Arlo told me about his visit to the studio where Logan had recognized Forest and everything had spilled out.
“Why would you assume either of them are interested in me?”
Arlo barked a laugh. “Because I have fucking eyeballs. Logan said it outright, and Hunter can be as subtle as he wants, but him wanting you isnotsomething he’s capable of hiding from me.”
I sighed, pressing a hand to my forehead where a headache was rapidly making itself known. “Please don’t tell Meadow. I don’t want anything to be weird.”
Arlo looked like I’d handed him a chocolate lava cake filled with gossip, but given my current state, he wisely kept his mouth shut. “Lips are zipped. The pack is waiting to see you off, and then we can head out. Meadow booked your flight.”
He plucked my suitcase out of my hand, already walking away so I was forced to follow. I slung my purse and carry-on over my shoulder, and held onto my composure until I saw Meadow and the rest of her pack.
A group hug didn’t help my emotional situation, but I appreciated them caring. Forest gave me a cheek pat for the road, his little nails like razors on my skin.
“Don’t you dare grow up too much while I’m gone. You’re obligated to still be a sapling when I get back.”
“I’ll send you so many updates,” Meadow promised.
“You’d better.”
Arlo put my suitcase in the trunk and I melted into the passenger seat. This was one hell of a way to get my mind off the pack who had wormed their way under my skin.
Once we were on the road, Arlo swept his gaze over me. “So, was that a yes or no on telling the alphas you’re leaving town? I can tell them for you.”
“You can if you really want to.”
“Any others in the pack you’re sweet on?”
I shrugged. “I’ve slept with all of them, if that counts.”
“I was going to make a comment, but then you might hit me, and we’d plunge over the cliff into the sea.”
“Seems likely.” I stared out the window, since that seemed to help keep my lip from wobbling too much.
“They’d probably appreciate knowing something big is happening with you. I know I would if I were in their shoes.”
“I don’t think they need to know what’s going on with a random fuck buddy.”
Arlo’s confusion was tangible in the air. “You don’t want to be more? At all?”
“It’s not that.” I swallowed hard, licking the chapped sensation from my lips. “It’s complicated. Remember how weird you got when it came to Meadow because Hendrix had already had her?”
“Meadow was a scent match.”
“And I’ve slept with all four pack members. You can’t tell me someone’s not going to get weird about it.”
“It’s only weird if it’s not something you want. That’s kind of how most things work.”
“Yeah, well, I don’tknowwhat I want, and the drive to the airport to go see my dad in the hospital is not when I’m going to figure it out.”
“Okay, okay,” Arlo surrendered. “I won’t breathe a word about the potential for these guys to be your scent matches. I thought you might like a distraction.”
I wrapped my arms around myself as a surge of self-pity swept through me. “I do, I’m just tired.Tootired to consider anyscent match nonsense, but I appreciate you being cool about all of this.”
“I’m always cool.” Arlo beamed.
“Agree to disagree.”
He squawked, immediately offended, and I couldn’t help but smile.
