Page 67 of The Omega Project

“It’s a little complicated,” Emily interjects, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. “I’ve just come out of my first heat a week ago, and we’re both still trying to settle back into our regular designations.”

It’s the cover story we agreed on before we left, but I can see the interest on the faces around us. I try to think of a way to placate them, when Emily gives a squeal that makes me jump in my seat.

“Oh my God!” she gasps, staring at the laptop on the coffee table in giddy shock. “Isthatwho I think it is?”

Emily

As much as I want to fit into this room of effortless cool people, I can’t stop the squeal that bursts out of me when the video call connects. Jack has been fiddling with the laptop while Griffin edges closer to Soren, eyeing him like a tasty sandwich he wants to slip under the grill. My palms are sweating in sympathy, and there’s a protective edge to my voice when I trot out our agreed cover story for Soren’s scent. I’m on the verge of making a hasty exit, when the tap of drumsticks on a metal surface draws my attention to the laptop, and I see a shaggy-haired guy with bright green eyes and a panty-melting smile grinning back at me. “Oh my God! Isthatwho I think it is?”

The sweet-looking brunette sitting next to him tries to hide her grin, but Silva Sterling’s smile just grows wider. “Hey, fuckaroos! How’s it hanging?”

“Switcheroos,” Jack corrects him with a roll of the eyes, still fiddling with the laptop. “Is my computer broken, or are you always this damn loud, Silva?”

“Just living my best life,” he quips back, wrapping a muscular arm around the brunette and smacking a kiss on her cheek. From what I can see, they’re on a beach, their tour bus parked up in the distance. “The weather’s great, the crowds are hungry, and Cass is feeding me so many treats, I’m getting a spare tire.”

He stands up suddenly, pinching the skin of his washboard stomach and giving us an up-close view of the damp boardshortshanging off his slim hips. I almost swallow my tongue, but a glance around the rest of the group reveals expressions ranging from fond to amused. No one, except for Soren, looks as surprised as me.

“You’re switches?” I ask, then almost bite my tongue off, because I’m being a massive hypocrite after the way I defended Soren’s privacy.

But the most talented drummer in the world just laughs, twirling his drumsticks as he catches his mate’s eye. “How would you rate that knot I popped last week, babe? An eleven out of ten on the inflation index?”

It’s Cass’ turn to roll her eyes. “Please excuse Silva. He’s just excited to meet new people. I’m Cass, the band manager and mate.”

Of course, I’ve read about Cassandra Rain, the small-town baker and sister of the former drummer, Stephen “Stix” Rain, who caught the eye of the Sundowners and became their mate. It’s a story as tragic as it is beautiful, and I’m pretty sure I have stars in my eyes as Soren and I introduce ourselves. The conversation quickly turns to an update on their concert tour – and then I almost hyperventilate when a shirtless figure appears in the background.

“Keep up the fluids, darlin’. It’s hot out here.” The guy presses a chilled bottle of water into Cass’s hands, and when he drops a kiss on her head, my suspicions are confirmed. That honey-toned man with the big body and wild beard is Kobi freaking Grace, lead guitarist and Memphis royalty. He sketches a wave at the camera and then is gone, jogging down the beach behind them towards the waves. It takes me a moment to gather enough moisture in my mouth to say, “He really calls you darlin’.”

“He’s her favourite,” Soren says helpfully at my side. “When Lang bought her a Sweet Addiction tee, she almost melted the crystal embroidery off swooning over him.”

“Drummers have better reflexes,” Silva mutters with a pretend pout, before leaping up and disappearing off screen.

Cass gives me a small smile. “You have a daddy of your own, Emily? For some reason, they seem to congregate around switches, right, ladies?”

“Mmmm,” says Maddie, a coy smile playing on the elegant blonde’s lips. “I have a couple that qualify.”

“Us too,” Lexi says, catching Jack’s eye and laughing. “Only, one of them is Jack’s brother, so he probably doesn’t like hearing that.”

“We definitely have a few,” Kat says, earning a snort from Clark. “I mean, our guys would probably be insulted if they weren’t included.”

Given that her pack includes two international rugby players, a soccer star, and the former captain of the Argentinian polo team, I think they can all be safely classed as daddies, in one form or the other.

Soren, meanwhile, is taking inventory of our own pack. “Creed, maybe?”

This earns a nod of acknowledgement from both Kat and Clark, who know Creed through their gym. Clark’s eyes dance as they meet mine. “Yep, I’m pretty sure that guy has the daddy touch.”

“Lang is kind of bossy,” Soren grins, sipping on his cocktail. “But that could be the PILF vibe.”

“Professor Langston Fall,” Jack says with a waggle of his brows. “I’m not sure if the bike or the big brain is hotter.”

That leads to a conversation about Lang’s latest book, Jack’s new lab at the university, and the six degrees of separation that seem to connect this group. There are just too many linkages between us for it to be coincidental, and I have to wonder if it’s an outside influence like the soulmate phenomenon, or something more human but just as powerful…

“Finn,” I murmur, blushing as I realise I’ve said his name aloud.

“Excuse me?” I look up to find the whole club staring at me, Jack’s gaze borderline concerned. “You mean Finn Visser?”

“Hey!” Silver squawks, peering at me through the screen. “Are you trying to summon a demon, Red?”

I’d probably faint at the fact Silva Sterlingjust gave me a nicknameif all my defensive instincts weren’t roaring to the surface. “Finn isn’t a demon! He’s gone out of his way to protect Soren and me, over and over. And he’s done more to help switches than you’ll ever know.” I bite my lip, realising I’m on my feet and lecturing the founding members of the Switcheroo Club. “I just mean, there’s more to him than great hair and soulful eyes.”

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