Page 5 of Costume Party Crush
“Fuck you too,” I huffed.
Everybody else laughed, that was until I pushed my chair back and went into the kitchen. I braced my palms against the counter and closed my eyes.
I couldn’t blame them for their jokes. I’d been proud to be a bachelor for so long, and still played it off that way. But inside?
I blew out a long breath. They were all so happy, draped over their omegas and doting over their kids.
I wanted that for myself.
“Hey,” Chase said, leaning against the counter next to me. “What was that about?”
“Not in the mood,” I hissed.
“That’s bullshit, and we both know it.”
I sighed. “Does it ever get old? I mean… listening to them all talk about their kids and knowing you gave that up?”
I could almost hear Chase’s shrug in his reply. “Sometimes, but that was the choice I made. Tristan is the man I love. Besides, we could still adopt in the future… if that’s what he wants. But omegas and kids aren’t everything. What’s up?”
I turned around, slid down the cabinet doors and sat on the floor. “I guess.” I swallowed. “I’m fucking lonely, man. You all… you get to go home and cuddle your mates. You can talk to another human being without having to pick up the phone or go somewhere. But me?”
I scrubbed a hand down my face. “I go home to a cold empty house. Not literally cold, but the warmth of another person is missing. Yanno? And… I… I want that for myself.”
Chase sat next to me. “I get it. So why not give up the bachelor life? Go find yourself a nice man.”
I shook my head. “I’ve been trying. But I can’t seem to connect with anybody.” I ran my fingers through my hair and rested my elbows on my knees, head down. “José was right… nobody wants to put up with me. But… this is who I am.”
“Shit man,” Chase responded, bumping my shoulder with his. “I’m sorry for laughing.”
I took a deep breath, then stood. “I’m headed home.”
“You sure?”
“I was losing anyway.”
I took a few steps towards the door, but Chase scrambled to his feet and grabbed my arm.
“Frankie…”
I sighed. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to put all that on you.”
“We’re friends. I’d be a real asshole if I had an issue with it.”
“We all would be,” Lowell said.
I jumped and spun, spotting him in the arch that divided the kitchen from the dining area.
“Game night’s over,” José said. “Come on, get out your phone. We’ll spruce up your dating profile.”
“But…”
Alan shook his head. “We help each other. That’s always been our way.”
José plucked my phone from my shirt pocket and held it out. “Unlock it.”
“Umm…”
Chase held my finger to the scanner, and I watched the screen wake up.
