“Like sixty?” Her eyes glittered with mischief.
I growled and lunged for her, almost falling flat on my face. She just laughed and skated out of my reach.
“Come and catch me!” she shouted over the loud notes of “Funkytown.”
After a while, we took a break to eat shitty burgers and nachos with neon yellow plastic cheese, and then we cheered Westin on as she dominated the arcade games. After seeing her get the high score on the third game in a row, I wondered if I could set up an arcade for her at my apartment. But as I thought about it, I realized I couldn’t picture her in my apartment. It was too cold and impersonal and nothing like what she deserved. What I really wanted was all of us living in a large house with a beautiful nest for our omega and a massive basement arcade.
I swallowed hard. I’d only known the guys for a few days and already things feltright. I felt closer to Henry and Bear than I ever had with my first pack. Even Liam was… acceptable. He cared about Westin, even if my alpha bristled at being around him. But I could tolerate him for our omega’s sake. Westin was the vibrant, brilliant glue bringing us into her orbit.
Then doubt crept in. Things had felt right with Megan, and then I’d been blindsided. Westin had agreed to use this as a trial run for our pack. When it came down to it, was I really needed here? When I imagined my future without Westin, all I saw was cold darkness.
“Last song for the night,” the old man announced.
Westin squealed, taking my hand and dragging me onto the rink as “Sandstorm” by Darude started to play.
“This isn’t even a disco song,” I shouted over the loud, pulsing beat, but Westin was already dancing along, throwing her hands in the air and swinging her hips.
“I love this song!” She grabbed my hands and forced my arms to move to the music.
“Come on!” she shouted to the rest of the group, urging us all into the center of the rink.
The music built to a crescendo and I was mesmerized by the sway of Westin’s hips, even if it was in time to EDM. Bear pounded his fist in the air, and even Henry joined in with the worst dance moves I’d ever seen. I moved as much as I could without falling on my ass.
We formed a tight circle around Westin. Her eyes were closed as she danced, her hair fluttering around her like a halo. The disco ball lights danced off her hair, adding to her radiance. For just a moment, it felt like the magic Westin talked about swirled around us as we all danced together in a shitty skating rink in the middle of bum fuck nowhere.
“Thanks for being a good sport.”Westin snuggled into my chest once we were back in the car.
“Not sure how good of a sport I was.” I felt slightly guilty about how grumpy I’d been about it all. In the end, it had been… fun.
“You were great,” she said, patting my chest. “Well, not at skating, but not everyone can have my innate talent.”
I couldn’t stop my smile. “You’re right, princess. Not all of us can be as incredible as you.”
She leaned in and kissed me, teasing my lower lip with gentle nips before settling back against my chest.
Tonight was my night with Westin at last. I couldn’t wait to have her to myself, but I was also nervous. There was still uncertainty between us, and I wanted it gone. I wanted her totrust me completely, but I was having a hard time trusting my place by her side.
We pulled back up to the hotel and I helped her out of the car, keeping her hand firmly in mine the entire way back to our suites.
63
WESTIN
Nervous butterflies fluttered in my stomach as I waited for Gray to be done in the bathroom. It was our turn to have a night together, and I wasn’t sure why I was so nervous. Gray had been attentive and caring these past few days on the road, but I still had the feeling that he was holding back, and I wanted more.
I fidgeted with the strap of the lacy black bodysuit I was wearing under my tank top and sleep shorts as I waited on the bed in the plain hotel room. I’d worn this outfit to give myself some courage… and to entice Gray, if that became necessary. We’d only had sex the one time, and I found myself growing insecure that he hadn’t made a move since then.
Gray stepped out of the bathroom and I had to stop myself from pouting when I saw him wearing a black t-shirt and gray sweatpants. He was entirely too clothed, although the sweatpants were a nice touch. He walked over to the bed, and I stood on the mattress so I could wrap my arms around his neck. Now, I was a few inches taller than him.
“I’ve missed you,” I said.
A line appeared between his eyes as he frowned. “I’ve been right here.”
“Are you sure about that? Sometimes it feels like you’re pulling away from me.”
The tightness in his jaw told me I hadn’t been imagining things.
“I’m just not sure I fit here,” he finally said.
