Page 67 of Knot All is Forgiven

Snagging a book from my bedside table, I fall back into the story in an attempt to get my mind off of Jordan. It doesn't work, though. The female main character becomes Jordan, and I picture myself as the man trying to win her affection. I'm halfway through the book when my phone starts to buzz.

I nearly drop it excitedly when I see that it's not a phone call.

It's a video call.

A video call!

I look at my sloppy bed and stained grey v-neck and panic. I rip the shirt off over my head, sit up, prop a pillow behind me, and throw anything that would be in the video frame to the floor.

When the call cuts off.

I missed the fucking call.

I missed the fucking call.

Just like I did all those years ago when she tried to call me and I didn't answer our weekly call.

Before she can spiral, I call back, and she picks up immediately. I wasn't fast enough, though, because her eyes are shiny, and there is no smile on her beautiful face.

"I'm so sorry, Jordy, I was…" I almost told her a lie and said I was in the bathroom. But I don't want to start this off on a lie. "I was lying in my own filth and didn't want you to see it."

My words take her by surprise so much that she snorts out a laugh. Her red hair is piled high on top of her head, and she's got this fuzzy grey sweater hanging off one shoulder, showing off the bite that graces her gorgeous flesh.

Jealousy lights me up.

I want my bite in her skin. I want everyone to see my mark on her.

"I don't remember you being a slob, Rafe."She smiles, reclining back on what looks like a cloud.

"Oh, I just hid it from you very well. Can't have the girl you crush on thinking you're gross." Despite my olive skin, I can see the red flush overtake my cheeks with my declaration in the tiny rectangle that shows my video. As teens, our relationship never progressed past quiet crushes and cuddles. Jordan was the most vocal of us, stating she knew she was our Omega, but that didn't translate into much of a physical relationship.

"A crush on me? I had no idea!"She laughs at my expense, and it is the most beautiful sound I've ever heard.

"Where are you?" I ask, squinting to try to get a look at her background.

"Oh, my nest. Icarus is cooking dinner, and he likes to sing loudly while he does so, so I came in here for some quiet."

"Can I see it?" I ask quietly. I know how special and private a nest is to an Omega, and maybe I'm overstepping. But I want to see what she has put together. I want to know what kind of things make her feel safe.

"Oh, you want to?"When I nod, a smile lights up her face."Okay, sure."

She turns the camera around and takes her time pointing out all the features, her favorite parts, and the things she's added since she presented. I'm not surprised she had a nest since before she presented. She had one even as a kid. It's why everyone was shocked when she never presented. All signs had pointed towards her being an Omega from the start.

When she sits back down and turns the camera back so I can see her, I quietly tell her, "Thank you for sharing your nest with me, Omega."

"You're welcome, Alpha."Her eyes widen, and her face flushes, my designation having slipped out unintentionally. But it still makes my heart soar. I push down my joy, though, not wanting to call attention to it.

"So is Icarus a good cook?"

I can tell she's grateful I am not bringing up what she said. The tension in her shoulders releases, and she clears her throat."Yeah, pretty good. Neither of us is a chef or anything, but we eat well enough when we're tired of takeout."

Icarus is an interesting man, and I'm glad he's so careful and protective of Jordan. She deserves that. He must say something from the door of the nest because she turns her head to the side, listening to him. I notice how her collarbone juts out and how defined her jawline is. She looks much thinner than she was when we were teens, and her eyes are sunken and purple underneath.

"Do you need to go?" I ask her when she turns back to the phone. "It's okay if you do."

"No, I can stay for a bit. Unless you need to run?"

"Nothing could take me away right now." Silence descends between us, and I know there is so much I need to say to her. I just don't know where to start. "Jordy, I'm so-"

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