Attie grins and then burps. “Lie all you want, brother, but I’ve got news for you. You like him.”
Arbor slaps a hand over his face and shakes his head. “This is terrible. Why are you here, Glenn?”
“Forest wanted me to tag along, and so here I am.”
“Forest?” Attie stands up so suddenly, the entire table rocks. “I have something for him.”
He grabs something from the cabinet and disappears outside, leaving me and Arbor to stare at each other.
“I wasn’t following you,” I manage to say. “I really am here for Forest. This is the pack he wanted to visit.”
“Same, I’m just here to see Attie.”
Our eyes lock, and he bites his bottom lip.
“I missed you,” he says, and my heart flutters in my chest.
“Yeah, missed you too.”
His cheeks flush, and he peers up at me. “How long are you here for?”
“We leave Sunday.”
“Same.” He lets out a long breath. “Where are you staying?”
“No clue. I think at Red’s place. Or at least that’s what I assume.”
“I’ll be staying here, or at Ten’s.”
“Who the fuck is Ten?”
Before Arbor can answer, Attie is back in the trailer, his eyes bright. “Arbor has a history here, don’t you, boo?”
Arbor scowls at his foster brother. “Attie, stop it. I mean it.”
My head cocks, that earlier flutter turning into something slightly sharp and painful.
“Been around a few times,” Attie adds, and Arbor scowls at him.
“I’m an omega, of course I have been.”
My jaw clicks, but I refuse to rise to the bait. Not in front of Attie, anyway. He seems like a shit stirrer.
“Can I speak to you outside?” Arbor asks, his voice almost pleading.
I let him lead me to the door, and his hand brushes against mine as we step out into the forest. My head knocks against a doll head hanging from one of the overhanging branches, andI scowl at it. But I don’t touch it or bat it away. Just let Arbor lead me forward, somewhere we can speak privately. Probably because Attie is leaning out the door and trying to eavesdrop.
When we get far enough away, Arbor turns to face me, his cheeks pink, his eyes slightly wild. I can smell a hint of cinnamon on him, but it’s muted.
“You wearing that pendant again?” I ask, and he nods.
“I only take it off for you.”
My lips turn down even if my chest swells at that. He allows himself to be vulnerable with me, and I like it. But I also hate that he thinks he needs to mask for everyone, that his scent is a bother to everyone around him.
“I get it.”
“I hope you do. I’m not always welcome here. Being part fae is something this clan doesn’t really like, but they allow it for Attie’s sake, and because I’m still part omega. So, I like to mask my scent as much as I can when I’m here.”
