Chapter 12
Brielle
Maverick stares at me through the bars of his cell. The sheriff decided that we each need to occupy our own, the only two available in this town.
My lips quirk when we lock gazes again. He rubs a hand down his face.
“I’m sorry—”
I wave a hand. “Honestly, I think this may be the best date I’ve ever had.”
He scowls, crossing his arms over his chest as he faces the door that leads into the small police station. “That ends with us getting arrested?”
I shrug, shifting on the cold, concrete seat. “It’s like one of those stories you tell our grandkids one day, ya know? Grandpa took me for some barbecue, then I rode him in the truck, and we got arrested. Cinema.”
When he doesn’t answer, I roll my head to stare at him. The soft expression on his face makes my heart race.
“What?”
A smile stretches on his lips. “Our grandkids?”
My cheeks flame with an embarrassed flush, and I tear my gaze away with a groan. “Stop. You know what I meant.”
“I think you meant that you see us growing old together, and I have to say I like that image a lot too.”
I cup my heated cheeks, trying to cool them down.
The jangle of keys being shoved into a lock has us both looking up as the officer that locked us up comes through the door. He’s followed by a person I never expected to see, and I stand up quickly.
“Jax!”
The bar’s bouncer gives me a flirty smile and wink that has Maverick growling next to me.
Heat pools in my belly at his clear possessiveness.
I know a lot of women would be turned off by the sound, but something broken in my needy omega brain has me swooning.
Which really says something because I shouldn’t want a possessive man given the circumstances I ran from, but Maverick’s jealousy has a different ring to it.
I move closer, curling my fingers around the bars. “What are you doing here?”
“Tracy sent me. We heard what happened, but no one could get a hold of Colt or the other men. They finally called and said Kinsey is in heat.”
“What! Kinsey is in heat?!” I shriek. I’m not too surprised, given the amount of spikes she’s had lately, but also it’s like two months early. I frown, thinking about how horny I’ve been.
Maverick stands, swiftly walking closer to us. “No one at the ranch picked up?”
“Do you think we were getting knotted at the same time last night? Like knotty soul sisters?” I ask suddenly, still processing that this means I’m probably going into heat next.
They both ignore me, Maverick wincing at the word sister, and that makes me snort.
“Duke and Cooper rolled in this morning. They’ve got it all handled from what I heard. Tracy thought it would be easier for everyone if I sprang ya,” Jax explains, and neither of us misses the amusement in his tone.
Maverick groans. “Everyone fucking knows already, don’t they?”
“Knows what? You two got tossed in the block? Or that you were rocking the truck at the docks?”
I snicker as Maverick rubs his hands down his face again, then it turns into full belly laughter when I remember what happened. “You should have seen it, Jax. They kept knocking on the window and asking if his knot had deflated yet.”
“Brielle!” Maverick growls.
I wave my hand at the complaining alpha. “Oh, I might as well have some fun with it. Everyone already knows.”
Jax grins wider, winking at Maverick too. “As if I can’t smell you all over her.”
The officer clears his throat. “Alright, enough yapping. Let’s get these depraved delinquents out of my jail.”
I mouth delinquents at Maverick, trying to suppress a giggle. Never in my life did I think I would be called a delinquent after a random rendezvous in a truck.
Maverick’s cell is unlocked first, and he pats the officer on the shoulder. “Thanks. I appreciate your hard work for this community.”
I tuck my lips into my mouth at the officer’s scowl, and Maverick moves past with a huff, waiting next to an equally amused Jax.
Maverick wraps his arm around my waist as soon as I’m free, and we take the final walk of shame through the station. Jax snorts when one of the other officers cat calls from a far corner.
A hiss almost escapes me when the morning sun blinds me as we open the front door. My hand shields me from it as Jax dangles a bag with Maverick’s wallet and keys.
“They parked it right outside for you.”
Maverick grunts. “Perfect view for all the nosy townsfolk, you mean?”
