Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Sage
It turns out I’m quite good at sneaking around.
Steve and Josh are used to me hiding away unless they yell for me—or if it’s meal time—so they don’t think to watch my movements.
I’m able to sneak into their office easily enough that night when they’re out, and Josh has two tickets sitting on his desk for this weekend.
I memorize the details, noting the time, date, and team names, then I mutter them under my breath as I hurry back to my room to tell Brooks.
My heart flutters like a hummingbird in my chest.
I found two tickets for Detroit Tigers on Saturday. They do everything together so I am sure both will go
Tomorrow? Do you want to escape for a couple hours?
My lips twitch up and I bite at them to quell it. I have no hesitation about the answer to that one.
Yes please
Brave girl. I’ll be ready to pick you up in my work truck as soon as they leave.
I don’t know if or when I’ll get another chance to go on a date, to escape this house for more than my twenty minute walks, so I take the leap and agree.
Having something to look forward to is a new experience for me.
I feel lighter, but also more anxious. Giddy and scared at the same time, because to have the hope of this tiny good thing in my life, only for it to disappear or be snatched away or have been a trick of some kind… I don’t know if I’d survive it.
I’m starting to trust Brooks, though.
He’s been where he said he would every day this week, texting me the street he’ll be on in the morning so I can walk by them.
And he’s consistently brought me thoughtful gifts.
My omega is a happy, humming ball in my chest, but the rest of me feels wildly out of control with this change to my routine.
I try to act normal, to hold it all in and contain my optimistic nervousness over the next twenty-four hours.
Brooks said he will have everything planned, and he’s reassured me multiple times that I’ll be back with time to spare so Steve and Josh don’t suspect anything, but it’s still nerve wracking.
“We’re leaving for a couple hours this afternoon,” Steve informs me during breakfast the next morning.
I nod, eyes on my hands as I serve him a helping of scrambled eggs and hash browns.
He picks up his fork to dig in, and I move to the other side of the table to serve Josh.
“Don’t miss us too much,” he says, then pinches my behind while I spoon eggs onto his plate. I hold in my flinch and clench my hand on the utensil.
“When should I have dinner ready?”
“Nah, we’ll be home late. You can have whatever leftovers are in the fridge,” Josh replies, leaning forward to start eating.
He knows perfectly well there are no leftovers in the fridge. That’s the only downside to them being gone. If they’re not here to eat, it often means I don’t get anything unless I can manage to sneak it without them noticing.
I pinch my lips shut and wait for them to give me permission to eat breakfast, either with them or alone.
“Sit,” Steve says, glancing at me. He passes me an apple from the bowl, then jerks his chin at the platter I was serving from. “Have some eggs too, good for you.”
So I guess that’s my meal for today. Apple and eggs.
Maybe whatever Brooks has planned will involve food.
They are getting ready to leave
I’m around the corner, just tell me when
I chew on my lip as I wait. They’re currently “pre-gaming” whatever that means. It seems to involve yelling, laughing, and drinking. I’m pretending to dust in the living area when they finally stomp toward the door to the garage.
“Be good, omega,” Josh yells, not knowing or caring where I am in the house.
I step out from the living area, holding the dust rag in one hand and my eyes fixed to the floor.
“Yes, alpha.”
He eyes me up and down, and I can practically feel the sneer he’s aiming my direction. I don’t understand why they keep me if they both hate me so much. They stomp through the door into the garage without further comment, Steve’s obnoxious truck roaring as he peels out of the driveway.
They are gone
I just pulled up. I’m in the white work truck.
I slip on my shoes, my heart in my throat as my eyes dart around.
Half of me is sure Josh and Steve somehow found out about my plan, and they’ll jump out at any moment to lock me in the nest again.
I force myself to open the door, then realize I don’t have a key.
I look around, unsure what to do, but ultimately decide that I don’t care if someone breaks in.
So I leave the door unlocked, hug my arms around my middle, and hurry out to Brooks’ truck.
He opens the passenger door for me, then strides around to his side and hops in.
Before I know it, we’re driving out of the neighborhood.
I can’t remember the last time I was this far from the house.
It’s strange—surreal—to be in a truck with this alpha I barely know, heading to an unknown location, and yet my muscles are relaxing.
Brooks pulls over into a parking lot a few minutes later, and I look around, confused. Is this where our date is? A strip mall on the side of the highway?
“Sage,” he says.
I turn to face him, noticing he’s shifted in his seat so he’s angled toward me. He fills the space, broad shoulders and bulging muscles barely contained in a faded green t-shirt.
“Yes, alpha?”
“I wanted to greet you properly, but I figured we shouldn’t linger. Who knows if the neighbors will talk or if someone might see.”
I nod, trying to push aside my omega instincts. Her current vibe would be the equivalent of rolling over and asking for belly rubs.
“Can I greet you properly now?”
“Oh,” I say, bouncing my eyes up to meet his. They’re a comforting hazel, warm and soft. Easy to sink into. “Sure.”
He opens his door and steps around to mine, opening it as well and offering me a hand out. I stand before him, confused, and he looks down at me with a gentle smile on his face.
“Hello, Sage,” he says.
