Page 64 of Talk About… Rivalry

I gestured to his face and he frowned at me. Maverick Whitaker was an intimidating presence, but all I could think now was that he seemed small.

“As someone who is one hundred percent sure she is my scent match, let me tell you all one thing. If you want her, make it clear. We’re not fucking children. Pull up your big boy pants and fucking talk about your feelings. Being cold and distant will only end in you being alone and losing out on one of the most interesting omegas I’ve ever met. I won’t let you push her aside and string her along.”

My gaze flickered from one to the next as I spoke, softening as I reached Taylor. From the way she relied on him they were already past that point.

“I have,” he confirmed, glancing over at the other two. “I’m not going anywhere and she knows it.”

“Good,” I said, raising an eyebrow in challenge at Maverick.

“You’re not the fucking leader of this pack,” he argued. Apparently his default when backed in a corner and facing his feelings was to be a dick. Noted.

“Oh, I am,” I confirmed. “Taylor and Sidney are both my mates and I’ll be looking for a more permanent place to stay tomorrow.”

“Stay with us,” Leo said, glancing at Taylor to confirm. My omega blushed furiously, his dimples almost deepening in the color on his cheeks.

“Of course,” Taylor said, nervous as hell but putting on a brave face.

“Don’t worry, omega, I’ll give you the space you need,” I promised in a firm tone. “I wasn’t here to intimidate you and crash into your lives. I will only move forward when I know it’s what you both want.”

“I do want it,” Taylor said. “I just… need her first.”

“Then we can be close and stay friends. Whatever you need,” I reassured him. I could be a patient man. It would make anticipating the softness of his skin and the needy whines from his lips that much sweeter.

“I’m not in a pack with a man trying to ruin my family business,” Maverick snarled.

“Then be alone without an omega who could change your life,” Taylor growled right back. “She’s fucking worth it. If you can’t see that then you’re an idiot and don’t deserve her.”

He stood up and started clearing the table. Maverick sat there, stunned, unsure what to say.

Leo stood with a deep sigh. “I’m going to try to make my own amends. I encourage you to do the same.”

He started to walk away but stopped and turned back to Maverick.

“I hope you can let this go as well. I’m not going anywhere and neither is my business. It was already approved by the town, Maverick. It’s a lounge with live music and jazz, not a bar like yours. We aren’t the competition and this rivalry will ruin our future if we don’t get it together.”

When Leo walked away, I turned to Maverick.

“Trust me, as someone in this business… you are not the same. Take a day or two and think it all over. Just know I’m not letting you string her along. She deserves better.”

With that I dropped a few bills on the table and started to walk out. Taylor was nowhere to be seen and I could read a situation enough to know that he needed space.

When I was finally in my room ten minutes later, I couldn’t resist checking in on Sidney.

Bennet: Give it time. Your pack will come together, Sidney.

Sidney: I don’t have a pack

Bennet: You can lie to yourself all you want, omega. You are mine and I won’t be going anywhere. I doubt the other three will either.

Sidney: I’m going to bed.

It seemed my mate wasn’t quite ready to accept reality, or too afraid to. Meanwhile, I would be focused on making sure her pack is worthy of her and can give her everything she needs.

She deserved nothing less.

Sidney

The waiting room was filled with a mix of pregnant and nervous omegas. I was definitely in the latter category. My leg was bouncing incessantly while my fingers twisted in the hem of my shirt.

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