Page 31 of Knot That Serious

Jack had only seen them once, but the obvious pride Beckett held in those records…

Beckett was already nodding his head, placing his sandwich down again so he could rant with the full use of his hands. “Yeah. Most of them were special or limited edition, unfortunately.”

“Beckett… I’m so sorry,” Jack said, and wished he could scoop the alpha into his arms. Those were their first date records. A pang of hurt wiggled its way into his chest and he frowned.

“Thanks, Jack,” Beckett returned, a sad little smile on his lips. Jack hated seeing it there. It didn’t belong.

Jack’s phone buzzed, and he snatched it off the counter to respond.

I don’t see why not. He seems alright.

Jack’s heart swelled with affection, and then deflated with a frown. Heat?

He might have a crush on this adorable alpha, but he wasn’t stupid. He wouldn’t bring a strange—to Eli—alpha around while her heat was imminent.

No signs yet, she sent back. Another text followed. I normally wouldn’t have taken my injection until Friday. Another gray bubble came through. Even after that we should be clear for another day or two until you have to take me to the Omega Center. It’ll be fine.

His chest pinched at the thought of dropping her off at some medical center. Imagined a cold, metal room for Eli to suffer in.

If only she’d have taken him seriously when he asked.

He shook his head. Why’d I even offer?

Of course she wasn’t interested—hell, even the thought of it practically sent her into a panic attack.

The Omega Center would take care of her. The rooms weren’t even as clinical as Jack imagined. Because, yes, he’d looked them up. She’d be safe.

His apartment is flooded, Jack supplied to Eli. He shouldn’t need to stay for long, and I’ll kick him out if your heat comes.

Please, like I’d want your leftovers anyway.

He chuckled at her response, and glanced up at the sound of Beckett clearing his throat.

“Texting Eli?” he asked, a gleam in his eye.

Jack narrowed his gaze. “How’d you know?”

Beckett just shrugged. “A hunch.”

Ignoring whatever Beckett was poking at, he laid his phone down on the counter and leaned his palms into the edge. “I found you a place to stay until your apartment gets back into shape. You can thank me in the form of sexual favors, which I’ll collect—”

“You did what?” Beckett asked, brows raised in surprise. “Jack, you didn’t have to do that!”

“I know. Wanted to,” he offered. “I checked with Eli, and she said you could stay at our place if you wanted.”

“Really? I didn’t think she much liked me,” he mused, leaning his chin in his palm, elbow against the countertop.

“Maybe she doesn’t,” Jack said with a shrug. “But she likes me,” Jack insisted. “Just stay until the fans are gone.”

“Are you sure? Is she sure?”

“Of course. Her heat is coming up, though, and there’s been an issue with her suppressants, so if it comes early I have to kick you out.”

“Oh, that’s—of course.” Beckett leaned across the counter. “Are you absolutely sure? An omega in heat can be pretty… intense.”

“Totally sure. She’s been super chill so far.”

Super chill, meaning he needed to pick up some more clementines and Jack was running low on tee shirts, but he was too flattered that Eli found his scent comforting to ask for them back. Whether she was mixing them into her blankets or stealing them for her stint in the Omega Center lock-up—quit thinking of it like that—he didn’t care. The fact that she wanted some small part of him for comfort meant a lot. Probably too much, but he tried not to think about it.

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