My lips twitch up into a small smile, and I bite my lip to conceal it. “Hi, alpha.”
“Brooks,” he replies. “Please, call me Brooks. May I touch you?”
I nod in response to both his request and question, still confused about why he’s treating me this way.
My brain avoids thinking about it as my eyes are drawn to his work-roughened hands.
The opposite of Josh’s, and my stomach swoops when I think about how Brooks could easily fit both of mine between his and I wouldn’t see a speck of my own skin.
“I need your words, Sage.”
“My…? Oh. Yes, al—Brooks. You can… touch me.”
He’s gentle and slow, somehow knowing this is a big deal for me. My eyes dart between his hand and his face as he reaches up to cup my cheek. He smoothes one thumb over my cheekbone and I shudder, pressing into his gentle touch. His chest rumbles with a purr, and a tingle dances down my spine.
“I’m so happy to be spending some time with you,” he says. His voice comes out slightly hoarse.
“I’m happy for that, too,” I whisper, unable to look him in the eye. It feels too intimate. There’s too much to lose for me to face it fully right now.
“Thank you for taking a chance on me.”
He moves his hand from my face to trace a lock of my hair, running it between his fingers as his hand lowers. Then he gestures for me to get back in the truck, and he resumes his spot in the driver’s seat as well.
“Would it be okay if I hold your hand?” He glances at me, and I nod, holding my hand out.
“Your words, Sage.”
Right, that’s going to be hard to get used to. Steve and Josh want to hear me as little as possible; it’s bizarre that this alpha is asking me to speak so much.
“Yes, I’d like that.” I manage to get the words out despite how tight my throat is, but then his smile makes it all worth it.
Those full lips and white teeth breaking through the neatly trimmed beard and taking my breath away.
I wish I was brave enough to reach up and scratch my fingers along his jaw.
Instead, I avert my gaze, looking down at my baby blue dress.
Then Brooks gently takes my hand in his, resting them on the console between us.
It’s a relatively short drive, only a half hour or so. Brooks asks what kind of music I like to listen to, but I honestly don’t know, so he puts on something low and soothing with a rolling beat.
Then we just… talk. About little things, relatively inconsequential topics that put me at ease for the most part.
My birthday (September 25), his birthday (August 30).
What it was like for each of us growing up in rural Michigan.
Playing outside as kids, and the joy (his) or dread (mine) of snow days.
We’ve lived very different lives, although we seem to have quiet and solitude in common.
He’s an only child, and I’ve always been an outcast. The unwanted one both at home and at school, the one no one liked or wanted to be around.
Brooks isn’t treating me that way, though.
I frown, unsure what to do about that thought.
I don’t think I’ve talked this much, ever. It’s weird, but in a good way.
In general, I tend not to speak if I can avoid it, not even to myself when the alphas are out. They want a silent servant, and I want to go as unnoticed as possible. My throat already feels a little sore after using my voice so much, but it’s a good ache. A new hurt, for a reason I chose.
When Brooks flips the blinker on and turns into a wide lane bordered by a meadow with a field of purple flowers ahead, my mouth falls open.
It’s gorgeous.
The sign says “Lavender Hills Farm” and I’ve never seen a view so stunning. Rows of light purple flowers spread out before us and my eyes lock on the swaying blooms as he pulls into a dirt parking space and cuts the engine.
“I’m sorry if it’s too cliché,” he says.
I tilt my head as I look down at my skirt, unsure what he’s referring to.
“What with your scent being lavender, I mean,” he says.
Ah. I shrug. I used to like my scent well enough. Lavender is pretty and calming, but my scent has grown bitter and harsh, acrid and soapy when I get too stressed. I don’t like it anymore, but apparently this kind alpha does, so I won’t complain.
He’s still holding my hand, and his fingers squeeze mine to get my attention. I blink the world back into focus, chancing a glance up at him.
Brooks smiles when I meet his gaze.
“I love your eyes,” he murmurs. “I’d be happy if I could look into them every day.”
I… don’t know what to do with that. I’ve always been told an omega should keep her eyes down. That too much eye contact is seen as a challenge, and from an omega, it’s basically asking for punishment. I open my mouth, but nothing comes out, so I close it again.
He quirks a crooked, sad looking smile at me and squeezes my hand again.
“I also like hearing your voice, and your thoughts, when you choose to share them with me.”
Yeah, okay. That’s too much.
I yank my hand from his and turn to open the door, but the latch fumbles in my shaking fingers. Before I can panic, Brooks is on the other side opening it for me, then holding his hand out to help me step down.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“You’re welcome, Petal,” he says.
I jerk my gaze up to his, surprised at the nickname.
“Petal?”
“Soft, but strong. Delicate and feminine. Stunning. Precious…” he trails off as my cheeks heat and I close my eyes, shaking my head as I turn my face away. Unable to take any more of his kind lies.
There’s no way he sees me as all that, but I don’t know how to either accept or protest, so I don’t say anything at all. He envelopes my hand in his, then guides me toward the lavender field in front of us.
My little omega heart is fit to burst, and the date hasn’t really even started yet. All we’ve done is drive for thirty minutes and talk.
It’s dangerous, how fast I’m falling for this comforting alpha.