Hunter #2
I frown, tilting my head as we start strolling through the aisles together, picking up items as we go. The cashier glances over now and again between texting on their phone, barely paying us any attention.
“Exactly! This morning he texted Bell asking how long cooked chicken can stay in the fridge before it kills you.”
I blink. What? He could search that on his phone, why would he ask Bell? What was he thinking?
Shiloh sighs, pushing a curl behind his ear. “Well, anyway, I just wondered if he’d said anything to you. Because if that’s his way of flirting, I don’t think it’s working.”
“Does Bell think he’s flirting?” My stomach tightens. Why did I ask that? Did I want to know if Evans was trying to woo Bell again? I thought he’d moved past that but maybe I’d misunderstood. I mean, he was an alpha, why wouldn’t he go for a pretty omega?
That’s what his father would expect.
What society says he should do.
“No, Bell seems to think they’re just friends.” Shiloh shifts from foot to foot, with a small pout. “But when did they become friends? When did they even hang out?”
Hmmm. When indeed. Did Bell have something to do with the butt plug? It was all a little out of character for Evans. Was the pretty omega behind it?
“Anyway, I’m just being the jealous best friend I guess.
Maybe I’ll blame it on the pregnancy hormones.
” Shiloh laughs and grabs six bottles of blue electrolyte drink from the shelf before adding a large jar of pickles and a tin of SpaghettiOs to the mix.
When his gaze meets mine, he shrugs. “Cravings.”
The next day, conversation in the house turns again to spring break. It’s the hot topic at the moment, as we all start making plans to head home. Isn’t it strange how much something can change?
Last year we were making plans to go partying. Whether we went to Zale’s family's place in the Bahamas or we took over one of Evans’ father’s hotels in Europe, it was all about having a good time. This year is different.
It’s our final year, you’d think we’d be planning some big giant blowout, instead there’s this sad resignation. Things have changed. We’ve changed. Does this mean we’re actually growing up?
“So, has everyone decided what they’re doing?” Zale asks, sitting in the armchair while Shiloh stands before him with his shirt lifted up over his tiny bump. He rubs some sort of lotion over Shiloh’s belly.
Blake is sitting with a book on the sofa next to Evans, who’s laying down with his legs across Blake’s lap.
He’s playing video games with me while I’m on the floor in front of him.
Every now and again he’ll reach out and twirl my hair through his fingers, like he needs to remind himself I’m still here.
“I don’t know, man. I think Sadie said something about making plans but I haven’t committed. What are you doing?” Evans fingers brush against the back of my neck, making me shiver. I wish I’d worn a turtle neck or something, instead of just a t-shirt. Something that left me less exposed.
It takes me a moment to realise he's asking me specifically as the others watch us curiously.
“I’m heading home with my family.” I glance behind me, and his dark eyes meet mine.
I see something in those inky depths. It may be disappointment, but I can’t be sure.
I was the king of giving myself false hope these days.
“We’re going to the Lakehouse. I’ll probably just spend a couple of weeks having barbecues, swimming, and I might get some painting done. ”
Evans chuckles, “All you ever do is paint. You’re constantly covered in paint.”
He scratches his nail lightly over a dried patch of acrylic on my face. Using my phone camera to check, I realise it was a fingerprint from my session earlier. I must have missed it in the clean-up.
We still hadn’t discussed the plug incident, both of us just pretending it didn’t happen.
I’d already stopped trying to avoid him, but now we were in this weird liminal space.
More than housemates or best friends, but less than lovers.
It was messing with my head, but he was clearly taking it hard too.
I think he’d missed me, even if he wouldn’t admit it.
This morning, he leaned into my side while I made my coffee.
Then when we were all making lunch in the kitchen earlier, he was constantly touching me.
A hand on the base of my back, coming around to rest on my hip, putting his chin on my shoulder, fingers brushing against mine, nudging his shoulder against me.
It’s like he’s trying to use me to ground himself, while I’m out here fighting for my life, trying not to come in my jeans. I’d actually had to go and put on a t-shirt, the constant skin contact was too much.
Some space would definitely be good for us right now. It would let me work out how I feel and what I want, and hopefully it would do the same for him.
He’s laying here talking about his plans with Sadie, while reassuring himself that I’m still by his side through lingering touches that are driving me wild.
My alpha wants to grab him, flip him over and claim him in front of everyone. And it’s making me snappy and agitated as I count down the days until we’re apart.
That’s not sustainable.
It’s not healthy.
The relationship we have is fragile. Like a silk spiderweb, and sooner or later one of us is going to walk through it, ruining everything.
I think I need it to be him.
Blake doesn’t even look up from his book, as he flips another page. “Well, I’m heading back home and going camping with my family. You’re all more than welcome to join.”
Evans groans as he dies in the video game, respawning on the other side of the map. “No thanks—your brother scares me. He’s so competitive, man. I’ve never seen Monopoly played that way.”
For Blake’s birthday last year we’d all headed to his family home. Blake didn’t come from money, it’s why he took his studies seriously, because unlike the rest of us he relied on his scholarships.
We’d grabbed a couple of large tents and set up in his parent’s backyard for a few nights, which is where we’d tried (and failed) to play boardgames with his family.
“He’s twelve.” Blake rolls his eyes, but I see the smile tugging at his lips.
Evans makes a face before he dies again, distracted. “He’s got a bright future ahead of him in Mergers and Acquisitions. That’s all I’m saying.”
“Agreed. Colby is terrifying.” Zale chimes in with a solemn nod. “We’re hoping to spend some time with both of our families. Maybe even check out some houses in the area.”
He’d been talking for a while about moving out of the house at the end of the semester. It made sense since he wanted to be near his pregnant omega all the time, the alpha urge to protect and nurture was made worse by their separation. Not that they ever were really separate, not for long anyway.
“Well, the same goes for the Lakehouse. If any of you get bored or need a break from your families, you’re welcome to join mine,” I offer, hoping that none of them take me up on it.