Page 42 of Pit Stop

He waggles the bag above his head and I try to reach for it, but he’s quicker than me and steps back, making me stumble.

“Honestly, River. Grow up!”

“Why? Being me is so much fun.”

I let out a snort just as a flash of movement whizzes past my head as River is shoved back, and something fierce and furious moves in front of me.

“Give it back!” an angry voice growls.

River’s arm drops and the ball of fury cocks his arm back and punches River right in the chest.

River lets out a small wheezing laugh as I try to make sense of this. Who the fuck is this? Why would someone come to my aid like this?

As my mind slowly catches up and my eyes take in the fierce ball of anger before me, I realize that it’s the cute guy from the bar, the one who was all over Maverick.

“Stop being a bully,” the guy hisses and then swipes the bag from River’s dangling hand and gives it to me.

“I’m not a bully—” River begins, but the small guy just snarls at him, grabbing my arm and tugging me forward.

“Stay away from him, you dick!”

I let out a small laugh and grin back at River, who is standing there, rubbing his chest. And then his hand moves down and adjusts his cock, making me cringe.

Yeah, no. I don’t ever need to see that.

“Gods, I hate these alphas that think they can just do whatever they want,” the guy grumbles, and I hate that I likehim. He’s Maverick’s, a competition of sorts, and I fuckinglikethe guy.

Ugh, why did he have to be so nice?

“He’s my brother.”

“Doesn’t give him a pass. I’m so sick of their shit.”

I eye him and he sighs, pulling me down the sidewalk.

“I’m Owen, by the way. Maverick told me all about you, Skye.”

I open my mouth and close it, feeling slightly unhinged at the moment. What the fuck is going on?

“Anyway, sorry to just burst in there, but I have five alpha brothers, so I totally get it. I’m so annoyed by their existence. Assholes.”

“Uh, well, I think you just gained a new fan. River is quite persistent and never has a clue when someone dislikes him. He’s a golden retriever puppy.”

“He’s not a sweet dog. He’s more like a gnat.” He slaps his hands together. “I’ll squash him.”

I let out a small laugh and then smother it. No, I have to dislike him. I really do. He’s not likable at all.

Gah, he’s the most likable, for fuck’s sake.

“Anyway, I just…I’m in a mood today and since Maverick told me about you, I feel like I know you. And when I saw that guy bugging you, I was just raging. Probably my hormones or something.”

“What do you mean by Mav told you all about me?”

“Well, I asked why he was glowering across the room and he told me what happened between you two.” He sighs and then looks off dreamily. “Wish I’d had an alpha like him during my first heat. So attentive.”

“I mean,” I say, staring at anything but him. “I got some numbers of nice guys the other night…”

“Yeah, theyseemnice, but they’re just in it to rut. Trust me. You have alpha brothers. You know.”

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