Jax shrugs and turns back to me. “Tracy said we might need help picking up extra shifts with Kinsey out for a few days.”
I nod, patting down my tangled hair. “Sounds good. Whatever she needs. Tonight?”
“Yup,” he says. “See you at six.” Jax leaves us without another word, walking straight toward Main Street and the café for a coffee.
Maverick watches his retreating figure. “You know he’s going to tell everyone who asks.”
I curl into his chest, stroking his t-shirt with my cold fingers. “You embarrassed of me, Cowboy?” I’m teasing, but the lingering doubt surfacing in my head won’t let go of the insecurity.
He balks, holding me tighter to him. “Never, but I like to keep my business my own.”
I bite down on my lip, giving him a full pout right after. “But you’d do it all again, wouldn’t you?”
His cock twitches where it’s resting against my belly, and a faint flush works over his face as he glances away before clearing his throat. “You know I would.”
“Then let it go. If the worst thing people say is I got caught being sexed up by my alpha, so be it.”
His eyebrows rise. “Your alpha?”
I push away from him with a teasing laugh, and he lets go of me easily. “I mean, maybe. We’ll see, right? What kind of girl do you think I am to give it all up on the first date.”
My stomach dips, some of the humor disappearing when I think about the pack in the city my parents desperately wanted me to date, but I clear my throat, pushing away those feelings. When I turn back to face Maverick, he’s watching me curiously.
“What?”
He smiles, cocking his head to the side. “I just… Look, I have a bit of a reputation for being grumpy, and a little angry at times, but you have nothing to fear from me, Brielle. If you decided to part ways from me, it would hurt like hell, but I would never force you into a relationship.”
The stupid ache I’d tried to force down swells larger, and tears prick my eyes before I wipe them away. I hug myself and nod. “Since we’re getting all serious and stuff, I never thought you would. Faux reputation and all.”
“Faux, huh?”
I shrug. “I think most just know you’re not to be messed with, not so much grumpy or angry.” Then I narrow my eyes on him. “Except Kinsey. I don’t like how you treated my best friend. Strike one, buddy.”
He sighs, accepting it with resignation. “Yeah, I was a bit of a jerk. I hope we all can move past that.”
I pat his chest. “I’m sure we can, big guy. Now give me a kiss and drop me back home.”
I glance over at the empty bed and sigh.
I’m so happy for Kinsey. I really am.
But I’m also so jealous that I want to rip out all her hair and stuff it in pillows that haven’t been slept on for days.
I crinkle my nose at the imagery. It’s a little too violent for eight in the morning, probably because I need caffeine.
Another pout pulls on my lips. If Kinsey still lived with me, then I’d already have coffee waiting for me.
But something heavier has me sitting on the bed, taking in how deserted the place now feels.
The first couple of nights we slept here, it felt like a small home. A safe place we could call our own. But as the weeks pass and she gets busier with her soon to be pack, the feeling is starting to fade.
If I let my omega out to play, I bet Maverick is my scent match.
The way my body and mind relaxes around him isn’t something to ignore.
I trace the small scar under my elbow and focus on taking another deep breath.
Am I ready to join a pack of my own? When I ran from the city with Kinsey, I had been determined to field life on my own, or at least with her by my side.
I envy that she found her safe spot, but more that the men seem to really love her through and through.
I could see it in the way they came in at night, visiting her at work.
There is undeniably a connection forming between Maverick and me, but I can’t help but feel like something is missing, and that feels selfish.
Maverick has been great, and god, the sex was everything.
It’s petty of me, but bad sex is a deal breaker for me.
I didn’t fight like hell to get away from my life just to settle for mediocre sex.
And the other two men, Duke and Cooper, I haven’t seen since that day at the gas station.
My omega perked up at the scent and sight of them, wanting to claw out the beta whose scent lingered on Duke, and purred at Cooper’s kiss.
Maybe I’m being overzealous, and I’ve spent too long trying to repress my omega instincts, so she’s acting a little whack.
