Page 37 of Knot Their Reality

Once Brody finishes, everyone sits in silence for a moment before Zayd leans forward, glancing at Ramsey to await his nod before he speaks. Damn, I'm proud of myself for remembering both their names, though I can't remember their beta's name for the life of me.

"The three of us are together—not that it matters since we'll be out of your hair Saturday night, but I figured it would be easier if I started."

"Good on you, Zayd." Jace is leaning back on the sofa, looking completely at ease. "I have no preference between men and women. I've dated both, but mostly women, as I'd hoped to find someone to give me a child. Outdated thinking, I know, but I'm just being honest. I'm here for Sophia, but I'm not against something happening between me and the members of her pack."

Brody shoots the two men who have spoken grateful smiles. "I'm only attracted to women. I've never been with a man and have no desire to be."

Then around we go, everyone admitting their preferences, but no one puts a label on it—something I love. I've always believed that we're overly concerned with labels. Brody, Malik, and Ezra are the only three who are only into women. The rest of us fall somewhere along the line of enjoying both. I'm not sure what that means for us, but I do think that Brody had the right idea of it.

While we're here to land a spot in Sophia's pack, it's exactly that. It's a pack. We need to get to know one another just as well as we get to know her. I feel like this is something I probably should have realized before now.

"You're about to overthink something again, aren't you?" Brody nudges my side, and I can't help but grin at him.

"You caught me. I just didn't realize that this was going to be about more than getting to know Sophia. Whoever she chooses will be a part of her pack for the rest of their lives. I don't think going into the pack as strangers, or enemies, or anything like that is a smart idea."

A smile lights up his face, and I can see his appeal. He's definitely got the boy next door looks going for him, all the way down to his dimples. But it's more than that. He exudes optimism, and that's something I need in my life—even if we're just friends.

"Now you have the idea of it."

"Brody, I think I'm going to keep you," I tell him as I stand. He follows suit as I head for the bar. "I could use a friend like you in my life."

"Someone who also overthinks?"

Shaking my head, I grab a beer from the fridge and offer one to him. He shakes his head so I pop it open and take a pull from it. "No, someone who looks at the bright side. Someone that's genuinely happy. Someone who isn't pretending to be my friend to see what they can get from me."

"You really do, if that's how your friends treat you." The smile has slipped from his lips, disgust clear. "It would be my privilege to be your friend, Quinn."

And those words seem to settle something inside of me. I no longer feel like an outsider or like I'm in this on my own. No, now I have a friend. A comrade to go through this process with.

Hell, one who's already gone through this once before. While that's a benefit, it's not why I wanted him to be my friend. I think he might be one of the most genuine people I've ever met in my life. And when you find something precious, you hold on to it—whether that's a beta friend or an omega who gets your blood going.

And I'm no dummy. I'm going to hold on to the two of them the best that I can, hoping and praying that they'll choose me as well.

Chapter Twelve

Sophia

It’s only day four and I’m exhausted. The group date went really well—at least on my end. I’m fairly certain that Brody, Malik, Paxton, and Quinn felt the same way. Sometimes it’s hard, looking back on the dates and wondering if things went as well as I think they did. But that’s the anxiety talking.

While it's been easier to get to know the suitors by breaking them into groups of four and allowing me to spend twenty-fours with them, it's also not fair that I don't get to see them again until all the suitors have arrived.

No, that's not right.

It is fair—to the suitors. It's just not fair to me. I want to continue to get to know them, and instead, I have to get to know new suitors. Twenty men, all vying for a spot in my pack. It sounded like a dream come true—and in some ways it is—but it's overwhelming and hard. It's just a lot, and I don't know that I'm handling it well. Maybe I should ask Bree or Tessa about meeting with the psychologist before our first scheduled meeting.

"You doing okay, Sophia?" Bree's hand lands on my shoulder, jarring me from my thoughts. I force a smile as I turn to meet her gaze.

"Mostly. It's just overwhelming. I was thinking of asking you about speaking to the psychologist now and not waiting for the scheduled meeting."

Bree nods. "I can absolutely get that set up for you. When do you want to meet with him? After dinner? Maybe give you some time to relax or hang out with the guys before the meeting, though. Unless you want it to be right after dinner."

"Hmmm," I hum, thinking about it. It would either have to be then, late tonight, or after breakfast in the morning. I think tonight is the best option, but I probably won’t want to hang out with the suitors after I finish meeting with the psychologist. "Yes, please. Let’s give me some time after dinner before I meet with him. I think that would be for the best."

"Then I'll make sure to set it up. Remember, he's here for you—and the suitors, but mostly you. Whenever you need to speak with him, all you have to do is ask, or I'm sure he'll give you a way to contact him. Don't hold it all in. That won't do anyone any good—especially not you. There might not have been a licensed psychologist for me last season... well, I guess there was," she says with a laugh, "but he wasn't here to be my doctor. The point is, I turned to Tessa when I was feeling overwhelmed... mostly, anyway.

"We wanted to make sure that we built that support system into the show for you. While your sessions will be filmed, only the doctor will have access to the videos. It will be up to him and you if you want any of it aired. Patient doctor confidentiality and all that. This isn't about getting more footage or better sound bites. It's about making sure that you're taken care of while you take this journey for yourself."

Tears are threatening to spill over as I stare at Bree. I can't remember the last time that someone cared this much about me and what I'm feeling. It relieves some of the pressure that I've felt building over the last few days. It makes me feel less overwhelmed and reminds me I'm stronger than this. That I can do this.

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