29. Luca
TWENTY-NINE
Luca
It’s been a few days since Adler’s big win, and life has returned to normal. Well, as normal as it can be with an omega now living under our roof.
Sabs has breathed a whole new life into our home, from the sandy sneakers she leaves lying around to the sight of her working out in our home gym, determined to beat Adler’s best running time. Then there’s the way she sings at the top of her lungs as soon as she wakes up, just to annoy Orin.
She’s a total ball of sunshine and energy, and I can’t wait to get more one-on-one time with her. Starting today. Now that she and Adler can be apart longer distances, I planned for us to go on a hike for our first date.
I double-check my hiking pack and the one I bought for Sabs. Despite her having a larger wardrobe than anyone I’ve ever met, she’s definitely lacking any practical supplies. Although she insisted that the five-inch heels in her closet were an absolute necessity.
Food… Snacks… Blankets…
I’m planning to take her to one of the secluded spots up in the mountains close to campus.
“Ready to go?” Sabs’s peppy voice floats toward me as she bounces down the stairs.
She’s wearing tiny biker shorts that show off her toned physique.
It’s already been hard not to check out her ass every time she does deadlifts, but these itsy-bitsy shorts make it impossible.
She also has on a matching lilac crop top.
It leaves nothing to the imagination, hugging every inch of her gorgeous curves, making me remember exactly how good she looked out of the stretchy fabric when I shared her with Adler.
It’s an experience I haven’t been able to stop reliving.
“Uh…” I clear my throat and tear my eyes back to our backpacks, running through my emergency supply mental checklist: first-aid kit, compass, and multi-tool. “Yep, should be.”
“You better have sunscreen.” Orin appears out of nowhere, leaning against the wall in the hallway as he warily eyes Sabs’s freckled skin.
“I’m already layered up.” She pops on her leopard print baseball cap, pulling her ponytail through the hole in the back. “See? Good to go.”
“Most of the walk will be under cover,” I tell him.
Adler hovers at the top of the stairs. “And you’ll be back by sundown?”
“What’s wrong, Ace?” Sabs twists a curl from her swishing hair around her finger. “Missing me already?”
“Maybe.” He chuckles. “But Drax and I have plans today, so I’ll manage.”
“You do?” Sabs and I ask in unison.
Yeah, I’ve been hanging out more with Drax lately, but I haven’t seen the two of them together.
“Laz invited us over for a guys-only barbecue,” Drax explains, wearing only sweatpants as he pads in from the kitchen, a half-eaten protein bar in hand. “The Valen Pack will be there too.”
“That sounds fun.” I reply as I zip up our bags.
“Do you want to join them?” Sabs rocks on her heels. “I don’t want you to miss out on fun with the guys because of me.”
“Hell no!” I thrust her backpack into her hands. “Spending the day outdoors with you sounds like the perfect day to me.”
She beams. “I’m sure there will be plenty of other bro’s only events.” She glances at Orin. “Aren’t you going?”
“I have to work.” He shrugs. “But I may drop by after.”
Although he still works a lot, since Sabs moved in, Orin’s been around more than usual.
“Have fun, firecracker!” Adler crashes down the stairs, kissing her on the mouth with effortless ease and confidence that sends a small pang of jealousy through me.
It must be so nice to have the security of the bond that they do.
There’s an easiness to how he is around her.
While I have to guess how she’s feeling, he already knows.
“I hope you can keep up with Luca’s pace. ” He winks at her.
“We’ll take it slow.” I hoist my backpack over my shoulders. “Only taking the gentle incline trails.”
“Oh, come on! Don’t hold out on me, Luca!” Sabs stomps her foot indignantly. “You know I’m down for an adventure and a challenge.”
Drax raises a hand, somewhat awkwardly before slowly backpedaling out of the room. “I guess I’ll see you later.”
Sabs throws herself at him, almost knocking him off-balance. She wraps her arms around his neck and gives him a loud, smacking kiss that makes his cheeks flush. “I’m putting you in charge of making sure that Laz doesn’t kill Addy.”
“A few weeks ago, I would’ve been quite happy to see that happen,” Drax mumbles though he’s smiling.
“Make sure you have your bear spray close,” Orin tells her.
“If I can live with you, I’m sure I can handle a few bears,” she jokes back.
“Don’t worry.” I pat the side of the backpack pocket where the spray is kept to appease his worries. “We’re all set.”
“Almost,” Sabs corrects, pulling a lip gloss out of her bra then sliding it in next to the spray. “Now we’re all set.”
“Is lip gloss really essential?” Orin quizzes.
