Page 27 of Puck Your Friend

Jace leads me upstairs. His hand brushes close to mine, then pulls back. He flashes a grin over his shoulder. “Come on, follow me upstairs. My room’s the coolest.”

Logan snorts behind me. “More like the smelliest.”

I press my lips together to hold in a laugh.

The second-floor hallway opens wide, five doors are spaced along both walls. Jace throws open the first door proudly, revealing a room with a dark wood bed frame, neatly made navy bedding, and shelves stacked with video game and anime collectibles. A massive TV dominates one wall. Mint lingers in the air and gives a fresh vibe.

Jace spreads his arms wide, flashing me a cocky grin as he walks into the room and turns to face me. “Welcome to paradise.”

Logan rolls his eyes and nudges me toward the next room. He cracks open a door where dark gray walls and steel blue bedding give the room a cool, composed feel. Above the bed, a small window lets in late evening light that catches on a few polished stones lined along the sill. A tall shelf packed with worn fantasy novels runs up the wall beside the bed. The air in here carries the clean scent of pine, like the start of a hike in the early morning after it’s rained.

Ford taps a knuckle against the third door behind us, and I turn around as he swings it open. “Mine’s at the back. Best view of the woods.”

His room feels grounded. Deep green walls wrap around warm wood furniture, and the bedding looks inviting in layered earth tones. The furniture is minimalist with sleek lines and no clutter. Framed photos hang above a shelf stacked with vinyls and a record player. A pair of headphones hang down toward the bed. The campfire smoke layers under the clove.

Wes nudges open another door across the hall from the last, catching my eye with a nod. I go to him, curious what kind of room he has. Inside, the dark charcoal bedding complements the muted dark red walls. A couple of free weights sit tucked neatly in a corner, and a stack of classic novels leans against a sturdy nightstand. A small lamp glows beside his bed, casting a gentle light that softens the room’s clean lines.

The space feels steady, grounding, with a slight edge to it like Wes.The freshness of the earth after it rains lingers in the air. It’s a scent that always calms me down.

As I moveback into the hallway, my eyes catch a door across from his. It’s painted a soft light blue; different from the others. I can’t help but step forward, my fingertips reaching out to brush the frame and I swallow hard. “This is such a pretty color.”

Ford shifts beside me. “That’s our nest room.”

He opens the door, revealing a space that makes something inside me go still.

Soft blankets and plush bedding are piled neatly over a nest mattress that dips in the center, resting on a low platform. The windows are tinted with rainbow film. I bet it looks magical in here when the sun faces the window. The walls are a soft, soothing gray.

The air carries a faint trace of their shared clove. It makes me want to curl up in the middle of the bed and never leave.

Ford rests a hand on the door frame. “Just in case we ever need it. Not that we’re looking for an Omega or anything.”

A lump forms in my throat. Jealousy pulses under my skin, sudden enough to make my jaw clench at the thought of somebitchusing this space and getting their attention.

I force it down. I don’t have the right to feel that way. They think I’m visiting. Just an old friend from camp, nothing more. They don’t know what I am. What I’ve been hiding. How they smell to me, and they never can.

Some Omega will get this. A girl with no secrets.

Ford nudges my shoulder. “If you ever need a place to crash, you can stay here. The nest room’s open.”

My whole body flinches. Something about the offer sinks deep, stirs up feelings I’ve tried too hard to bury. It shouldn’t mean anything. It shouldn’t feel like a promise.

But it does.

A small nod is all I can manage, afraid that I might say something I can’t take back. I’ve never nested. If I want to keep up this ruse, I have to live this lie 24/7, especially with where I live. Maintenance could come in at any time. A nest setup would give me away.

I step back as Ford eases the door shut. My hands tighten at my sides. None of us says anything as we head downstairs.

In the kitchen, I set my bag down near the front door. The absence of its weight makes me feel strangely exposed. I’m not sure if I want to stay or bolt.

I peel off my jacket.Underneath, I’ve got on a black fitted-turtleneck and dark jeans; I like to call it business-casual. Professional enough for work, but not stuffy.

As I go back to them, my hand comes up to touch the hidden necklace and I have to drop it before they can notice. It’s such a security blanket for me at this point. It’s hard not to play with it constantly.

Logan scrolls through his phone. “Chinese.”

Ford grabs a menu off the corkboard. “Hot wings.”

Jace taps his phone screen a few times. “Subs. There’s a new place with garlic bread foot longs. They’re insane.”

---