Page 49 of The Omega Verse

Cookie used to tell me that the best way to end a fight is to put some food on the table. No one can stay mad when they’re drooling over a delicious spread. I’m hoping that applies to grief as well as we return to the kitchen and I start rummaging in the oversized refrigerator. It’s stocked to the gills, which I guess makes sense since someone has clearly been keeping the house move-in ready.

“I’m thinking I might stay here for a couple of days until I need to go back to work.” I tell them as I start preparing the pancakes, along with a cheese and bacon frittata and some raisin toast. “You’re all welcome to stay, too, just in case it needs to be said.”

Silva is behind the counter with me, whisking eggs and stealing blueberries, but he pauses to study the other guys. “Maybe it’s a good time to talk about what comes next.”

Jett is fiddling with the top-of-the-line coffee machine as he says, “R&R for another week, and then we have the Hall of Fame gig on the 28th. We’ll need to be in Melbourne for that.”

“Hall of Fame?”

River is laying cutlery on the glossy dining table, but he looks up to give me a bittersweet smile. “Yeah, The Sundowners are getting inducted.”

Jett snorts. “They just want to make it official in case we break up.”

I nearly drop the frying pan on the floor. “Are you going to?”

The guys exchange a long look. “It’s different without Steven.” Jett glances at Silva. “No offence, man.”

“None taken. I get it. But if you guys want to keep playing, I’ll put my hat in the ring. The only thing is, any touring and stuff will have to work around Cass, too.” He’s resting his elbows on the counter and he props his chin on his hand as he gazes up at me. “I plan to insert myself into her life in a borderline stalkerish way.”

My breath catches in my throat. “Really?”

“Yeah, if you’ll have me.”

I duck under his arm, coming up between him and the counter. He doesn’t hesitate to pick me and put me on it, hooking my legs around his hips. I bury my face in his neck, drinking down his scent. “I want that. A lot.”

“Fucking awesome,” he rumbles, making me laugh, and then he dips his head to give me the sweetest kiss. “Yum. And you taste like freshly juiced alpha, too.”

I swat his chest, mortified, but I can hear Tom laughing behind me. “You sure you want to take this larrikin on, Cass?”

I shake my head, but Silva is Silva. And perfect, if I’m being honest. “Yes. As long as you help keep him in line.”

Tom grunts. “It’ll be a challenge, but I think I’m up to it.”

“Double fucking awesome,” Silva whispers in my ear, eyes dancing, then slaps my butt and heads over to Tom. He throws himself at him like a spider monkey and my mate puts up with it, laughing like everyone else. I just pour batter and munch blueberries, and try to resist the urge to pinch myself.

When we settle down to eat, Tom looks over at Kobi, who’s happily filling his plate with his third serve of pancakes. “What about you, brother? You heading back to the States anytime soon?”

Kobi’s gaze flicks my way before he says, “I’d planned to visit my mom for her birthday in a couple of months, but other than that, I was waiting to see what you guys are up to.”

Jett looks at him curiously. “I thought you and your brothers were talking about another tour.”

“Nah, Oakley just found out he’s having a baby and Jordan got invited onto some reality TV show.” He rubs his chin and shrugs. “Officially, we’re on a hiatus, but I think we’ve probably reached the end of the road.”

I drop my fork in horror. “Really?”

The guys chuckle at the devastation on my face, but Kobi thumbs his bottom lip as he watches me over his coffee cup. “You want to hear me sing, you just have to ask, darlin’.”

Heat crackles between us as my gaze clings to his bottom lip, and Silva cackles. “Yeah, except she’s probably been crushing on one of your bros and she’s just too nice to tell you.”

“Nope.” Oak and Jay, as they’re known in fan circles, are both really cute, but I’ve only ever had a thing for one of the Grace brothers. “I mean, the picture on my bedroom wall has the twins in it, but I chose it because Kobi is front and centre.”

The table goes silent as the guys all stare at me. Crap. I just admitted to my crush in front of my crush. And that I hung his picture on my wall like a teenage fangirl.

Kill me now.

Kobi is staring at me with a small smile, but Silva just squeezes me tighter. “How come I didn’t see this picture when I was at your place?”

I bite my lip, hating how goddamn awkward I can be. “We didn’t make it as far as the bedroom, did we?”

---