“These lips need serious hydration after all the kissing action they’ve been seeing lately.” She rubs her lips together, turning to face me. “Now let’s get out of here before Orin tries to bundle me in Bubble Wrap.”
After bidding our goodbyes, we drive up to the base of Mount Alpine, parking near the secluded trail opening.
Sabs charges off as soon as we’re parked, keen to gain elevation fast. We stop occasionally while I point out various trees or plants, but mainly, we soak in the natural beauty.
It’s so still and picturesque, the sky perfectly blue with a smattering of fluffy clouds that look like something from a movie.
This is my happy place. With the rustling trees above us protecting us from the heat of the sun, the smell of pine combining with Sabs’s addictive scent, and the idyllic sound of birds chirping, what could possibly be better?
Sabs pauses to look around wistfully when we reach a spot that gives us a stunning view of the sprawling landscape below. “It’s so beautiful.”
“Which way would you like to go?” I gesture at a fork in the path. “One is a gentler walk, the other—”
“The harder one,” Sabs interrupts. “I want to get my blood pumping!”
The ground gets pretty steep as we continue, but it’s not a long trail, and her sneakers are sturdy enough to get a strong grip on the rocky terrain.
She keeps a steady pace, not even breaking a sweat as we climb higher.
I use the excuse of wanting to help her jump over a small stream that cuts across the path so I can hold her hand.
“Let me adjust my backpack,” I say, reluctantly having to drop her hand.
I slow a little, adjusting my weight to my left side as the strap of my pack digs into my now-aching shoulder muscle from carrying more supplies than usual.
I brought extra supplies to be on the safe side.
Although I keep up with my physical therapy and exercise, random pains and pulls can hit at any time.
Sabs overtakes me, reaching the top of a steep hill before me. An adorable frown tugs at her lips as she notices I’m taking a little longer.
“Why don’t we stop for a break, Luca?” I drop down onto a boulder, relieved by her suggestion. She takes out her canteen, offering me a sip first. “We can take it slower, or I can carry more? I’m only racing up because I’m just too excited to get to the lake after everything you told me.”
“I’ll be fine after a break.” I groan as I shed the heavy load, massaging my shoulders and rolling them before I pull out a box of homemade trail mix for her to eat. Naturally, she starts to pick out all the chocolate chips, eating those first. “The nuts will give you more energy.”
“Yet the chocolate will melt in the sun,” she points out. “I’m basically doing you a favor.”
“Good point,” I chuckle as she pops another handful into her mouth.
“I can see why you love it out here.” She wipes her mouth with the back of her hand after taking a sip of water.
“It makes you feel so…” She tips her head back, closing her eyes.
The sun hits her face through the trees, highlighting the healthy glow of her skin and the golden hint to her brown eyelashes. “Alive.”
“I sometimes come out here for days,” I explain as I do my stretches. “Just me and the forest. It helps clear my head.”
“Maybe we’ll have to go on a camping trip,” she suggests. “A pack vacation!”
“I’m pretty sure you’re the only one who’d be excited about that idea.” I snort. “Adler likes his luxuries and running water, and Orin hates bugs, especially mosquitoes, but don’t tell him I told you that.”
“So you’d have to share a tent with me.” She arches an eyebrow. “Get all cozied up in a sleeping bag under the stars and take advantage of a lone omega in the wilderness.”
My mind conjures images of us, wrapped up naked in a sleeping bag with a fire burning outside the tent. “I-I—”
Her mouth breaks into a grin. “I’d be happy for you to take advantage of me, Luca.” Then she winks. “Anytime.”
With the blood now rushing to my groin, I promptly cover my lap with my pack, so she doesn’t think I’m a total horn dog. She notices the trail map poking out of the side, so she starts leafing through, noticing that I’ve scribbled down notes.
“You’ve walked all of this?” she asks while chomping on more trail mix.
“Uh-huh.” I point at an area of the mountains. “But I’ve still got all these trails to explore too.”
“Looks like plenty to keep us busy.”
After doing more exercises and demolishing the trail mix, my shoulder is feeling much better.
Seeing how interested she was looking through my maps has only given me more motivation to keep going.
I never thought I’d find someone who shared my love of the outdoors, but it seems I’ve found a travel companion.
As much as I adore finding new places, it’ll be even better to have her to share those experiences with.
Sabs stands to dust herself off and offers me a hand. “Are you ready?”
I accept her hand, and we head off again after Sabs insists that she carry my canteen as well as her own. I note that she slows her pace a little, pausing to ask if I’m okay every so often.