Chapter 12 #2
As I look at my Alphas on the screen, any feelings I have for anyone else seem to drift away. Maybe the more time I spend with Carson and Reid, the more everything I feel for anyone else will drift away completely?
Maybe it’s not romantic feelings I have for my friends online, maybe it’s just that they’re a safe place for me, and I’m misinterpreting my feelings for them as something more.
As for Damien? Sure, I’m attracted to him, but it’s just a crush, right?
“Damn right you are.” Carson grins. “Do you know how hard it was not to text you? Damn, baby, we’ve been going out of our minds without you.”
“I’m sorry I left without saying anything.” My cheeks heat with embarrassment. “I just didn't know how to process everything.”
“We understand,” Reid says, his voice going softer. “It’s a lot to deal with in a short amount of time. We’re strangers who came with big changes.”
“Well, we need to fix the whole stranger thing,” Carson declares.
“How about we ask Addison what she wants to do first?” Reid chides his friend.
“Addie,” I tell them. “I prefer being called Addie.”
“Addie.” Reid smiles. “What would you like to do? How would you like to take these next steps?”
“I want to see you,” I whisper. “Badly.” I groan. “God, I must sound like a clingy Omega.”
“Be clingy,” Carson urges. “Glue yourself to my side. Trust me, I don’t mind.”
“He doesn’t.” Reid laughs. “He’s going to be worse than either of us, trust me.”
“What about you?” I chew on my lip. “Does a needy Omega turn you off?”
His eyes grow heated. “Nothing about you wanting me badly turns me off, Sweet Girl. Trust me, I want you just as bad.”
My chest warms. A wave of happiness floods me. Good, I’m glad they feel this way. I’ve never dated anyone, so I’m not sure how to act. I just know I want to talk to them, see them, hear their voices.
“You should move back,” Carson says. “You can live with us. We have lots of space.”
“Shut up,” Reid hisses. “Relax, man. Give the girl some time.”
“I think moving in now is way too soon.” I giggle, and Carson pouts.
“But we wanna see you.” He sighs.
“What my very awestruck best friend here is saying is that we want to see you more and get to know you. So, this is our official request. Addie, would you do us the honor of allowing us to court you? To woo you? To spoil you? Get to know everything about you? To make sure you always have the best time and feel safe and wanted? We will go at your pace, and do what feels comfortable for you. No rush. No expectations.”
I can’t help the dumb smile on my face, my stomach fluttering with butterflies.
“Dude, she’s wearing our bite marks.” Carson points to the phone. “There are some expectations.”
“Would you shut up, please?” Reid growls.
There's a floaty feeling rushing through me, like I’m on a cloud of sunshine and rainbows or something. I feel happy and excited. Nothing about them screams danger, or turn the other way and run.
“I accept." I bite my lower lip and grin.
“Oh shit.” Reid grins. “Really?”
“Of course." I laugh. “The fact is, we’re scent matches. Carson is right, you’ve both marked me. Just because I might not be ready to pack everything up and move in, doesn’t mean I don’t want to be with you.
We don’t have to take things slow, I think we’re past slow.
” I grin. “Now that I already know what it feels like to have both of you inside me.”
I love the way their eyes darken with hunger, making my nipples pull tight against my bra.
“Fuck, baby,” Carson groans. “You’re making me hard. If any of the guys see me like this, I’ll never hear the end of it.”
“Where are you anyway?”
“Locker room, toward the back,” Reid says. “We couldn’t wait to talk to you.” I’ve been hearing the chatter of guys, I just thought it was people in the background near wherever they were.
Now the whole half-naked thing makes sense.
“Give us about thirty minutes, and we’ll be dressed and back at our place. Then we can talk some more. Is that okay with you?”
“Yeah.” I smile, nodding my head.
“Bye, sexy lady!” Carson calls.
“Talk soon, Sweet Girl.” Reid grins.
“Bye,” I whisper.
The call ends, and I sigh heavily.
Now what should I do while I wait?
“Morning.” Damien’s voice has me jumping. I spin around and find him so close to me that I can smell his body wash.
“Hi.” I tilt my head back.
