Page 6 of Talk About… Rivalry

Everyone always thought that I was this bubbly, happy, playful person, and I sank into that role. It was comfortable there—the sarcasm came naturally—and I never wanted anyone to know just how bad I was hurting. Maybe it was too many years living with my dad, but I couldn’t imagine just spilling my guts to someone else.

Even if it was silly, a part of me still longed for a pack that would swoop in and claim me. They’d whisk me away from this life and take away some of this darkness that lived in me.

It was a silly dream. I was just a pathetic adult still living on her family’s land, not truly able to let go of this stupid ranch or my family, because they were all I had.

Even though I don’t think they’d notice if I was gone, outside of the fact that no one would be able to tame my uncle’s skittish horses.

Reaching into the bag my uncle gave me, I tossed a few more carrots and apples, leaving a trail that was a little bit closer to the fence. I wasn’t going to push it today—this was about as far as I would get.

Uncle Dale learned a long time ago that I was never going to rush these horses. It was dangerous to do so. Sometimes, earning their trust could take days. He always joined me at the end when they were more comfortable.

He’d sit out here with me on and off, make his presence known, and then take over when the horse was less afraid. Mainly because I refused to. This was his project, his horses—they were never mine. I refused to do anything that would tie me here for too long.

I continued my sketch, perfecting Taylor’s cheekbones while she slowly munched her way through the snacks. I didn’t want to give her more than I already had. I just needed her to get closer, to know that I wasn’t going to hurt her.

By the time the sun started to set and my bones were aching from being curled up on this dusty ground, I finally stood, giving her a soft smile.

“Good job today, sweet girl. Same time tomorrow?”

The sigh she gave me had me laughing, but I still kept the sound soft before sending a text to Dale to let him know I was done.

I packed up my things, gave her a soft goodbye, and started to walk away. When I glanced back, she was at the edge of the fence, looking over as if trying to figure out where I was going and why I was leaving her behind.

My heart hurt for her, but it was about time for me to head into town. I was meeting Avery at Whitaker Brews, and that meant I got to see Maverick tonight.

Just one off-handed smile from him could make my day, and I needed that today.

God, I'm pathetic.

Maverick

“Hey, the viewers want to know if you ever smile, Mav,” Cameron teased, giving me a slap on the arm as he moved around me to take another order.

I gave the camera a dry look and shook my head.

“No. Smiles are for the weak.”

It was a joke and Nash barked out a laugh. My two brothers and I were always considered ‘the triplets’ in town. It wasn’t until we were older they even bothered to try and tell us apart.

Now, it was easy. We were three polar opposites, from our style, to our hair, to our personalities.

A lot of close brothers might pack up, but that was never in the cards for us. We were family and that wouldn’t change, but the thought of sharing an omega with them was crazy.

Cameron had found a mate early on in high school. Even if he fucked it up and has been miserable since. She was amazing,but more like a sister to me, completely platonic, and not a scent match, which meant she wasn’t our omega, just his.

Nash was into feisty, but sweet girls. The best of both worlds, he called it.

I was into… one girl.

Sidney Vance.

She’d haunted me from the time we were all old enough to notice omegas. When she walked into a room, it was like the world lit up a little brighter. Her laugh was contagious and she was always cracking a joke. Her sarcasm was sharp and I always found it sexy as hell when she put other people in their place.

See, Sidney and I were about as opposite as you could be but in the best ways. Where I would generally bite my tongue, she wasn’t afraid to let her words fly. I was a man of few words and she could talk for hours… and I could listen, hanging onto every word.

There was just something about her that I couldn’t put my finger on, something deeper that made me realize that she was more complex than anyone ever gave her credit for.

Sidney was a hard worker. I’d seen her do more physical labor than most alphas could manage. She was fit from working on the farm, her skin slightly bronzed from the sun.

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