Page 50 of Knot Happening

Okay, so I’m a bigger wimp than I thought because the second I walked into that empty ass apartment, I lost my shit. I must have cried in Kodiak’s arms for a solid ten minutes, but the moment I saw my mother's empty bed, I sobbed like a little bitch for another thirty.

Then I took a long hot shower, packed a bag for work, and got my ass out of there. Cruising down the street to the club goes faster than before. I won’t admit that the easily shifting gears on the new bike from Hayden make the ride easier.

I’m here several hours early. We’re not even open yet. I’m hiding in the break room, trying to fix my new budget.

Math has never been my strength. I need to write it out several times, so I know I haven’t fucked it up.

“Tatum!” Dream sees me and makes her way to my side, pulling me in for a hug before I can stop her. I don’t mind it, she’s very affectionate, always hugging everyone. “Thanks for the hours yesterday. I’m trying to save up for a new car,” she huffs, and I nod, understanding the need to save up forsomething big. After Declan sent me home, he called Dream in to cover the rest of my shift. Most nights, we work the same shift, but we do have to have a day off eventually. Unless we get asked to cover someone. Yay, bonus hours!

“Of course. Thanks for covering for me.” I smile, and she gets an eyeful of my budget all written out.

“Jeez, nearly ten grand a month? For what?” Her eyes are wide, and I sigh.

“My mom.” I don't elaborate. I can’t. I might start crying again. I’m not usually so emotional, but I swear these suppressants Declan sold me are ass. I need to buy more. I never did get that extra pack.

“Damn. Well, the next time I get a group room, I’ll convince them to bring you in. You know how some Alphas go wild for Omega on Omega dancing.” She winks at me, and I tilt my head, looking up at her gratefully.

“That would be amazing.”

“I heard there will be a huge group tonight, too. I have to go clean up the floor and get ready, but I’ll talk to you soon.” She gives me a little wave as she leaves. My chest tightens because the last time I had a friend like her, he fucked me and then ditched me. Not that I’ll be fucking Dream. I am glad to know her, though.

I get lost in the math and don’t notice when someone walks up behind me.

“Boo.” Hayden’s so close that his lips graze my ear, and I shiver violently.

“Fucker,” I swat at him as he chuckles, pissing me off even more. “Why are you here? You don’t work tonight,” I grumble, and he smirks.

“How do you know my schedule?” He wiggles his eyebrows at me, and I roll my eyes.

“Shut up.”

“Shut me up.” If the way he wiggled his eyebrows at me wasn’t enough to give away his meaning, then his tone sure would.

“Leave me alone,” I complain, stuffing everything into my bag and getting up to go get ready. I’ve sat here so long that it’s nearly time for me to clock in. Hayden moves until he’s in my way and refuses to let me around him. I stomp my foot and look up at him. “What?” I grumble. I expect him to be smirking or making some equally annoying handsome face, but he’s got this look like he’s about to confess to murder, and I frown. “What's wrong, why are you looking at me like that?” He’s making me nervous.

“There are a lot of Alphas coming in tonight. Not all of them are good men. Be careful, and try not to attract the attention of the really shitty ones.” Hayden lifts his hand until he’s rubbing the back of his neck. “I’ll be around if you need me. Please, try not to get anyone killed.”

“What? What does that mean? Don’t get who killed?” I jerk back, my heart doing a little flip at his words.

“Any man puts his hands on you without your permission, then I’m cutting them off. You can wear them as a necklace.” The wink and dimpled smirk are devastating to an Omega’s libido.

“You are unwell. You need help. Seriously.” I shake my head and pretend the thought of him being psychotically overprotective isn’t sexy as fuck. “I’m single, Hayden. Alphas are going to touch me. Especially the paying ones.” I shrug. Even though I’d absolutely rip the arms off any Omega that dared to touch him in front of me. I have no right to feel possessive, and yet…

“I am in fact very unwell when it comes to you, Starlight. And I said without your permission for a reason. I’m not naïve to your role here. But no means no, and we take that very seriouslyin this classy establishment.” He puts on his authoritative voice, and I snort as he puffs his chest up.

“Oh, yeah? Is that why you ignored my demands to be left alone in the parking lot? Because you take no oh so seriously?”

“We were outside the club.” Hayden shrugs, and I burst out laughing. He’s fucking shameless!

“If anything happens, I will follow protocol and alert security like always,” I call out over my shoulder as I make my way to the locker room.

“And then I’ll dismember them,” he shouts back, and I snort. This guy.

Absolutely unhinged.

“Jeez, they’re being so handsy tonight,” I grumble to Dream, as I place the next drink order on my tray.

“I know! But the tips are insane. I think I’ve made over three grand!” she whisper-yells, and I shrug. There is that, I guess. If I’m not careful, one of them is going to end up handless, if I believe Hayden’s threat. Every once in a while, when I make the mistake of letting my eyes wander the room, I catch sight of Hayden prowling the floor like he’s just looking for a reason to beat someone up.

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