At least when I’m with Luke, my throat doesn’t close up because I can’t find the right thing to say. Even when it’s awkward with him, it doesn’t feel like his end goal is to fuck me.
“That’s not an option,” I say.
“So, you didn’t like it when I kissed you?” she asks, blinking up at me. My heart pulses with guilt, because I enjoyed it more than anything I’d felt in years.
My alpha side is cheering, urging me to make a move. It would be so easy. I needed to get in closer, to taste her skin, to kiss her again, because our scent match is so powerful.
She smiles as Kane murmurs to her again, and the jealousy that swims through me at how obviously close they are shows me how I really feel.
I want to be part of that, I want to be with them. But only if Luke is here with me. He’s my omega, and I want the same closeness with him as Ollie and Kane share.
If Luke’s actually moving out, I have to use tonight to tell him what I really want and find out if he wants the same thing. He’s closing the door between us, and I need to do everything I can to keep it open.
I don’t realize I’m scowling until Ollie lifts up on her tiptoes, pressing her thumb against my furrowed brow, stroking down along my nose. That one touch has sparks dancing over my skin, even though I haven’t been able to feel anything in my nose since the accident.
“Why do you look like that?” she asks softly, close enough that the very tip of her nose bumps off mine. “Did I do something wrong?”
I take her wrist, lowering her arm so I can slide my hand into hers. The pure force of attraction that pulled us together in the past still hums there, and I soften into it. I want to stay with them, but I can’t lose this chance with Luke.
I lift her hand to my lips, pressing a kiss against her fingers. The barest hint of maple syrup teases my nose, and I groan in relief. Scenting anything is a blessing, and these twins have been sent by angels.
The desire that flares in her pink cheeks is the same as mine, and I don’t want to give it up. But I have to make things right with her brother first before I can think of stepping toward her as well.
“You’ve made me realize something important, and I don’t want to lose this chance while I have it.” Ollie keeps watchingme, and I smile at her as I force my hand to open and release her, but I suspect it comes out as a grimace.
“I'm sorry, rain check on dinner?" I say hurriedly. I know I'm being a dick, but I might lose my chance if I keep sinking into my desire for her. "We can meet again once your brother has moved out. Right now, I need to talk to him.”
I don’t give either of them a chance to stop me as I dart away and run down the tunnel to find my omega.
Kane
“What are you going to do?” I ask her, holding onto her tighter than I need to.
She won’t run after him, not yet, but I still don’t want to let her go. I want more time with her before Timber sweeps her off her feet with a romantic dinner—without me.
I’m surprised when she sighs, tilting her head to the side so she can press her ear against my cheek.
“I don’t have any choice, do I? Hopefully, traffic is bad, so I can catch a train and get back before him. Then I can rip off this costume before pretending to Timber that everything is okay in his world.”
I nuzzle her again, hoping to layer my scent on her. Even if Timber can’t scent me, if she steps onto the train smelling like an alpha, people will stay the hell away from her. Everyone else in the tunnel left when Timber did, so I had her all to myself.
“Are you sure you want to put yourself through this?” I ask her mainly because I want her to come with me. She never accepted my offer to live in my house, and I can’t see her agreeing unless she’s desperate. I don’t want her to have to beg for anything apart from her alpha’s cocks.
She stiffens, letting out a sigh before she lifts her head.
“I can’t do this, Kane. I was trying to pretend I’m okay because my friend and Timber were here, but there’s no reason to now.”
My grip falters as she jerks away, turning to face me, and the anger that flashes there makes my heart drop.
“You’ve been standing there grinning and flirting the whole time, but why the hell did you force us into this?” she asks, her tone hard. She throws me off guard with the sudden change, and I blurt out the first thing I can think of.
“What? What do you mean, I forced you? You didn’t need to come as Ollie. You didn’t have to dress up like this,” I shoot back. I made it sound like it was her fault, and we both know exactly who’s to blame.
“No, I didn’t. I didn’t have to come at all. But I wanted to see my alphas play their sport. I wanted to spend time with my friend and forget about all the crap that I’ve dumped on myself. I needed a chance to be normal so I can stop feeling like I’m being crushed inside every time I’m away from you both.”
“Ollie…” I reach for her again, but she shakes her head as she steps away.
“You asked me if I wanted to put myself through this, like you weren’t the one who made this up. There is nowayTimber would get it into his head to invite Luke and Ollie to a game unless someone put him onto it. It’s not like I’ve kept it a secret how messed up I am over all this.”
