Page 97 of Knot Happening

From the corner of my eye, I watch Easton smile as he takes the cup, but as soon as Mr Ferris turns his back, Easton dumps the cup into a potted plant sitting on the side table.

“Knock it off,” I hiss once more, and East winks at me.

I squint as I stare at him. What is he plotting behind those stunning eyes of his?

“Tatum, maybe you would be more comfortable in my recliner?” Ferris offers. I snap my attention away from the attractive Omega man beside me, and look up at the old man I once found to be a comforting presence.

Did it always smell like wet socks in here?

“I’m okay here.” I smile, but don’t want to move from Easton’s side. “I wanted to thank you again, for letting us stay here for the night, after our car broke down,” I say, watching as Ferris frowns at my rejection.

I’m suddenly very grateful that East sprayed me with the scent blocker. Even though the rain did a pretty decent job of washing a bit of it off. For whatever silly reason, I don't want Ferris scenting me tonight.

East and I will have to make another excuse again tomorrow, but I don’t know if my friend will be as willing to stay now that he knows who our host is.

I didn’t hide his identity on purpose, but once I saw East’s face as he took in the sight of the older man, I realized I probably should have been clearer.

“Oh, you know I’d do anything for you, Tatum. Whatever you need, I will always be here.” He’s focused on me so intently, that I start to squirm.

When I was young, I thought maybe he saw me as the daughter he never had. I saw him as a comfort for the missing man I’d lost at just eight years old.

Now I’m thinking that maybe he sees me in a very different way…

“Why don’t you have a pack, or a mate?” Easton asks, his tone cooler than I have ever heard it before. My mouth drops open, and I whirl around to face the rude ass Omega.

“Easton,” I scold. Again. That kind of question is considered impolite, and he knows that. Older Alphas who never formed pack bonds, or mate bonds, are often very lonely. It goes against their nature to be so isolated.

Like Omegas, they’re driven to seek out comfort from others, in one form or another. I’d always wondered the same, but I had never asked him, and I’ve known him a lot longer than East.

“I never found the right people.” Ferris looks genuinely wounded by the aggressive and insensitive question, and guilt swallows me into the couch. I sink back and try to hide how embarrassed I am.

“Hmm.” Easton tilts his head, still assessing my old teacher. “Yeah, I can imagine you had a difficult time finding people that fit your lifestyle.”

“I’m so sorry, he’s just a little socially awkward.” I jump to my feet, placing myself between Easton and Ferris.

“I understand, Tatum. I have been a teacher for a long time, after all.” Ferris smirks. “I’ve encountered many young people just like your friend. I’m not upset.”

After that, the tension seems to eventually fizzle out. Ferris is doing us a favor, and Easton is acting like he’s the enemy.

Men.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Easton

Tatum’s asleep in the room across the hall, but I don’t like the way the air shifts through the house. I can smell him. Herteacher. Ferris.

I know exactly what sort of man he is.

Easton: I think I’ve accidentally stumbled upon a mess.

Ghost: As one does.

Easton: It’s a solution to my safe house issue. Old fuck.

I’m still salty with him about the suggestion he made earlier.Pfft. Go stay with the Hayes brothers. Fucking lunatic. And he calls me looney toons?

Ghost: Unlikely, little shithead.

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