Page 53 of Broken Dreams

Callum and Duncan crane their necks to read my words before looking at me.

“Quinnie, this is the bare minimum we can do for you,” Callum says before taking a breath. “Okay, hard stop. Your name. What do you want us to call you? I keep wanting to ask.”

Shit.I’ve been Makayla for a really long time. I’ve always loved my real name, though. I can’t think of anything I’d want more than a name I have good memories with.

Linus settles next to me, and I now have three people waiting for me to decide.

Quinn, I write out, turning the notepad to face them. Since that’s decided, I pick up my fork and begin to twist pasta around it. In my mind, I’m done with the conversation.

Duncan huffs out a laugh, shaking his head as he begins to eat.

“You always have been very succinct, Sweet Girl,” Callum murmurs as he also picks up his fork.

I can’t answer because there’s a kaleidoscope of flavors hitting my taste buds. I’m currently chewing my first bite, and I moan as the seasoning used on the meat, the garlic, ricotta, fucking all of it is a party in my mouth.

“It’s really fucking good,” Linus groans in agreement.

“I’ve never been this hard during a meal,” Duncan says, hiding a smile as he eats.

“I’m really happy you like it,” Callum says, amused.

Along with the scent of food, I can smell rum, coconut, dark molasses, and my own lilac scent. They all meld as if they’ve always been together. Is that what it’s like to be scent matched? I still don’t feel thepullthat’s discussed when biology and fate override everything else yet.

Bret is a dick.

This is his fault.

“What is that face about?” Callum asks. “I know it’s not because of the food.”

Putting down the fork for a moment, I write out the thought I had, along with:My nose is fucked.

“Mine too,” Linus says, seeing what I wrote. “I expect it’ll take time to work through whatever he’s been giving us. We’ve been getting those injections for years.”

Sixteen mother fucking years.Ugh. I hate him.

Picking up my fork again because I’m hungry and I refuse to allow the tiny dicked alpha to ruin my appetite, I continue to eat.

Callum and Duncan keep the conversation light as we finish, probably so I won’t get side tracked. It’s a pain to stop eating to have to answer each time I have a response to a question, which is why no more are asked for the duration for dinner.

“Anyone want more?” Callum asks. After years of never eating enough, I’m stuffed from a single plate. Shaking my head with a smile, he nods as he begins to clear the table.

“Okay, first order of business is to find the right hair cutting shears,” Duncan murmurs, turning the computer to face himself. I haven’t touched anything electronic in years.

I’m a little jealous at how easy it is for him.

“Quinn, you used to be a beast as a coder,” Callum says from the sink. “Any interest in getting back into it?”

My enthusiastic nod as he glances at me makes his lips split wide in a grin.

“Truth be told, you were better than me,” he admits. “Morris is really good too, and I know a guy named Caelin who’d probably be willing to take you under his wing if you surpass us both.”

The simple way he offers me resources makes me squeeze my thighs tightly together. God, does this make me easy?

“I found what looks to be the simplest to use and recommended for cutting hair,” Duncan says, clicking onsomething. “I have some basic things here at the house, but I want to get what you want and need.”

“We have clothes, toiletries that are our own, and beds. I’m pretty sure I’m set,” Linus says, shrugging.

The funny thing is that he’s serious and I agree as I nod.

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