"Bea?" Mom calls from the living room. "Is that you? Who was?—"
"It's me! Everything's fine! Going to bed!" I take the stairs two at a time.
"But it's only—" Dad starts.
"Very tired! Long day! Goodnight!"
I make it to my room and shut the door, leaning back against it with my heart pounding.
Through my window, I can see Ben and Grayson still talking in the driveway. Ben's gesturing. Grayson's nodding, arms crossed, looking entirely too relaxed for someone getting the protective brother talk.
I collapse face-first onto my bed.
That was a disaster.
Seth saw me with Grayson and looked hurt. Ben's going full protective mode. I still haven't dealt with the River situation. And I told River I had to meet Ben at Millie's—but ended up having dinner with Grayson instead.
"I am such a mess," I mutter into my pillow.
A few minutes pass. Then my phone buzzes.
Ben:We need to talk tomorrow. About everything.
I groan. Of course.
Another buzz.
Grayson:Your brother's protective. I respect that. But he's wrong—I'm not being "nice." I want you. Same as I did in that alley. Sleep well, Bea.
I stare at that second text for a long time.
I want you.
Not past tense. Present. Still.
Which means Grayson's interested. Really interested. And not hiding it anymore.
Just like River. Just like Seth.
Three alphas. All interested in the same confused, overwhelmed omega who can't even manage to text her brother back without creating a crisis.
And Grayson's right—they weren't being nice. None of them were "just being nice."
River told me he was attracted to me. Seth told me about his first kiss—with me. Grayson held me against him in that alley, forehead to mine, and told me exactly what he wanted.
They all want me.
And I—god help me—want all three of them back.
The realization sits heavy in my chest. Not scary anymore. Just... true. My body's known all along what my brain has been fighting.
I pull my pillow over my face and groan.
Tomorrow. I'll deal with all of this tomorrow.
Right after I figure out how to face River at work after lying to him about why I needed to leave, apologize to Seth for hurting him, explain to Ben that I'm not losing my mind, and somehow address the fact that Grayson Cole just admitted he's still pursuing me.
Easy. Totally manageable. Just another normal Tuesday in the life of Bea Wilson: Professional Disaster.
