastating.
I had my siblings, but it’s not the same.
Suddenly, I wasn’t someone’s son anymore.
Someone’s priority. I can’t imagine having no one at all.
Maybe some would think of it as freeing, but I can’t.
Not after having a family and losing some of them. ”
Walker hated the sadness in the omega’s voice. It made something hurt inside him. There was more than sadness there, too. Walker recognized pain when he saw it.
This isn’t how I thought the night would go, he thought with a snort.
Despite that, he wanted to comfort Fernando.
He wanted to tell him more about his own loneliness and the fear he felt, but tried to hide.
At that singular moment, there was nowhere he’d rather be than sitting across from this man and his dark, all-knowing eyes.
“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked, voice coming out huskier than he intended. “Your parents?”