Page 19 of Coco and the Misfits

Maybe I’m finally going into heat, I think. Maybe this is my omega awakening. How would I know? I need to ask Bee. And Sawyer. Does heat manifest differently in male omegas? Who else could I ask?

“Coco! You’re not drinking,” Ruby whines. Good Lord, she really is wasted. She’s slumped against the bar, giggling. “Drink with us!”

“Sure,” I mutter, still seeking Zach with my eyes in the dancing, jumping throng. “Let’s drink.”

“Is it Zach?” June asks. “Is that why you’re so blue?”

“I’m not blue. Pink to the core, baby.” I resolutely turn my back to the bar at large and plaster on a smile. “What are we having?”

“Seriously, girl... You’re falling for him, aren’t you? Did something happen between you two?”

“Nothing at all. I swear to God.”

“Funny.” June scrunches up her cute nose. “He looks like he’s heartbroken whenever he looks at you.”

“Excuse you. The only way a guy has any right to look at me is with thirst.”

“Can’t he be thirsty and heartbroken?”

“Mm... Possibly.” I order an Omega-tail (that’s a cocktail, by the way) and try to sort through my feelings. I glance around, hoping to see the juicy bartender who would be a good distraction, but he’s not here.

“Isn’t Damien working tonight?” I ask the girl behind the bar who’s mixing cocktails at the speed of light. “I haven’t seen him around.”

“No, I haven’t seen him in ages! He may have found work at another bar, I don’t know.”

“Damn. And I came here for him. And the cocktails. And the abundance of hunks.”

She laughs.

Yeah, so funny. Why am I feeling so down?

Nothing happened, Coco, I tell myself. You’re just in a strange mood. Hormones. That time of the moon cycle and all that.

Or an omega awakening.

No matter what it is, it’s in your body and your head. The fact that you saw three gorgeous alphas being growly and sexy means nothing.

They aren’t here now. You’re out with the girls. Drink tonight, think tomorrow.

Besides, apart from Ryder, the other two gave no sign of wanting to meet again for drinks or more.

Except Atticus offered to punch Ryder for me.

And Zach said he’d be waiting for me in his class.

Was that his way of flirting? Am I so out of the loop I don’t know a come-on line when I hear one anymore?

“Come on, Coco, tell us what happened,” Gigi says, bumping her shoulder against mine. “Is Zach in the picture? I have to know so I can tease Zayne.”

“No.” Panic sets in. “Don’t tell Zayne.”

“So there is something between you two!”

“Dammit, girl.” Thankfully, my cocktail arrives and I take a healthy gulp, nodding my thanks to a handsome beta bartender I don’t think I’ve ever seen before. “I already told you, there’s nothing.”

“Then you’re hoping for something?”

“Just... stop.” I lift my hand, hoping my magic powers will kick in and stop time so I can take a breath. “I don’t want to talk about Zach or any other alpha right now.”

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