All I want is to gohome… but I don’t have one anymore.
FOUR
I curse Thatcher for having a valid excuse to miss tonight’s get-together. My friends are amazing, and I love spending time with them, but I rarely get any alone time with my mate nowadays. I’m spending what little free time I have with my frat brothers and their antics.
Why couldn’t I have a big test to pretend to study for, like Thatcher? He doesn’t even take computer science, that jerk.
I also can’t deny my omega anything, and Kit really wanted to make an appearance. Therefore, here I am.
“What the hell are you drinking, Ci?” I ask as I stare into the bright green liquid emitting from his cup.
Ciro laughs. “Kendall and I may have gotten a bit carried away while making the punch earlier.”
“It looks radioactive.”
“It just has a lot of lime. I could get you guys some. Unless it’s too sour for you,” Ciro quips as his smile turns teasing.
I return his banter. “For me, it might be. But Kit loves anything with citrus. Right, love?”
When Kit doesn’t respond, I turn to look at him. His darkhair lays as messy as ever, his shirt baggy with some kind of anime character on the front. I bite my lip. I can’t get enough of him, but he doesn’t seem to notice my ogling one bit. His green eyes are concentrated on the front door, completely zoned in on it as he idly twirls his drink in his hand.
“Kit?” I put my hand on his shoulder, and it seems to jolt him out of whatever daze he is in.
His gaze finally settles on mine. “Hmm? What’s up?” He winces when he sees our expressions. “What did I miss?”
Confused but curious, I let a laugh escape me. “Just Ciro trying to get us drunk off some concoction that was probably better left uninvented. It has lime and candy rocks and everything else that’ll rot your teeth.”
“That sounds amazing. I’d love some,” he says quickly. “Show me the way.”
Ciro lets out a belly laugh at the amusement on my face but still motions toward the kitchen. “Follow me.”
I’m barely left alone long enough to wonder what my mate was thinking about, because Dax and Everett find me almost immediately. They’re good friends, some of my best, and they’re very good at keeping one distracted from all the murkiness of life. It’s hard to be around Dax and not be absolutely lit up with joy. Even for someone like me, who doesn’t always feel free in my happiness.
In normal fashion, Dax gets tugged away by one of our frat brothers. Everett looks at me, a large smile on his face, but I wouldn’t expect anything else. He is recently bonded and the prime of his pack. He probably feels on top of the world most days. I wish I could relate.
I spot the bite hiding beneath my friend’s shirt and stifle a sigh. I want Kit to bear my mark more than anything, but I won’t push the issue until he’s ready. Until we’reallready.
“How are things going, Sam?” Everett asks sincerely. Myknee-jerk reaction is to lie and walk away, pretend that everything is fine. To not show any weakness, stand tall, but it’sEverett. I don’t have to hide from him.
“Thingsfeelfine,” I finally respond. “But my instincts are going a bit haywire. Like I’m not giving Kit everything he needs, and it’s driving me crazy.”
He tilts his head, almost in thought. “Are Thatcher and Kit still not connecting?”
I give an instinctual nod and then shrink at how fast the response came. “They’ve stopped trying, but they haven’t said anything about it to me.”
Thatcher is hard to communicate with. Sometimes, I feel like I can read him as clearly as he can read me, but other times, it’s a guessing game. I know he feels like an outsider in this pack for not scent matching with Kit, and that solemness makes me anxious. Like I’m letting everyone in this pack down by not being able to lead us into some kind of understanding.
Everett sees the struggle on my face and asks, “Is that why you two haven’t bonded?”
My lips flatten. Kit’s reason for wanting to wait is his own business, something that only an omega can understand. I don’t want to discuss something that isn’t mine to discuss, so I shake my head. “There are a few reasons, but we’re working through it.”
Everett nods, understanding as always. “You two love each other. That’s all that matters.”
The heaviness in my shoulders releases slightly. Acts of service have always been my love language, but affirming words have been a welcome bonus the past year or so.
Still, something teeters in the forefront of my mind, standing right in a blind spot. “I know, but I feel like I’mmissingsomething?—”
My attention darts to the door the moment it slams open, awhirlwind of icy air invading the space as someone walks in. Unruly orange curls appear, masking the newcomer’s face as she closes the door with a huff, her hands full of grocery bags. When she turns, I can finally see her pale face, her brown eyes puffy and her cheeks wet. I’m not the only one who notices, either.
