Chase nods, taking the alpha's hand and carefully climbing in. Chase moves to sit on my other side, but Brooks grabs his hand. "Sit beside me?"
Chase glances at me, and I nod. We don't need to be attached to one another twenty-four-seven, after all. As much as I'd love that, it's not plausible. Plus, I can tell that Chase is interested in Brooks. They should have some time to get to know one another as well.
I screech when water splashes up in my face, into my mouth, and up my nose. I choke momentarily before glaring at Dylan. "What the fuck is your problem?"
"Uhhhh..." He stutters, looking to Brooks as if he has the answer, but the other alpha is already glaring. "I'm sorry?"
"That's three times today that you've said sorry. Maybe stop doing things you have to apologize for?" Chase crosses his arms, moving closer to Brooks.
Dylan's mouth opens and closes for a moment before nodding. "I guess I'm just a little bit nervous. I'm not usually like this."
I don't know if I can trust his words. If you would've asked me before today, I totally would have, but right now? I'm just honestly pissed. This is twice he's soaked me in water—trust me, that isn't the way I want to be wet from an alpha—and that's after he'd messed up our little nest. But maybe he is telling the truth. If he's nervous it would make him more clumsy—at least that's what it does to me.
"Fine." I draw out the word, waiting until he looks up at me before continuing. "I'm willing to let go of what's been done thus far today. We'll start over, but maybe think before you act?"
He nods, seeming eager for my forgiveness. So I do just what I said I'd do, and I let it all go. I move closer to him so we can chat. We talk about our families and our jobs. All the fun things you talk about when you're still getting to know someone else. At this point, it's almost tedious, the number of times I've had the same conversations. Definitely a downside to having twenty people vying for spots in your pack.
Brooks and Chase talk quietly, though they occasionally join our conversation. I can't seem to keep my eyes off of them. They look really fucking good together. I can't help but smile as Brooks lifts his hand to push Chase's unruly hair out of his face.
Dylan clears his throat, reaching out to wrap his hand around Chase's wrist. "Why don't you come join us? Sophia can't seem to keep her eyes off you, which is making it hard to carry on a conversation."
I flush at his words, realizing I'd completely stopped listening to him. I hadn't meant to be rude. It's just that my eyes always seem to draw to him. Maybe it would be easier if he joined us.
Before Chase can say anything, Dylan is dragging him through the water and onto his lap. Chase shoves against his hold. "What the fuck. Let go of me, asshole."
And there went the second chance I'd given him for the day. I stand and shove over to where Chase is still struggling. Brooks is only a step behind me and easily plucks Chase from Dylan's hold.
My hand flies through the air, striking Dylan's cheek with a wet slap. His eyes are wide, confusion all over his face. "What was that for?"
"What was that for?" I'm fuming as I get into his face. "That was for grabbing my fucking omega and dragging him into your lap. He didn't consent to you touching him. If you would've just pulled him over, I might have been able to look past that, but that's not what you did.
"Chase has shown no interest in you—I know because I'm always watching. I also know because he told me. I don't know why you thought you had the right to put your hands on an omega, let alone my omega, but then to drag him into your lap? What part of this seemed okay to you?"
"I..." Dylan just shakes his head.
I lift my hand, intending to slap him again as rage wars inside of me, but a hand lands on my elbow and pulls lightly. Turning my head, I find a fuming Brooks. "Why don't you and Chase get out and get dried off? I'd say this date is over."
I sneer when I glance back at Dylan. "Damn right, it is. C'mon, Chase."
I take his hand and climb from the hot springs with his and Brooks's help before he quickly follows me. Keeping my back to the hot springs as I grab a towel for each of us. The sound of flesh on flesh has my head swinging toward the hot spring, but Chase grabs my chin and shakes his head.
"Brooks will take it from here. Let me dry you off, and then you can help me." As the sound comes again, I want to ignore Chase, but I also don't want to further upset him so I just nod.
After giving the towels to Chase, I grab the walkie-talkie Tessa handed me earlier. I press the button on the side as Chase begins drying me.
"Sophia?"
“Can you please send Hector back out to get us, Tessa?”
“Already? You all still have time—”
“Now.” I don’t mean to snap at her, but I’m ready to get away from Dylan. “I'm sorry, that was rude. Please, if you could send him now that would be great."
I hesitate. "Maybe send out two carts?"
"Is everything okay, Sophia?"
"It will be," I tell her. "Maybe check the tapes."