Page 19 of One Wild Omega

“Whiskey, rocks,” Tanner said before walking closer to the bar. “And give me the good shit.”

“I figured you for some fruity little drink with an umbrella in it,” Fitz said.

“You assume a lot when it comes to me,” Tanner snapped. “Perhaps too much.”

“Are you getting yourself into trouble, Walker?” the bartender asked as he poured Tanner’s drink.

“A friend of yours?” Tanner asked Fitz, trying to hide the jealous tone that had no business creeping into his words.

“We both grew up in the same neighborhood,” the bartender said as he set the drink on the narrow ledge of the portable bar.

“Oh? And where’s that?”

“Southside,” Fitz answered. “Far away from the Highlands and their big fancy houses where you grew up with a silver spoon in your mouth.”

“It was far from silver, trust me.”

“Yeah, someone who grew up richwouldsay that.”

Sure they’d had money. But they’d also had two dead parents, an aloof grandfather, cold mannies, boarding schools, and expectations Tanner would never live up to even if he wanted to. Tanner had rebelled against it all—becoming a(gasp)artist. He’d dyed his hair, gone full bohemian, bought a studio and apartment downtown, as well as a basic car. Nothing flashy like the sports cars both his brothers preferred. Sure, he liked to party and dress well, and maybe he spent a little more there than he should, but otherwise, he didn’t throw his money around. Not that he technically had any. He needed to be fully mated before his inheritance kicked in. For now, he lived off his brothers largesse.

Tanner eyed Fitz and saw the familiar anger brimming in the alpha’s eyes.

“Ah,” Tanner said before draining half the whiskey with one gulp. Which was likely a mistake. The fire there might spark the smoldering inferno Fitz had left behind. “Isthatthe reason you don’t like me? Because I came from the other side of town?”

Fitz’s jaw tensed, and Tanner wondered if that truly was the reason Fitz was so hot and cold with him. But it didn’t answer why they had landed on hot in the last few confrontations.

“I never said I didn’t like you.”

“You never said you did, either,” Tanner added.

“Nope. I suppose I never did,” Fitz said before draining his glass. He turned to the bartender. “Another.”

“You sure you don’t want a break, man?” the bartender asked.

“I saidI wanted another,” Fitz spat.

“Yes, sir,” Harvey replied and took Fitz’s glass and refilled it with bourbon before passing it back. “There you go.”

The conversation lulled after Fitz’s non-answer and his obvious desire to get totally shitfaced. Tanner realized he wasn’t going to get that answer, and even if he did, he might not like what the alpha said. After finishing his drink, he spun to return to the party. But before he could take more than a step, he felt a hand bracing him. Tanner’s back was dragged up against Fitz’s chest.

“I’m not done with you.”

He could smell the liquor on Fitz’s breath. He was drunk. Probably heartsick over Bellamy and drinking to forget. Again. Just like the last time.

Yet all Tanner wanted to do was lean back against his alpha. To yield.

Too much had happened between them over the years… too many little hurts and slights that had added up. Tonight included. He’d seen the love in Fitz’s eyes when he looked at Bellamy. Fitz had never looked at Tanner like that. And never would. “I’m afraid you are.”

“Meet me tonight.”

Tanner shuddered and hated that he had. Hated that Fitz had likely felt the reaction.

“Tonight,” Fitz said again. “I’ll come to your place. Around eleven.”

Eleven? A booty call? Seriously?“You’re drunk.”

“We can finish what we started at Quinn’s old place. I haven’t forgotten. Have you?”

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