Page 13 of The Beta: Part Three
“I don’t know what I’m supposed to say, Nathan.” I really don’t. This has been a close repetition of the conversation with Alex, just from a different angle. I’m not irritated with Nathan, just with the situation, and I’m starting to feel a little unnerved. And there’s a really good, really fun fix for that. “But I feel very unsettled right now. You know what helps me feel better when I’ve got too much on my mind?”
He shakes his head. I smirk at him, “let’s go up to your room and I’ll show you.”
He laughs, a real one. “You’re worse than we are.” He might be making jokes about my sex drive, but he has zero qualms setting me off the dryer and swatting my ass when I take off for my room.
I’m still a little unsettled, even after I thoroughly wear out Nathan. Usually a round or three with one of them clears my head, but I’m still thinking about what’s bothering me with Devon. I think it may have to do with his recovery. I feel like I have to protect him from further injury. That has to be what it is. Maybe Obi can come by and check him out again. Just to put my mind at ease.
He responds to my text while Trent and I are finishing up dinner. I say we because we’re both in the kitchen, but I’m browning the baked mac and cheese, and he’s ripping small pieces off the roast I have on the counter to settle before he slices it up for easy serving. Either Trent or Alex are almost always in the kitchen with me while I cook. I’ll never tell them, but I love it. I love that Trent sneaks bites of everything and that Alex likes to try to add ingredients when he thinks I’m not looking.
I announce in the group text that dinner is ready and wait for everyone to come to the table. When Corso sees the food he grins at me. Roast beef surrounded by cut up potatoes, carrots, and onions, sauteed asparagus, and baked mac and cheese is his favorite dinner. I try to make someone’s favorite at least once a week. “Thank you, stellina mia.”
I kiss his cheek and order everyone to dig in before I let them know that Obi will be by after dinner.
“You didn’t have to call him, Talia. I really am nearly as good as new.” Devon doesn’t look or sound irritated, but I know he doesn’t like being fussed over.
“It will make me feel better if he looks over you one last time. I won’t ask him to do it again, I know you hate it. I just,” I sigh, “I don’t know. It will make me feel better.’
“He can look me over every day if it will make you feel better. I don’t mind. But he’s going to get tired of coming by every week.”
“I’ll make him some cookies. And I’ll send plenty home with him for Jamie.”
“Make plenty for me, too,” Trent says with his mouth full. “I also require macaroni and cheese like this three times a week. Maybe Jamison and the rest of them can come over one night. He used to be fun before he got old.”
I point my fork in Trent’s direction, “Jamie isn’t old, he’s just older than you. He’s the same age as Corso.”
“Yeah,” he smirks, “but kids still tell stories about Jamie and the shit he pulled. Corso has always been so… responsible.”
“I’ll take that compliment,” Corso tips his chin. “And I agree with Trent, I would be very happy if we had macaroni every week.”
Obi strolls through the door right before we start the movie for movie night. It’s horrible horror tonight, “want to stay for a while after you check on Devon? We’ve got popcorn with all the sides.” I actually do like Obi. He’s hilarious when he wants to be. I think having him over for one of Jasper’s awful movie marathons would be extra fun.
“That depends on what you’re watching,” he says as he lifts Devon’s shirt and pushes down the waistband of his jeans a couple inches. I can’t seem to drag my eyes away from the skin above the line of fabric. Devon might actually scar. Alphas rarely scar. The injury has to be very serious before it leaves a scar, and Devon might end up with three circular scars marring his lower abdomen.
“Don’t drool all over the floor, it’s a slip hazard,” Obi jokes.
“That’s putting it mildly,” Jasper says and puts his arms around me from behind. “Talia could definitely be accused of being a walking, talking slip hazard. We need to put out those floor signs.”
I pinch his side, “is Devon okay? It looks like he’s going to scar.”
Obi hums, “he might, but he earned it well. He’s fine, though. As far as I can tell he’s healed for the most part. The only thing left is the reconditioning. And that’s often the most difficult thing, believe it or not.”
Obi ends up staying for the majority of the first movie Jasper puts on. I’m pretty sure the snacks are the biggest draw, though. I make my nightly round before I go to bed after he leaves. I’m almost always the first one to turn in for the night, and I think Kaleb is usually the last. I’ve already decided that I’ll be crawling into Alex’s bed tonight, but it’s very likely that Nathan will join us before the night is over. I won’t let Trent sleep with just me and Alex. I think too much about what it would look like if they went at each other and it keeps me awake and soaking wet, and then none of us get any sleep. Devon is the last one I check on because his room is next to Alex’s.
“Talia.”
“Devon.”
“Thank you for having Obi check on me.”
“I’m sorry. I know you hate it. I’m just worried.”
“You don’t need to apologize, cupcake,” he says, “especially not for giving a shit.”
I put my hand on his forehead, brushing his hair back and the other on his chest so I can feel his heart beating under my palm. “I do give a shit. I hope you don’t mind.”
He looks at me like I’ve said something utterly ridiculous. “I don’t mind. I’m glad you do. I’m sorry you’re worried about me.”
“Don’t be,” I say, and run my fingers through his soft, brown hair again. “I can’t help worrying. Goodnight, Devon.” Then I kiss his cheek and head straight to Alex’s room with all his blankets and pillows. His room reminds me of bonfires and burnt marshmallows in the best way, because it smells like him. I’m just dozing off when he comes in and flops onto the bed and I waste no time wrapping myself around him.