A loud noise from down the hallway has me swallowing a scream, and I sit up straight with my heart pounding.
I grab a sweater and money, then rush out the door.
Even with it being broad daylight, I don’t want to stay in the room alone.
I know Kinsey has enjoyed the small café up the street, and I’d waved off Maverick buying me another meal because I could see the exhaustion on his face.
As soon as the fresh air hits my face, I breathe a little easier.
Each step toward the café eases my anxiety a little more, and it makes me want to cry.
A few weeks ago, I would have never thought twice about a loud noise, or being alone in a room.
I would have never sought comfort being in public, and I wish I could get that part of myself back.
I never plan on seeing any of those men again.
They do not get to live in my mind forever when I know they’ll forget about me as time goes on.
The smell of coffee and pastries brings a smile to my face, a smile big enough that I don’t even have to fake greet every town person who says good morning.
I have the barista make me her favorite drink, sticking with my theme of trying new things.
After all, that day led me to two of the best kisses of my life.
When she hands it over, I take a sip of the overly sweet drink that explodes with a caramel and cookie flavor.
It’s not bad, but probably not something I’d get again.
“Hey, Sunshine.”
I nearly choke on my coffee as I turn around and come face to face with Cooper.
“Oh my god. I was just thinking about you.”
His eyebrows almost jump off of his face, and my cheeks heat with mortification.
I wave my hand to fan myself. “Ignore that. Please.”
A gorgeous smile stretches over his mouth. “No, I don’t think I can. That’s the best thing I’ve heard in a while.” His eyes drop to my coffee, and he pouts a little. “Damn, I’m too slow. I was hoping to grab you a coffee and food.”
“Well, I could go for a little treat,” I nudge him, not about to admit that I didn’t have the cash to pay for more than the coffee.
I spent the majority of what I saved on the dress and sandals for my date with Maverick, which I don’t regret one bit, but hadn’t thought about food I might need before my shift tonight.
Not that this would be my first time going all day without anything.
I’m no stranger to my mother’s tricks when my dresses fit just a little too tight.
He opens the café door, holding it out so I can walk through, and he follows behind. “How’s your morning so far?”
I raise an eyebrow. “You haven’t heard?”
Cooper looks at me confused. “No?”
I let out a small laugh. “Just got out of jail.”
He stops, staring at me in disbelief, so I continue to really shake his boots.
“With Maverick, after we got caught with our pants down out by the lake.”
He stares at me for a few more seconds before clearing his throat. “Wow…that’s—uh, unexpected. Maverick, huh? Never would have expected.” His mouth pinches into a frown. “Are you two courting?”
I giggle at such a formal term, and shrug. “I don’t know yet. Maybe, who knows? It’s pretty casual.”
He nods. “And if I wanted to throw my hat in the ring?”
Butterflies flutter in my stomach, and I cock my head to the side, giving him a small smile. “See, and find out.”
He smiles back. “Alright. Are you working tonight?”
I wrinkle my nose. “Unfortunately, I have—work, yeah.” God, I almost told him about Kinsey’s heat when it’s none of his business. Maybe I’m adjusting to this small town living quicker than I thought.
He doesn’t question my word vomit. “And tomorrow? We leave again in a few days, and I want to spend at least one of those days with you if you want me.”
I grin wider. “Sure. Tomorrow works.”
Cooper goes to say something, but is interrupted by a loud screech. We both flinch as a group of teenage girls come flying toward us. I’m effectively pushed out of the way as they talk a million miles a minute, some asking for a signature and others asking for a photo.
He gives me a resigned look that resembles an apology before he turns back with a megawatt smile.
I’m reminded that he’s somewhat of a celebrity around here.
Taking a step back, I watch him for a few minutes, enamored with the way he’s handling it.
He seems patient and kind as the girls fire off question after question for him.
When it doesn’t seem like there’s an end in sight, I give him a small wave that he catches and returns, then I head back to the inn, a little pep in my step that I seemed to draw the attention of what looks like two good men.