Page 26 of Slick Handling

They’re family and I think it’s illegal in most places to fuck family. At least, it should be.

“Oh,” My head snaps around and I see Clover standing in the doorway to the kitchen.

Her blonde hair is messy, eyes puffy like she has been crying, and her face is not filled with that sweet joy it had been holding this morning.

She lifts one of her bare feet, running her toes down the back of her calf. The way she crosses her arms, drawing what looks like one of the guys hoodies tighter around her.

Something about seeing her like this, vulnerable, and sleepy makes my heart tighten in my chest. Something in me telling me to take care of her.

I had tried to take care of Terry but I hadn’t done a good job if she left.

“I thought everyone was sleeping. I just wanted something to drink and Mickey said that the kitchen is never closed and I could always get something if I was hungry and thirsty. And I’m thirsty. And I can't sleep. Sleep is strange, isn’t it?” The way the Omega babbles when she’s uncomfortable is adorable.

No.

Not adorable.

She is not sweet.

She is not cute.

She is not mine.

“Come sit down, Cherry Girl. I was about to make myself a sandwich. Do you want to go halfsies?”

I’m the absolute worst.

Halfsies? What in the Middle School girls vocabulary have I gotten myself into?

No more nicknames for her. Just use her name or grunt. Maybe do a smoldering glare like Griffin has perfected. Be aloof and mean. Don’t get too close to her.

Temporary.

This is all temporary.

“You’re so nice, V!” She comes closer and sits on the stool. Her feet kicking back and forth as she pulls the hoodie over her hands and plays with the sleeves.

At least she’s not fully comfortable either.

It’s not lost on me that she called me a nickname. The same one my best friend calls me. I’m not going to let myself over think it too much.

Pouring her a glass of water I set it in front of her before going back and starting to grab everything that I need to make us a sandwich to share. Trying not to think too much how nice it is to take care of her.

She’s quiet as I build us a sandwich with way too much care. If she hadn’t walked into the kitchen I would have taken a spoon and a jar of peanut butter to the couch and watched sports highlights. The fact that I am going through all these extra steps for her is a bad sign for me.

Today was her first day of classes and if I was a good Alpha I would ask her about them. But I am a bad Alpha. Not her Alpha.

Apollo let me know what was going on earlier. I’m aware she had a rough go at things but that is going to be something she will work out with her pack. She will find Alphas to take care of her and help her heal.

We’re not for her. His family told them all that while I was in rut.

She is not ours.

Don’t get attached.

Has anyone checked on Mick’s understanding of that?

“How was your day?” I can’t help myself. I was raised to be polite and polite people make small talk. She shrugs her shoulders and I think I prefer when she is babbling to when she is quiet. “First days can be hard but it gets better.”

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