“It’s fine. I think this whole brother thing means I can’t kick you out, or something like that.” Aiden said.
“There’s a little thing called a hotel.” Jack shook his head laughing. “I’ll be fine. Don’t blow this chance. Believe me.” There was a far off look in Jack’s eyes like he was thinking of something or maybe someone.
“When you're ready, I want to know that story,” Aiden said.
Jack smiled. “That’s for another time and a lot of liquor.”
“I’ll hold you to it, and you don’t have to stay at a hotel. There’s enough room in the house.”
“Nah, I’ll give you your privacy to romance your omega properly. I’ll check into a hotel.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. It’s only going to be for one night so you can fix any misunderstandings. Now… I’m ready for more pizza. Hand me the box.”
Aiden laughed and grabbed the box from the table. He’d barely handed it over to Jack before his brother reached inside, grabbed a slice, and bit into it.
Aiden was hopeful that by the time Quinn got there the next day, he’d be able to talk him into dinner that night, but he needed to be sure to start off with the truth.
He ignored the voice pointing out it wasn’t the only truth he owed Quinn.
13
Quinn
Quinn spent the night before cleaning his house from top to bottom after Aiden canceled their plans. He’d had to find a place to pour out all the anger... the hurt that he was going through. Quinn felt so silly, especially because he’d already been at the store to pick up wine before heading to Aiden’s place.
When the alpha had tried calling him, he was in no mood to hear any of his excuses and shut off his phone before going to bed. He refused to even listen to the voicemail he found when he turned it back on this morning. Probably more typical alpha lies.
Aiden canceling was one thing, but Quinn could swear he heard a man’s voice, and then Aiden said something about his brother. He was pretty sure Aiden had never mentioned anything about a brother or that he even had one. Still, there was a small part of him that refused to believe that Aiden would cancel with him just so he could hook up with someone else. Especially not a few hours beforehand… right?
When he pulled into Aiden’s driveway, though, he saw it with his own eyes. There was another car parked behind Aiden’s. Quinn made sure to park on the opposite side of the driveway, but he sat there and stared at the license plate and then focused on the little sticker that looked like a barcode on the back window. The car was a rental. Well, at least he wouldn’t have to worry about running into Aiden’s fling around town since he must not be local.
“He did say his brother was around,” Quinn muttered. “Don’t go thinking the worst.
He took a deep breath and shut the car off, then got out and headed up to Aiden’s door. Before he could even ring the bell, the door swung open and a man stood there. He carried a suitcase in one hand and had a duffle bag thrown over the other shoulder, and Aiden stood behind him with bedhead hair and a wrinkled shirt that looked as if it had been hastily buttoned. Definitely not the put-together alpha he usually presented. Guess he wasn’t expecting to get caught.
“Hey,” the man grinned after the momentary surprise left his face. “You must be Quinn.” He adjusted the duffel and held out his hand, expecting Quinn to shake it.
Quinn looked down at the offered hand. Really, the alpha-hole talked about him to his booty call? What the fuck? He looked back up when the man cleared his throat, then over to Aiden who’d now stepped into the doorway as well.
The man dropped his arm and turned back to Aiden, who frowned and then shrugged.
“I’ll call you later,” the man said to Aiden.
“Alright. Let me know when you’re all settled, okay?” The smile Aiden gave the man suggested familiarity and affection, and Quinn’s heart clenched. So maybe more than a one-night stand.
The man stepped out of the house and onto the porch, bypassing Quinn as he shot the omega a look that saidwhat’s your dealbefore he turned away and went to his car.
Quinn stepped into the house and avoided eye contact with Aiden. He wasn’t about to be humiliated anymore. He was going to ignore the situation and pretend that none of it ever happened. And this would be his last day in this house.
“Quinn, I need to talk to you,” Aiden started as he shut the door and followed Quinn to the closet.
“There’s nothing to talk about.” Quinn didn’t bother looking his way.
“Well, you’re clearly pissed at me. I’m sorry I canceled like that last night. I want to explain.”
Quinn turned to look at him. “You don’t have to explain,” he said. “It’s clear that you decided on someone else, and it is what it is.” He turned back to the closet. “I have work to do.”
