Page 55 of Broken Bonds

I jog over to my truck and hop in quickly.

She’s got me curious about where she’s taking me with her reaction, but honestly, she could probably take me straight to the pits of hell and I’d follow if it meant information about Lake.

ChapterFifteen

RAMSEY

I don’t knowwhy the first place I could think of to take Link to is the diner Forde took me to after the rage room. Maybe it’s the homey feel to the place, or the fact that I’m absolutely craving those damn fries Forde couldn’t stop raving about. I’m disappointed in myself for completely agreeing with him on the fact that theyaresome of the best fries I’ve ever had. I really want to try one of the other combinations I’d seen last time.

Hopefully Forde doesn’t get upset over me bringing Link here. Or hell, I’m sure he’s brought both Link and Rion to this place, so I don’t know why I’m worried.

I quickly park in front of the diner and wait as Link parks next to me.

We meet at the doors, and he chuckles, shaking his head.

“I see Forde showed you where to get the best fries in a fifty-mile radius.”

I smile slightly when he holds the door open for me.

“Yeah. He brought me here after he took me to this rage room thing.” We walk in and find an empty booth quickly, taking a seat. “I’m not sure if he told you about taking me there, but it really helped. Letting all my frustrations out by smashing a bunch of stuff was something I needed and didn’t even realize. I needed a push, as you said earlier. Although, I’d say he more pulled than pushed.”

I chuckle as I think of Forde and how he’d bribed me with a story to coax me out. A sad story, but he knew it’d pull me out because his sister’s story was much like my own, and I desperately wanted to hear about what happened. I can’t help but feel even more connected to the big alpha after our day together.

“He told us. I’m glad he didn’t upset you by just showing up at your house out of the blue. Forde is a great guy and a wonderful alpha. I’ve known him for almost as long as you knew your alphas. He cares far too much for people, even the ones he doesn’t know, so sometimes he inserts himself in things where he’s not always wanted. You can imagine that it doesn’t always end in his favor.”

Before I can respond, Linda is at our table, smiling down at me with an affectionate gaze.

“You’re back. I see Forde has turned you into a fan as well. Link, good to see you.”

It’s a little jarring to realize that they’ve been here long enough to become familiar with the people to a point that they can converse and interact with a certain level of fondness.

“Linda, always a pleasure seeing you,” Link responds, a grin aimed her way that has her blushing.

She smacks him with her notepad, chuckling. “You boys and your flattery. What can I get you two to drink?”

I order a sweet tea, a sudden craving for it coming on that will not be ignored, and Link orders a Coke. Once Linda leaves us to peruse the menu, my eyes are drawn to the loaded fries’ section almost immediately and I scan over my options almost ferally, growing hungrier and hungrier the more I look. The babies kick and squirm as my belly grumbles, hunger pains hitting me every once in a while.I’m feeling the consequences of having not eaten anything all day.

I pout the longer I stare at the various options, indecision weighing me down. They all sound so good. How do I choose?

“Everything okay over there, Sunshine?”

I glance up, eyes wide. A tingle zips across my sternum, a warmth taking up residence in my chest at the endearing nickname Link suddenly called me earlier. I’m not even sure if he recognizes he’s done it yet. Part of me finds it adorable. Another part of me wonders what is wrong with me to enjoy another alpha calling me a nickname. It’s a juxtaposition.

“Sunshine?” I ask, raising a brow.

Link’s cheeks turn an adorable shade of pink and I have to tuck my lips behind my teeth to keep from chuckling.He clears his throat, one of his hands coming up to rub at the back of his neck, which has his arm flexing in a way that draws my eye. I have to blink furiously to look away, and I frown at myself becausewhat the hell?

“Yeah. You… It’s just, you have this shine to you, deep inside, despite the shadows shrouding you right now. It’s as bright as the sun, just begging to come back out.”

My breath catches in my throat, and tears fill my eyes, but I blink them away quickly. I wasn’t expecting that.

I clear my throat, choosing to ignore the way his words make the empty place in my chest beat again. “What are you getting?”

Link huffs out a laugh and shakes his head slightly. “You struggling with a bit of indecision over there?”

He quirks a brow at me, causing me to narrow my eyes and scowl back at him. Omegas are notorious for being indecisive at times. It’s why their alphas are important.

Dammit. I don’t want to think about how, if Rule or Ollie were here, they’d order for me, like Forde did the other night. They’d know that I’d never be able to make a choice with so many options laid out in front of me. It’s actually kind of frustrating.

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