"I'm not apologizing."
"Q, if Chad cries, I'mrecordingit. I'm making it my ringtone. I'm going to set it as my alarm. I'm going to..."
"Focus."
"Right. Focused. Very focused. Laser focused. That's me."
Across the locker room, Chad's voice cuts through the noise like a foghorn. He's not even trying to be subtle about it. He wants people to hear him and know about his plans. It's a dominance display, like a peacock fanning its feathers, except the peacock has a spray tan and an inflated sense of self-worth.
"I'm thinking two grand, easy," he announces to Kevin and whoever else is listening. He's standing on the bench between the lockers, literally elevating himself so everyone can see him. "She's worth it. Coach's daughter, man. Thestatus."
"Bro, imagine if I won her instead," Kevin says from below. "She'd finally see what she's been missing."
Chad laughs. "Nah bro, she wants an Alpha. That's me. Betas don't have what it takes." He flexes for emphasis, as if his biceps are somehow relevant to this conversation.
Kevin's smile flickers, just for a second. "Right, yeah, totally."
"No offense, Kev."
"None taken, bro."
He's clearly offended. His jaw is tight and his eyes have that wounded look, but he plasters on a smile anyway. Classic Kevin.
"Anyway, after I win her, I'm thinking dinner at Castellano's," Chad continues, getting louder as his audience grows. A few guys have actually stopped changing to listen. "Really fancy. She'll be so impressed she'll forget all about playing hard to get."
"Smart, bro. Women love fancy."
"Women." I mouth the word to Quentin, barely containing my disgust. God, these two are a matching set of red flags sewn into human-shaped containers. Some part of me is worried, though. Who does Iris like? Does she have a crush or a preference? Would she even want a scatter-brained Omega like me?
I glance at Quentin. His expression hasn't changed, still that neutral mask he wears like armor, but his scent has sharpened a little. He's going to enjoy destroying them. More than he should.
Same, honestly. I already can't wait.
I pull out my phone and text Avery before I lose my nerve. My fingers fly across the screen while Quentin finishes changing beside me.
Milo:so we're bidding on the coach's daughter tonight
The reply comes almost instantly.
Avery:excuse me WHAT
Milo:fab feb. she signed up. we're going for it.
Avery:you're insane
Milo:yes and?
Avery:and i love it. do it. report back immediately. i need to live vicariously through someone else's chaos for once
Milo:aren't you literally dating your stepbrother
Avery:THAT'S WHY I SAID FOR ONCE
Avery:my chaos is settled. i need fresh chaos.
Milo:you're my favorite enabler
Avery:i know. now go get your girl
