“Your mom’s a bitch,” James says, breaking the silence.
“She is,” I say in agreement.
“If you could move out tomorrow, would you?” he asks. His eyes connect with mine. He doesn’t smile; honestly, I’m not sure I’ve seen James truly smile, but I know I’d like to. I throw the stack of red skittles in my mouth and chew before answering him.
“That’s the plan.”
“She has plans?” he says with a smirk.
“I’m tired of feeling like everything is out of my control,” I say, confiding in him.
“I can understand that.” I nod my head. If anyone understands, it’s James. He’s an Omega just like me, except he has everything that I want.
“But you have an amazing pack,” I blurt out before I can think.
He smirks and leans back, the back of his head resting on the back of the lifeguard chair. “I love Ezra and Ian. But I’m more than having a pack.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.”
“I know you didn’t, babe,” he says. I melt into the chair as he says it. He acts like he didn’t just call me a sweet name as he continues. “Do you ever feel like you were born with the wrong designation?”
As much as I might hate some of the stigma around being an Omega, I can’t say I’ve felt the same way, so I shake my head no.
“That makes sense, you were meant for this. Sometimes I feel like I should have been a Beta.”
My eyes widen. “Don’t most people want to be Alphas?”
“I like my personal space, my alone time. It’s hard getting that as an Omega.”
“I wish I had less personal space,” I say under my breath, and James laughs. His laugh is soft but damn if it doesn’t make goosebumps cover my whole body. “How’s Ian?” I ask. I haven’t seen him in a few weeks, and he hasn’t spoken to me since Ezra picked me up that night.
“He’s fine, a little stressed.”
“Why is he stressed?” I look over at James, and I know worry is written on my face.
“Can’t seem to focus lately.”
“Mmm,” I hum and try to think what might be bothering him. “He hasn’t been over for family dinner in a while. None of you have.” I may sound a little pathetic, like the highlight of my week was when they came over. James takes pity on me and lightly squeezes my thigh.
“I’ll change that.”
“Really?” I say excitedly and look over at him. He’s looking at me in a way I’ve seen him look at Ezra before. Like he’s fascinated with me. Surely he can’t be fascinated by anything I say or do, but it makes me feel cared about nonetheless.
“Yeah, how about Sunday?”
I have to work Sunday, but I should be able to have dinner first. I’m just so excited to see them all again. I nod my head eagerly and smile. “I’d love that,” I tell him. He squeezes my thigh one more time.
We sit on the tall bench just a breath away from each other in silence, enjoying the breeze from the ocean and looking at the dark vast space in front of us. It’s the most untroubled I’ve felt in years.
Chapter 5
James
“Ishouldgetyouhome,” I say to her. I don’t want to break this moment. She looks so happy to just be sitting here with me and enjoying the summer air. Like there’s nowhere else she’d rather be. Like we can just enjoy the same space together.
Luna is the epitome of what an Omega should be, and I can’t help but find myself attracted to her and her eagerness. I’ve known that Ian is attracted to her, I mean we all are, she’s beautiful. But there’s a difference between being attracted to someone and actually pursuing them as a partner.
I could sense in her answers that maybe we’re this pack that she wants but can’t have. Maybe I’m projecting, but I’m hopeful.
