Page 32 of Bikers & Bars

“We could try a practice round,” Sienna said. “Find out what’ll be playing that night and we could watch it beforehand.”

“That could work,” Hazel said, tapping her chin as she thought it over.

“No,” I sighed. “He’ll realize and be disappointed. I’m a big girl, I can handle it. Maybe I’ll like it.”

“Okay,” Hazel laughed. “Your funeral.”

“God, please don’t have a heart attack. Talk about a mood killer,” Sienna joked before nodding toward the guys that were heading our way.

“Why do I feel like they plot nefarious things while we’re away,” Romeo joked as he sat down. That was enough to set my besties off into another round of laughter while I fought a smile of my own.

“Don’t worry, you’re safe with us,” I told him. “We only plot murder to those who fuck with us.”

“Exactly,” Hazel said matter-of-fact. We clicked our drinks together before diving back into our food. The conversation stayed a whole lot lighter but I couldn’t stop the feeling of dread settling in my stomach.

I was definitely going to make a fool of myself.

Chapter

Twelve

Eliza

Spending the day away from the compound then working right after had almost made me forget the big conversations I had been avoiding. But needless to say that one alpha in particular had no problem remembering.

After not being at the bar last night I had almost wondered if he had left with his chapter but I shouldn’t have doubted my mate.

Damien was stalking toward me like he was a man on a mission. My breath caught at the way the light hit him. He looked like an avenging angel. His skin was glowing, eyes sparking with heat and something else I couldn’t read, and his full attention was on me.

He was an alpha through and through.

“Come with me.”

It wasn’t a request but I didn’t protest as he grabbed my hand and led me away from the door I’d just walked out of. I’d worked late last night so was just getting up for my day and getting some fresh air. Instead of sleeping with Loki and Bane I’d optedto sleep alone, getting all of my thoughts together with all the changes that had hit so fast. Thankfully, they had understood.

“Sure, of course, good morning to you, too,” I muttered as he tugged me along. He gave me an amused look but didn’t comment on my grumbling.

“Here,” he said, gesturing to one of the outer buildings. I raised an eyebrow and looked at it. As far as I knew it was some random storage. A garage separated it from Bane and Loki’s place and I shrugged before looking back.

“It’s, uh… just a storage building.”

“For now,” he huffed, tugging open the door and flicking on the lights.

It was empty now and the scent of paint hit me. The floor was littered in drywall dust and debris but there were stacks of flooring to the side, ready to be laid down.

“What’s this going to be?” I questioned as I looked around at the fresh walls.

“Our place. Well, my place. I’m not living with your new boyfriends and it’s just a few doors down, so you won’t ever be far,” he said pointedly. He ran a hand through his dark curly hair, an air of uncertainty surrounding him. I could see hints of my Damien in the man who stood in front of me, Viper, but there were also changes. A hint of coldness and scowl lines on his face. I wonder what kind of changes he saw when he looked at me.

“Damien,” I started, my voice trailing off as I tried to put everything in words. It was time I didn’t just apologize but took accountability. This was on me.“I really am sorry. I was selfish and scared so I did what I naively thought would be the least painful. Clearly, it was the wrong choice. I should have just talked to you and faced my fertility issues but I hadn’t yet.”

“Have you now?” he questioned, his voice rough with pain. Pain that I had caused. I swallowed hard as I met his eyes. My chest ached at the hurt radiating from them.

“Yes, I’m starting to,” I whispered into the silence that followed his question. After leaving it was all I could think about. There was always this stigma that omegas had to have children, that we were expected to. That no one would want us otherwise.

But lately, the thought of having a baby had my lips twisting into a grimace. I liked my life and for once, I was ready to live it for me. Having a baby would mean I’d be right back in that caretaking role that I’d hid behind for far too long.

Right now I wanted to just live my life.

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