Page 33 of Awakened
That was a lie. I’d been hungover for a lot of that week and embarrassed for a good chunk of it.
“Fine,” the big grump grumbled. “Don’t let it happen again.” In a much sweeter tone, he asked, “So, how was your first day?”
I wasn’t sure, but it seemed like he was trying to stick it to me for not calling him as he asked me to describe every minute detail of the day. When I got to describing dinner, he only had more questions.
“So, Michael and Zach lost a bet this weekend and have to cook dinner for us every night. Tonight was spaghetti and meatballs. They even made a cheesecake.”
“Who’s Zach?”
“Uh, my coworker and Michael’s roommate. It’s a small world, eh?”
“Mm-hmm. Be careful there. You just got out of a ten-year relationship. Don’t go jumping into anything.”
“It’s fine. We’re just friends. Look, I actually have to go.”
I looked over and saw Zach reading my worn copy of Pride and Prejudice. Something about this image made me need his pants off faster.
“All right, one more thing. We need you to come home next weekend for the pack meeting. We’re doing the Luna Ceremony for Whitney and need the real gamma.”
Crickets. I didn’t say anything for a solid three minutes. Zach must have noticed as he put down the book and started rubbing my back.
“I, uh, I?—”
“Les, it’s shitty, but you have responsibilities to the pack. Alpha wants the true gamma there. He’s handing down the alpha position the same night.” Brandon huffed. “I know I sound like a real prick right now. If I could get you out of this, I would, but we all have our parts to play.”
He sighed, and I knew he felt awful for having to be the one to tell me since I wouldn’t call Aiden back. I also knew I wouldn’t be the gamma by then, but I couldn’t tell him that over the phone.
Time to lie.
“Sure Brand. I’ll be there.”
“Thanks, Les. I can’t wait to see you this weekend. Love you.”
“Love you too.” I hung up.
Zach leaned over and wiped a tear from my cheek. “You okay?”
“Not at all.”
Needless to say, the night was ruined—again. Only Zach didn’t leave this time. Instead, he pulled me to his chest and rubbed my back.
“I can’t believe how fast everything is changing. Aiden’s goingto be alpha, and Whitney’s going to be luna. Just. Wow.” I sniffed. “His dad kept putting off retirement, but now that Aiden has his mate, it’s go time? Fuck that noise. Fucking backward, traditional bullshit!”
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what else to say.” Genuine concern and worry shined in Zach’s eyes.
“There’s not really anything to say. When I tell them I’m going rogue, Brandon’s going to hate me. Our dream was always to lead together, and now I won’t even be in the pack. Fuck. Fuck mates!”
Zach started tracing patterns on my back, and I kissed his chest. I was lonely, and he was offering a little comfort. Who was I to turn that down?
I leaned up and placed a hesitant kiss on his lips.
Zach gently pulled back. “We shouldn’t do this. Not now.”
I jerked away, and he quickly added, “No, it’s not like that. If we’re going to do this, I don’t want your face to be covered in tears.” He brushed my jaw with his knuckles and gave me a sweet smile.
“Okay. Only happy hookups. Deal.”
I laughed and wiped my cheeks with the back of my hand. Then I thought about all the problems sex can cause. I had never understood casual sex and friends with benefits, but that was exactly what I wanted.
