Page 43 of Pit Stop

“Yeah, I wouldn’t really know. We don’t talk about this kind of thing.”

I don’t know what to say now, and it seems neither does he. We’re still walking, the bag hitting my leg as we continue to stride down the walkway.

Damn sex toys, not letting me forget they exist.

“Well, count your lucky stars. My familylovesto talk about it. It’s all they do. Like we discuss it at dinner. It’s infuriating.”

“Yeah, that sounds rough, man.”

“It is. But enough about me. Tell me about you and Mav.”

“Um, there’s nothing to tell.”

“I mean, that’s not how he made it sound.”

I scoff and then run a hand through my hair nervously. I don’t know what to say. I’ve got nothing.

“He’s my brother’s best friend…not that brother. Forest’s best friend.”

“Ah.”

“And nothing can happen between us because I’m leaving this place eventually.”

“Oh, well, that’s tragic. Does that mean I can have a go then?”

Before I can stop myself, a “no” slips from my lips.

Owen grins and nods. “I see.”

“Care to enlighten me because I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing.”

“Me either. If Mav wanted me, I’d take him in a second.”

“You sure he doesn’t want you?”

He nudges me and shakes his head. “I’m so damn sure. As much as I’ve tried, I just don’t do it for him, I’m afraid. He’s had eyes for someone else…for a while, it seems.”

Relief pulses through me, as silly as that sounds. I know I can’t have him but I don’t want him to have anyone elseeither. It’s possessive and ridiculous, but I can’t help how I feel. Something in me changed during those few days I spent with him.

I can’t blame it on pheromones anymore.

He sighs and then loosens his grip on me. “Well, anyway, Skye. I have to run. It was nice to meet you, and hopefully we can catch up. I’m thinking about starting a support group for guys like us…you know, omegas with asshole alpha brothers.”

I smile at him and nod, pushing my glasses up my nose.

“Yeah, I would maybe be interested in joining that.”

“Cool.” He waves at me and then stops, backtracking. “Wait. I need your number.”

He hands me his phone and I quickly input my contact information. When it’s saved, Owen grabs it and shoves it in his back pocket.

“Right, I’ll call you.”

And with that, he’s off, leaving me to stand there and watch him go.

“Gods,” I murmur as I make my way to my car, which is back in the parking lot of the store. River is nowhere to be seen, thank the lords of the land.

I shove the bag into the car and turn on the AC, blasting it in my overheated face.

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