Page 84 of Patiently Yours
“Then you’ll have us.” I hand her my phone with a new contact profile open, and she does the same with me.
After we’ve all exchanged numbers, my alphas return. They each look like they’ve emotionally been through the ringer.
“Was it that bad?” Rory asks, her eyes wide.
Kendall winces. “He may be the worst alpha I’ve ever met. I think whoever set you up on this date may have met that guy in an alley somewhere.”
Opal’s shoulders drop slightly, like she really doesn’t want to consider that possibility.
“Well, he’s gone now,” I say before pointing my thumb to the pool table. “So, Opal… do you know how to play pool?”
FORTY-TWO
Between all the drama, tutoring, and chapter meetings from the past month, the boys forgot to plan their monthly game night. With a little push, they finally decided to hold the occasion in the middle of the week. I was thrilled when they asked what day worked best for me, including me in their plans without hesitation. It reminded me that they see me as pack, which is exciting in a foreign but also completely welcoming way.
That’s why I’m here, on a Tuesday night, while my scent matches put their living space together so we can all have a fun and fluid night. I was surprised to find that their coffee table has a hidden compartment underneath so that it can hold all of their physical games.
I love being privy to that information.
“So, what are we playing first?” I ask as we seat ourselves on the floor. They’ve settled down several blankets and pillows, turning their living room into a make-shift nest. It’s very comfy as I lace my fingers through the velvet fur. The lights are dimmed and Kendall lit a few rosemary candles on the coffee table, making the room smell a lot less manly and a lot more relaxing.
They all look at me attentively, boyish excitement in their faces. Atlas settles next to me and gives me that prime smirk of his that makes my stomach flutter. “Well… since we didn’t get to play it last time, we were thinking truth or dare.”
My smile widens. “Full circle, huh?”
Kendall claps his hands together. “Exactly! I’ll go first.” He looks over at Ciro. “Truth or dare, Jimenez?”
My beta rolls his eyes. “Dare, of course.”
Kendall smirks with a gleam in his eye. “I dare you to speak with a British accent until the end of the game.”
Ciro balks. I let out a giggle while furrowing a brow. “That doesn’t seem so bad.”
Uriah laughs on my left. “You’ve never heard Ciro’s British accent. It’s atrocious.”
“Stacia, there’s no chance you’ll suddenly come down with amnesia after we’re done playing, is there?” Ciro asks, serious panic appearing over his features.
I’m astounded as the rest of the guys laugh. “No, probably not. Are you all serious? Is itthatbad?”
“Let’s just say, we should probably never let an actual British person hear him or they’ll likely plot his murder,” Kendall quips.
I look back at my terrified beta. “Well. I’d like to hear it then.” His face contorts with even more fear. “I promise I won’t hold it over your head, Ci.”
He gives a heavy sigh before opening his mouth. “Alright, lassie, it looks like it’s your turn, then.”
My mouth drops at the abhorrent noise that escapes my scent match.
“What the hell is that?” I almost exclaim, but I pull my volume back in. “What dialect is that? Are you attempting a Liverpool accent? And why are you calling me lassie? That’s a Scottish thing.”
The alphas laugh even harder. Kendall nearly topples over from clutching his stomach. Ciro’s cheeks darken but he’s also adorning a cheeky grin. “I guess I’m not eloquent enough to pull it off.”
“That’s a fucking understatement.” Uriah chokes out between chuckles.
“Well, now it’s your turn, mate,” Ciro responds. “The friend ‘mate,’ not the other one. Whatever. Truth or dare?”
The boys’ laughter ceases but their amusement is still highly contagious. I can’t stop smiling. “Truth.”
The corner of Ciro’s lips turn up the slightest amount. “Is it true that you went celibate before college because you were waiting for your omega?”
