Page 174 of Ashley & the A-Listers

As one, the three of them turned to him, and panic rose in River’s chest.

They know. They know you’re the odd one out. The beta. The problem.

“We can use this to come clean,” is what Cameron said, turning and facing River, slipping off Ashley’s lap. “We can go public. This is our chance.”

Cameron was… smiling?

His grin was widening as he approached River, as he grabbed his hands and tossed his phone onto Dylan’s bed. “We can be a couple. Part of a pack. And get dinner together, and hold hands.” He squeezed River’s hand, and hope gleamed in those pretty hazel eyes.

River felt lightheaded. Cam was none the wiser. They didn’t know it was him.

Maybe… maybe this mistake would work out? Maybe this disaster didn’t have to be all bad? Maybe River hadn’t fucked up beyond repair.

Not if Cameron looked this excited.

“Is that what you want? A pack out of this? This pack?” he asked.

Cameron nodded. “But only if we all want it.”

Did River deserve it?

No.

Did he want it?

Happiness, with Cameron? Out in the open?

More than anything.

“I want it,” River said, the words raw from the pure truth. Emotions were high and he wasn’t sure if he was relieved or scared, but tears welled all the same as Cameron embraced him. “I want you.” His voice cracked on the words.

In whatever way Cameron would have him, River would give himself.

“So… we’re doing this?” Cam asked as they broke away. He thumbed at River’s cheek and then half turned so he could face River and Dylan and Ashley at the same time. “We’re a pack?”

A grin was curling Ashley’s cheeks, and even Dylan was cracking a smile. River was the only one still wiping tears away.

“We’re a pack,” Ashley said, and growled playfully before picking Cam up with an affectionate squeeze.

“We’re a pack,” Dylan said, nodding once, and somehow it felt like a vow.

River felt the buzz of hope and elation in his chest, and tried to give himself over to it.

“We’re a pack,” River repeated, and let Cam pull him into the hug.

His plan had technically worked. Cameron was going to come clean about him, about the pack. They were together.

So he should feel relief, right? Not this… itchy, uncomfortable indignation.

You got what you wanted.

But he couldn’t shake the idea that he’d traded one secret for another.

39. PACKING UP

ASHLEY

I knew you guys would make a cute couple,is the text she received from Nic.

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