“I love you.” I croak it out. Ineedher to hear it. “So fucking much, Ken. I think I always have.”
I think I fell in love with an omega on the first day of eleventh grade. And I want to spend the rest of my life proving it.
“Even when you were being an asshole?” Her voice is steady. “You try that shit with me ever again, I’ll take out your kneecaps, Theo. I’m pretty handy with a baseball bat.”
“I bought it,” I say roughly. “The bat. For you. It’s in the cupboard.”
Her lips part. “You bought me the baseball bat from the diner?”
I nod, still staring at her. Drinking her in. “I wanted to destroy Brett’s statue with it. And I figured you might need it in the future. If I’m being a dick.”
She sucks in the side of her cheek. “Consider yourself on probation, then.”
My smile starts small. “Yeah?”
And my mate smiles back at me. “Yeah. Did you really destroy the statue?”
I nod. “You think I’d let you come home and see that? Jake and Oz helped. It’s nothing but dust.”
“Good.” She leans forward, and I inhale as her lips brush my cheek. “Don’t fuck this up again, Theo.”
“Never.”
Jake
Ipauseinthehallway,drinking it in. The scent of cooking filters out of the kitchen, the low hum of music from Max’s speaker.
It feels like a home again, mom.
I wish she was here to see it. Something settles in my chest as I reach the kitchen. Kenny twists, peeking at me from over Theo’s shoulder. He stands behind her, holding onto the pan.
Something seems to have eased between them today. I’m glad.
Oscar yawns, nodding. Passing him, I press my lips to the side of Kenny’s head. “Hey.”
“Hey.” Her cheeks pink as she glances back at the food. “You hungry? Max is in the shower, but it’s nearly ready.”
“I’ll shower after.” I get the clean plates out of the cupboard, laying the table as Kenny and Theo plate up the casserole.
Oscar yawns again. “Tired?”
“No, actually. I think I slept too much.”
Kenny lets out a small scoff. “I think you were overdue.”
Max whistles as he strolls in, making a beeline for her. “You would be correct. Did you have a good day?”
She nods. Her mouth twists wryly. “More rest.”
She needs it. But there’s already more color in her cheeks. More life. As if the Center was sucking it from her.
“You should try out the nest.” I offer her a small smile. “It was made for you. Nobody else has been in it.”
Kenny smiles, although it feels a little… off. “Maybe.”
“You have a bedroom too,” Max adds. “It’s all connected.”
And big enough that there’s plenty of space for if she’s ever ready to invite us in. Heat prickles my neck, and I push the thought away, feeling like an asshole for even thinking it.
