Page 3 of Talk About… History

Travis was not having it.

“Come on, Brad. He’s not fucking kidding. Her brothers are fucking vicious!” Travis yelled, his voice high pitched and frantic now.

“Avery. Call off your brothers. Let’s talk this out like adults,” Brad said, his voice loud and condescending, though I wasn’t the least bit afraid. I was raised by three brothers who took over for my dads when they died too young. I knew how to defend myself and these two weren’t the fighting type.

Just giant walking red flags that I couldn’t wait to get rid of. I was a loyal omega and put my all into the people I cared about… but the moment you crossed me, you were dead to me.

There was no going back.

“Cameron meant want he said. You need to leave and let me pack. You aren’t going to see me again,” I promised. “I’ll be out and the apartment is yours tomorrow, my keys will be on the island.”

“Baby, no,” Brad said, his voice breaking. “It was a stupid mistake. Her heat was starting and it just… we went into a rut.”

I laughed then, so hard fresh tears were falling for a very different reason. She had played them and they were too stupid to realize it.

“She had her heat at the clinic two weeks ago you dumbass. She fucking lied to you. There was no rut, just pure and simple lust. You’re just a cheating bastard.”

A strangled noise was the last thing he managed before his footsteps faded as well.

Pulling up the security app on my phone, I watched the living room camera as they went from the bathroom to the master, shoving things in bags. They both froze at the same time and looked at the front door, before they were running, barely grabbing shoes.

The moment the door closed I dropped my phone, unlocked my nest, and ran for the front door, locking it behind them and sliding the chain into place. Only then did I let out a breath and let some of the tension bleed from my body.

I glanced out the peephole, nearly laughing as a burly man was smiling at the empty hall, likely where my douchebag mates had just been. I recognized him as one of Cameron’s old friends. He was from Rockwood Valley but had apparently moved to the city like I had. Not everyone wanted small town life. Right now, I was just glad he was there.

Knowing he was out there gave me reassurance enough that I could pack up. Though, as I looked around, tears threatened to fall again.

I’d never felt so broken and betrayed.

Thank fuck I wasn’t claimed by the bastards. They never wanted bites, said they were saving those for a special moment… clearly one that never came. Something I’d be forever grateful for.

Now, this could be a clean and easy break.

The man called through the door as I stepped away, not willing to open it. The last thing I wanted to do was chat with someone I barely knew while I was at my worst. It was downright humiliating.

I glanced out of the peephole again to see him leaning close to talk to me.

“Cameron says hello. You’re safe now, but I’ll keep watch a little longer,” the man offered before crossing his arms and settling against the wall opposite of my door.

My ringtone echoed through the apartment and I hurried down the hall again to pick it up. Sidney’s name was on the screen and I answered quickly.

“Thanks, Sidney,” I said as I put her on speaker. “They’re gone and Cameron’s friend is outside keeping watch.”

“Good, pack up. Me and your brothers are on our way,” she said, her voice almost giddy. I could hear the sound of her grabbing her things and closing the door behind her. “You’re finally coming home.”

She was right. After nearly seven years, I was moving back to Rockwood Valley. The place I ran away from to escape the pressure of three older brothers, a family legacy, and a town that felt suffocatingly small.

Now, I couldn’t think of anywhere else I wanted to be.

“We’ll be there in a few hours.”

Avery

Apparently, I had more things than I realized. That’s what seven years away from home will do to you.

Cameron, Maverick, Nash, and Sidney were knocking on the door by midnight. They had an array of boxes, coffees, and pizzas in hand.

Mav moved toward me first, pulling me into a tight hug. He was never one for words and simply let out a grunt that I took to say, “I love you” before letting me go.

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