Page 5 of All In

Since finally getting the nerve to break up with Will, I’ve been out a few times, and I always tell myself that I’m going to be brave and approach someone, even if no one comes to introduce themselves to me.

I’m zero for three on actually doing that, but I have high hopes for tonight.

I stick close to Courtney and Steff, since I know them the best.

There are so many bodies and scents all crammed together that it doesn’t take long for my senses to get overwhelmed, which leads me to the bar for a fruity drink I immediately forget the name of.

With so many people around, I get hot fast. My nose guides me to follow whiffs of a scent to a smoking-hot alpha, who asks me to dance with only a bit of flirty lash batting.

“Do you want another drink?” he asks after the third song.

“I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” Steff says, grabbing my arm. “Come on. Court got us into VIP.”

I would never spend extra money just to go upstairs, but this place is packed.

“Can I bring…” I frown, looking up at the alpha.

“Mike,” he says, nodding with a wide smile on his face.

“Well, I’m certainly not going to leave you down here without supervision.” Steff laughs. “Let’s go.”

Mike places his hand in mine and drags me along as we follow Steff to meet Courtney near the stairs. It would be nice if he could move the people out of my way, rather than dragging me into them.

I ignore it because there are a ton of people. We get to the stairs and make our way up to the next level with a couple of guys who were waiting with Courtney.

The VIP area is smaller and more subdued than downstairs, which initially seems nice. Until I spot Will at one of the curved booths. Locke stands at the end of the table, leaning against the wall and looking like he’s assessing for threats.

I’m not a threat.

Clearly.

However, my heart drops into my stomach when I see Kennedy, one of the girls I came with from work. She’s all over Will, and he seems totally into it.

It’s totally fine.

Or it should be.

It shouldn’t bother me a bit.

Except, it kind of does.

It’s even worse because I’ve heard rumors he was cheating on me before we broke up. It would have been nice if everyone at work could have warned me while we were together. It took until the other servers heard we broke up for the stories of his infidelity to make their way to me.

My thumbs run over my palm as I try to keep from fidgeting at the sight. My shoulders bounce one by one as I try to literally shrug off the discomfort. I’ve done a lot of research as an adult, and I know it’s a form of stimming, especially when it feels like a compulsive act like it does right now.

My primary care doctor agreed that I likely have some form of ADHD to go along with my OCD, but she referred me to a specialist who would have to make the formal diagnosis. Unfortunately, it was like a two-year wait to be seen when I set up the appointment.

My toes curl and unfurl as I try to force myself to look away from Kennedy and Will.

His response to my breakup text was okay. He didn’t even apologize for the incident that morning when I was leaving his penthouse.

If I had his stupid spare key with me, I’d return it right now, just to be done. Except, I wouldn’t hand it to him, because he’s busy sucking face with Kennedy.

I’d give it to Locke, but only from a safe distance to ensure I didn’t get smacked with his delicious smell.

My cheeks feel warm as I recall the multitude of sex dreams I’ve had involving him over the last few months. They always end with me waking up, swearing I can smell his scent.

They’re so intense and realistic that I’m not sure I can look him in the eyes ever again. Not that I would need to. We don’t interact anymore without Will to bring us together.

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