Page 49 of One Wild Omega

“Well, it worked for your brother when Bell was mad at him. Figured I’d take a shot.”

Tanner crossed his arms over his chest. “Go ahead then. Take your shot. You have thirty seconds.”

Fitz lowered the flowers to the side table beside the door before turning to fully face Tanner. “What I said was unfair, and you didn’t deserve that. I’m sorry.”

Tanner pretended to look at his non-existent watch. Then he lifted his stare, trying to act bored. “You done?”

“No. I’m not.” Fitz lowered his head and frowned before lifting his stare. “I don’t understand what it is about you that turns me into this…uglyperson. I don’t like who I am when you’re around… yet…” He paused, stopping mid-sentence. “I wanted you to know how sorry I am. I wish I knew why we rubbed each other so wrong, but I don’t know that we’ll ever figure it out.”

“Maybe not,” Tanner murmured.

“I’ve been offered a chance at a promotion… it would mean a move. Maybe it’s for the best. I can get a fresh start, away from here. Away from everything. You and I wouldn’t be in each other’s radar anymore, so you wouldn’t have to worry about running into me again. Or saying things I don’t really mean.”

A move? Tanner’s gut clenched in panic. Even as angry as he was, he didn’t want Fitz to go. “Don’t.”

Fitz frowned. “Don’t what?”

The truth was on Tanner’s lips, but he couldn’t say it. He eyed Fitz and saw the expectant look on his alpha’s face, and the words nearly dripped from his lips. “Don’t… don’t let the door hit you on the ass on your way out of town.” Inwardly, Tanner cringed.Dumbass. Dumbass. Dumbass. At least he’s making an attempt…

Fitz lifted a brow, but remained silent. “It’s only a chance… I might be going anywhere.”

“Well, we can only hope,” Tanner said and wanted to kick himself after the words automatically flew from his lips.

Fitz watched him for a moment before he sighed. “Well, Itriedto apologize. I hope you have a nice life, Tanner McCreary.”

Tanner watched as Fitz left—all while a voice screamed within, telling him to stop the man. Paralyzed with emotion, he could only stand there, silent.

Silence wasn’t his forte.

Wasn’t he the one who liked to hear himself talk? That’s what he’d been told… and yet he felt planted to the spot on the floor and unable to move. Finally, he took a step forward and walked out into the hall. “Fitz?”

The alpha paused mid-step and turned to face him.

Please don’t go. Please don’t go. Please don’t go.“If you going is meant to be… and it’ll make you happier… then I wish you all the best. I really do.”

Fitz eyed him a moment, as if sizing him up. “Thank you.” He looked down a second before lifting his stare. “I wish you happiness, too, Tanner. I know it seems I don’t… but… I do.”

The alpha turned back and headed for the elevator. Tanner slunk back into his apartment and locked away the outside world, Fitz included. He pressed his body against the door, barely able to breathe.

Like I said. Fate fucked up this time. He and Ibothneed to move on.

As with anything else, that was easier said than done.

* * * *

Sunday Dinner at the Walker’s…

Fitz slipped in through the front door of his childhood home. A chorus of hellos arose from his huge family as they welcomed him inside. Almost immediately, the small house filled with big bodies gave him a case of claustrophobia. He wormed his way over brothers and nephews until he found his papa in the kitchen with Luke. It was the one room most avoided because their papa would scoot them out in a heartbeat. “Hey, Pops,” he murmured before leaning in and giving his papa a kiss on the cheek.

Morgan Walker turned to eye Fitz and began drying his hands off on a dishtowel tucked into his apron. “About time you showed up. I was starting to worry you weren’t coming.”

“Me miss Sunday dinner? Not on your life,” Fitz said, smiling.

“You’d never hear the end of it,” Luke said. “I’ve already been guilted over the fact I have to work the next Sunday dinner.”

Their papa looked indignant. “Are you the only cook in that restaurant’s kitchen? No. I ask foroneSunday a month. You could take off.”

“Like I said… we have a big wedding reception to cater that evening. I can’t ask the grooms to change their date,” Luke argued. “It’s a huge event, and they need all hands on deck.”

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