Evans #2
Zale, Blake and I slide into the back of Hunter‘s car, squashed up against one another, our knees and shoulders touching. It’s not that it’s a small car, it’s that we’re big broad football players.
I mean, really the omega in the front seat should’ve moved into the back and then I could’ve sat in the front seat.
That’s what makes the most sense. Besides, what omega wouldn’t love being sandwiched between two big beefy football players?
Biting the inside of my cheek, I shift, trying to get comfortable for the short drive.
It’s too loud with the music and the others chatting beside me that I can’t hear what they’re talking about in the front seat, but I see him and Hunter talking animatedly.
Hunter says something and the omega laughs, it’s a belly laugh, the kind that has his pretty head tilting and tears coming from his eyes.
Hunter is not even that funny. Not funny enough to warrant a laugh like that.
Being trapped in the small space with them I pick up on hints of lavender and lilac, mixing with the spiced orange. There’s a sweetness underneath it all, a simmering arousal. And I know without even having to ask that they’ve fucked before.
Curling my hand into a fist, I remind myself that it’s none of my business. I drown out Blake and Zale’s strategy chat and Hunter’s flirting with the horny omega. My mood has now dropped like a boulder in the ocean. I just want my fucking burger.
Holy Cow is busy, filled with other Oakley students and a few locals, but then it always is. We head over to the corner, where Shiloh, Bell and a few others have managed to snag some tables. Hunter sits on the table opposite me, the omega by his side. They’re practically glued to one another.
Scanning the QR code, I order my burger with extra fries and bacon. Fuck it, I earned it. Food and service is quick, and while I’d normally have tried to flirt with the omega waitress, I don't have any energy left after the game.
The burger doesn’t taste as nice as it usually does and in the back of my mind I briefly wonder if some of that bitterness isn’t from omega sitting opposite me. His name, I’ve learned, is Soren.
I don’t like him. Or the way he makes heart eyes at Hunter like he wants to ride his dick. Again. I know I’m being irrational and cranky. I think I’m just overtired after the game. The adrenaline has faded to a trickle now, hopefully boosted by some carby goodness.
We’re almost finished eating when Sadie walks in with one of her best friends, Sage. Since the Vos cabin, our friendship circle has shifted and now only Sage and Sadie seem to still hang around with us occasionally.
Striding over, wearing a pair of cut-off denim shorts and a tight jersey with my name on, she slides onto my lap.
Wrapping her arms around me, she leans in and inhales, rubbing her nose up the column of my neck.
I hate it when she scent marks me in public, her sweet syrupy perfume clinging to my skin.
“I missed you, baby,” she whines before her voice drops low as she murmurs, “Why haven’t you been answering my calls?”
Swallowing, I avoid her gaze. Is because I’m a coward an acceptable answer here? No. I’m a Crawford alpha. We aren’t cowards.
Opposite the table, Hunter‘s eyes narrow, only for a second before he turns his attention back to Soren. I know what he’s thinking; he doesn't even have to say it aloud. Inside that head of his, he’s calling her some sort of siren or sea witch or hag or something like that.
I don’t know, he’s the one who knows all the weird mythical magical creatures.
Tossing her long red hair over her shoulder, she flutters her lashes at me, placing a kiss on my temple. “Great job on winning the game tonight."
Something in my chest tightens. Other than my team, she’s the only person to congratulate me.
To tell me I’ve done something right for a change.
Smiling weakly at her, I try gently easing her off my lap but she’s clamped onto me like a limpet.
If I keep trying to push, she might end up pulling my head off with it.
Bell, who was sitting on the other side of Hunter, pushes to their feet, clutching their phone. “Sorry, I just need to take this call.”
They look worried, their eyebrows pinched together and furrow lines on their forehead. When we’d arrived earlier, I’d noticed the dark circles under their eyes and the sallow look to their usually bright, glowy skin. I think they may have lost weight too. Were they sick?
Sadie chats to Sage, stealing the occasional fry off my plate and after a while I relax into the familiarity of it.
I know what I’m getting with Sadie—most of the time.
She’s honest and upfront. She sees me when no one else does.
Even her scent is familiar. I’d grown used to the sticky sweetness.
Maybe this could be what my future looks like?
Bell returns, looking paler than before, a soft sheen of sweat on their skin. Just as I’m about to open my mouth and say something, Shiloh whispers something and Zale gets to his feet.