Page 32 of Heat Hesitation

"I heard you guys just got approved to court at the OFA?" I change the subject. "Congratulations."

"Thanks, sweetheart. Are you a beta? I heard this place has some omegas around, but they all wear scent-blockers. And you," he points directly at me, "are wearing scent-blockers. So, how 'bout it, honey, how 'bout a private dance?"

"She's taken," a voice growls from behind me.

I flip around in surprise, "What the hell are you doing in here? I'm working. Go away."

"She doesn't sound taken. She's not bonded, either. So how about you take your fancy fucking suit and get on out of here," the meaty guy comes to a stand.

I roll my eyes. "I'll be back when your drinks are low," I tell the group, grabbing Theo's pompous fucking tie, dragging him toward the bar. I let go so I can duck below to grab Franky a water bottle.

"Dude, I told you guys to stop coming here while I'm working. Besides, what are you all up in arms for? Didn't you literally just tell me I smell like shit?"

"He did what?" Cass snaps from the edge of the bar. Zach's busy serving drinks on the opposite side, while Cass stands by the employee door, a few feet from Theo, with his arms crossed and a look of disgust on his face.

He turns to Theo, "You told your scent-matched omega she smelled like shit?"

Theo snickers, "Have you smelled her? It's terrible."

Cass's straight, serious face drops, and he starts laughing. "It's really bad. Her natural scent blends with the block, making it so much worse when she wears it. I don't get it."

"Alright, alright, let's all just stop making fun of me, okay?" I growl, ducking back under the bar to drop off Franky's water.

When I get back, Cass and Theo are hamming it up. Fortunately they've moved on from making fun of me, but I don't like this turn of events. I don't like it one bit. They do not need to be friends.

I work with Zach, serving drinks for people waiting at the bar between refilling my drink tray, making the rounds. It gets busier but not busy enough to distract me from Theo who pretends not to watch me all night.

It's exhausting.

By the end of the night, despite Franky's sunny disposition and enthusiastic energy, I'm cranky, tired and my feet hurt.

"What's wrong with you," Theo says. He doesn't ask, not with any inflection or concern. It's a statement, like, what's wrong now, like I'm the dramatic one.

I pout. I feel hot. I've been feeling hot for a few days. Ever since that night I was surrounded by all four of them, and I cried, letting my guard down. I really don't have time for a heat spike. Though I've not had a full heat since that one time years ago, mini spikes happen.

I keep thinking about Alma—the dreamer Alma, who keeps giving me advice in my head, annoyed on behalf of my alphas for not letting them court me or giving in to whatever the hell is happening between us. It's the weirdest courtship I've ever heard of.

Don't alphas shower their omega in gifts? Aren't they at least nice to them?

I glare at Theo, "Why are you still here?"

"Just wondering when you're done ignoring us so we can all move forward. This dance is getting old."

"This dance?"

"Oh, sweetheart, you know what I mean. You love that we're chasing you."

"Is that what you've been doing?"

He rears back, "Do you think I enjoy not sleeping? Or getting laid?"

"You are such a dick. Why are you here? I mean, seriously. Why not one of your brothers, one who actually likes me? Where's Asher or Enzo?"

He laughs. "Oh, honey—"

"Stop with the endearments; they are tacky and not as attractive as you think they are."

"Sully," he continues as if I didn't chastise him, "has convinced Asher to take a break from stalking you; it was affecting his work. Enzo, well, there's no stopping him from stalking you, but I left him in the car out front. He's probably staring a hole in the back door waiting for you to emerge."

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