Page 59 of Their Perfect Omega

“Exactly. Everyone thinks I’m the wild child of the group, but Alvaro is the one that got me drunk for the first time the night before a very important final. I studied drunk.” Cal looked over at me. “And Tate over there, don’t get me started.”

“I’m an angel. You’re just making up lies.” I grinned as I began French braiding one side of Kara’s hair. Her hair was thick and soft, and I wanted to run my fingers through it some more.

“Tate was the master of pranks. He doesn’t do them much anymore, but occasionally he’ll pull a real zinger on us.” Cal let out a wistful sigh. “One time, he put a fake snake in Avery’s dorm room. I’ve never heard a man scream so loud.”

“I feel like I missed out on so much fun being at the Omega Academy... well, besides when my sister did something crazy.” Kara reached up and patted one side of her head as I finished. “That’s nice. I’ll have to give you a nice tip later.”

“I’ll hold you to that.” I leaned forward and kissed her fingers. “You can be however you want with us.”

“Thank you.” She sniffled, and Cal practically flew from his spot onto the floor next to her.

The back door of the cabin opened, and Alvaro and Avery walked in with Gizmo. Avery was singing something, and Alvaro was humming along with him. It wasn’t anything I’d heard before and my ears perked up.

All of our heads turned in their direction as they walked into the kitchen, and both grabbed a cookie. Anya always kept our bus fridge stocked with pre-made dough because nothing hit the spot like a freshly baked cookie.

Alvaro’s humming stopped. “We should get this down before we forget.”

“On it.” Avery took a bite of his cookie and groaned, looking over at me, Cal, and Kara. “Don’t you three look cozy playing beauty shop. It smells like sex in here too. Is that a new service you’re offering? Free orgasms with a hairdo?”

It was nice to see Avery happy and having an air of excitement surrounding him. He was optimistic about the future for the first time in a long time, just like the rest of us.

Gizmo trotted across the living room and let out a grunt as he folded dramatically in his dog bed and put his head on his paws. He’d been really good about staying away from Kara. The last thing we needed was for him to try to hump her leg.

“Avery, if you aren’t careful, we won’t be able to call you Payne anymore,” I joked.

He walked into the living room and stood in front of us, blocking the TV. “Why not? It’s my last name.”

“He can still be a pain in the ass if he’s not in mental anguish.” Cal was still on the floor and stroking Kara’s arm. “You’re in the way.”

“Maybe the pain is in my ass from dealing with you.” Avery didn’t move out of the way and crossed his arms over his chest. “I have nail polish on the bus. When Jonathan and Anya get back, I can paint your nails.”

“I’d like that.” She looked up at him, and although I couldn’t see her face, I could hear the adoration in her voice.

“I’m going to go write this song down.” Avery leaned down and kissed her before heading toward the spare bedroom where we were keeping our overnight bags and electronics so we didn’t have to go out to the bus.

Alvaro sat down on the couch and reached over to give the braid I just finished a light tug. “We walked a wide perimeter around the cabin and there are no other people within a half-mile radius.”

Cal looked up at me. “We have four days after our show tomorrow until the next one in the Bay Area. We can leave the night before the show and get there by the time we have soundcheck. Do you think your dad will flip his lid?”

“Probably.” I sat back on the couch and ran a hand over my face. “We’ll have to cancel a few more appearances too.”

“Management isn’t happy we separated from the other buses. I told them we are grown-ass men and to stop acting like our mothers. They didn’t like that.” Alvaro chuckled to himself. “They think we’re off getting drunk and hosting orgies or something.”

“Well…” Kara giggled. “One part of that isn’t too far from the truth.”

“It’s the last two weeks of the tour. They just need to get over it. We’re tired.” Cal got up off the floor with a groan and flopped down between me and Alvaro. “My ass is asleep. Come up here, Kara. We need your ass in tip-top shape and not sore from the floor.”

She stood, adjusting the shirt of Alvaro’s she was wearing with nothing underneath it. She was more relaxed than I’d seen her since her heat started, and it filled me with pride that we were taking good care of her. At least, I hoped we were.

“Come here.” Alvaro reached for her and grabbed her wrist, pulling her onto his lap. “I like seeing you in my shirt.”

Her long legs stretched out over Cal, and she wiggled her toes. I couldn’t resist running my finger up the bottom of one to see her reaction.

She snatched her foot away with a laugh. “Don’t you dare.”

“You really shouldn’t have let him see your weakness.” Cal ran his hand up and down her calf. “He’s N’Pact’s resident tickler.”

A thoughtful expression passed over Kara’s face. “I have a question that you guys never answer when you’re asked… and I’ve been curious.”

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