His stormy blue eyes are locked on mine as he leans forward. My heart starts to race, and for a second I think he might kiss me!
But then he reaches behind me and pulls back with an apple in his hand.
He lifts a brow, a small smile playing on his lips, like he knows what he’s doing to me as he takes a bite.
What the hell was that?
“What are you up to today?” He asks, stepping back until he’s leaning against the kitchen island.
I clear my throat and turn back around to finish up my grilled cheese before plating it and turning off the stovetop.
“I’m actually going on a trip,” I say, voice soft as I stare down at my plate.
Things are weird between Damien and me. Half the time, I don’t know if he can’t stand me or if he cares. It’s very confusing.
“On a trip?” His voice is gruff. “Where are you going?”
Last night when the guys called me back, we spent hours talking. I told them all about my life. My childhood here and the time I spent in Nashville. I told them about my best friend, Cae, and how we met. Then I told them about moving back here and all the things that've happened since.
They told me about how they met when they were in kindergarten and were neighbors, how they grew up together, and have been inseparable ever since.
They both come from loving, supportive families. I’m happy for them.
They also can’t wait to introduce me, but thankfully, they haven’t pushed on that. I’d like to get to know them a bit better before we do the whole meet the parents thing.
God, I don’t even want to think about what my mother is going to do when she finds out about this.
Not that I care that much, I just don’t want her throwing a fit, kicking me out, and not allowing me to take my belongings.
As for the streaming job, the guys seem to think it’s cool. They didn’t say anything about wanting me to quit, not that I would anyway. I wouldn’t stand for controlling behavior.
I told them about the guys I’m friends with online and how we’ve known each other for years, how we’ve been playing together.
I’m not sure if I should be relieved or upset over the fact that they didn’t seem jealous about it at all.
Right before we called it a night, the guys mentioned they are travelling to Las Vegas for a game soon and asked if I would be up for a trip to see them.
They said it wouldn’t be a long one. Three days, including their game day, and then they have to be back in Nashville.
I said yes because I can’t wait to see them.
Las Vegas is a cheap, quick flight. They offered to pay, but I insisted on taking care of it myself.
I don’t want them to think I’m using them for their money.
I know they mentioned that they want to spoil me, and while that sounds tempting, I’d like them to know I want them for them, and not what they can give me. Eventually, I’ll let them do that.
“Las Vegas.” I spin around and put on a fake smile. “My friend from Nashville is going to meet me there. Have a girls’ weekend.”
“Las Vegas...” He says slowly, narrowing his eyes. “That’s kind of random.”
“Well, she’s going to be there anyway, and it’s a quick, inexpensive flight.
I don’t see any reason not to. Plus, I miss her.
It’s been months since we saw each other.
” It’s not a complete lie, I do miss Cae, and I can’t just tell him that I’m going to meet my new Alphas.
My Alphas I just met. Alphas who happen to be two guys on a rival team.
He got pissed off that I was wearing one of his teammates’ jerseys. What would he think if he thought I was betraying his team for the enemy?
His enemy, though, not mine. I couldn’t care less about any of that hockey shit. It’s just a game to me, but to him, to them, it’s something more.
“Right.” He nods his head, eyes flicking down to where my bite marks are.
My hand itches to reach up and cover them, but I’m not ashamed of them. I shouldn’t have to be. This is my life, and I can do what I want. He hasn’t been concerned about me in years, so why start now?
I’m waiting for him to ask about the marks and who my Alphas are.
He doesn’t. Instead, he takes a bite of his apple and chews it slowly.
“Be safe,” he says after he swallows. “Call me if you need anything.”
“I will,” I say, dumbfounded.
I’m so damn confused by this guy because he’s so hot and cold. One minute, he seems angry, and the next, he doesn’t care. I could have sworn there was a flash of anger in his eyes when he looked at my bite marks. Why does he care? Shouldn’t he be happy for me?
Whatever. I’m not going to let the complication of how my stepbrother’s mind works bug me.
I’ve got a bag to pack and a flight to catch.
I’m going to Vegas, baby. To see my Alphas. I really hope this trip is worth it.