Page 20 of Pit Stop

If I’m really honest with myself, Maverick ruined me for anyone else.

I want him to be the one she’s gesturing to. Not this guy.

“What’s so good about him?”

“He still shifts, Skye.”

Now that is something. My eyes widen as I start to take the man in. Damn, so that’s what one with the ability to shift looks like. He’s bigger than most in attendance, with cut muscles and long dark hair. It hangs over his shoulders, and I watch as thick hands push it back.

“I want to fuck him,” Delphine whispers loudly, “but he’s notoriously hard to get with.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Rumor is he has very high standards.”

I arch an eyebrow at her. “Standards?”

“Yeah, I know. Boring, right? But I heard he has a big dick and knows how to use it. And gods, that hair. Glorious, right?”

I let out a small laugh and take a sip of my drink, which is far too sweet for my tastes, but I refuse to have the barista remake it. I’ll just force myself to enjoy it.

How did Mav know exactly how I like my coffee? He got it right every morning I was with him. I never even had to ask.

“Anyway, thanks for coming. Maybe you can be my wingman when I go introduce myself to him after the poetry is all done.”

“Um, Delphy, I don’t see how I’d make a good wingman. The last time you asked me to do this, I tripped and spilled my drink all over the guy.”

“Yeah, but you’re cute and nerdy. You’re easy to forgive. Alpha wolves eat that shit up.”

I eye her and scoff. “That sounds like a lie.”

“No, for real. You’re an adorable, needy omega. Alphas love protecting guys like you, and maybe since we’re friends…”

She waggles her eyebrows at me.

I don’t know what to say to that. Is that why Maverick ended up fucking me during my heat? Did he feel sorry for me? Was I just a needy little slut his instincts told him to protect? Was I just that pathetic?

The thought makes my chest clench and my hole slacken. It’s a curious thing, my body and mind working against each other.

“Anyway, it’s worth a shot. All doors you open, never close.”

“I really don’t think that’s how the saying goes.”

“Oh, who cares.”

“Fine, well, if alphas are so into needy, pathetic nerds, what if he ends up wanting me instead? You’re a beta, Delphy.”

She grins at me. “Oh, well, if he gets with you, then I can live vicariously. I don’t mind a little friendly competition. Plus, you could use it after your heat, amiright?”

Oh, how the hell did she find out about that? Is Maverick telling everyone? Forest?

I worry about it through the entire awful poetry reading, my mind spinning through every possible scenario.

If one more person howls between sentences and gets on all fours, I will riot. The only good thing about this gods-awful thing is that it’s stemming some of my anxiety.

Not that it ever really stops.

As I finish my drink and set it between my feet, I try like hell not to think of Maverick. Or that shifter standing at the other side of the room as he keeps peering over at me.

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