Page 103 of Sawyer and the Bookworms

Oh, I mean, now I know Sawyer’s favorite color. Perfect. Who needs anything else?

I really am stupid.

Tyson is in good spirits when I meet him at the hospital, at least. He’s not more talkative than usual, which isn’t much, but it’s an easy silence. The doctors are hopeful, and so is he. We’ll make it out of this okay.

As long as there’s money to cover the bills.

Not a given, as things stand.

I try not to worry too much as I head to the club later. The boss seemed to accept Archer’s arguments and money last night. Hopefully, he’s not waiting to give me the boot. If he does… that would be terrible news.

“Brin.” Noah waves at me from the entrance of the club, a broom in his hand. “Haven’t seen you in a while. How are you doing?”

“Good.” I paste on a fake smile. “How is Gina?”

“Fine, fine. She’s got her pack now, and she’s busy, if you get my drift.” He winks. “I hope to be an uncle one of these days.”

“She’s happy, then?”

“I think so, yeah.” He frowns. “I never thought to ask her that, you know? It’s weird. But she told me she was satisfied. Yeah, that’s what she said.”

Satisfied. I wonder if Sawyer will be satisfied with the pack he chooses. He said he wanted the McGraw Pack and me. And yet he was going to meet this other pack tonight and decide by next week. What did he say exactly?

“My parents have power over me. Financial power.”

I frown.

“Not all of us have the luxury of waiting for the perfect pack,” Noah goes on. “As long as they treat her right, I’m glad. Well, I should get back to work. Take care, Brinlee.”

“You, too,” I whisper and head for the dressing room on autopilot.

What power do Sawyer’s parents have over him? What did he mean? And does it matter? He obviously doesn’t think he can fight them. If he even wants to fight them. It’s none of my business. He made his choice. He has his reasons.

We haven’t even started anything, not really. We were horny, we had a fun night. There wasn’t anything more, anything deeper.

Liar, liar. Even if it hadn’t been your first real sex, it would have been important. It was important.

What, losing my V-card is supposed to be important? This isn’t the Middle Ages.

Liar.

Okay, I know. I know I’m lying to myself. The ache down below from what we did isn’t nearly as bad as the ache in my heart.

But sometimes it’s the only way to keep from falling apart. Sawyer has his life, his café, his family’s demands, not to mention his biological needs as an omega. I have absolutely nothing to offer him.

Nothing.

Familiar faces blur by as I cross the club, familiar voices greeting me. I should focus on what’s important. I should also spend more time with my brother, now he’s feeling better. We were close once, and now is our chance to become close again.

Family matters. Friends matter. They matter more than scent-matches and desire and that feeling of clicking with someone. I’m not an alpha or an omega. I’m not governed by instincts. I have a rational mind that works, thank you very much.

It used to, at least, until I met Sawyer and the guys.

My mind still stuck on that, I push on the door to the dressing room—and stop.

River is sitting on the stool in front of the mirror, frowning. He turns when I enter, gripping the sides of the stool as he spins it to face me. “Finally. You’re late.”

“Am I? What are you doing here? I’m the one up next on the stage.”

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