Page 33 of A Knotty Road Trip

Hoping to ease whatever tension is now clogging the air in the car, I lean forward toward Tate.

“Oh, so you don’t like Knotty Trip either?” I’m joking, but I think I just did something bad.

All three alphas turn to face me and stare.

I swear I just stuck my foot in my mouth about something, and I’m not sure what. You could hear a pin drop right now. Ken turned the radio completely off, and the guys are silently staring at me.

“Is there something on my face,” I blurt out, then rub my mouth with the sleeve of my sweater.

Tate is the first one to snap out of whatever trance they were in. “You don’t like the band Knotty Trip?” he asks slowly as if waiting for something.

“Honestly, no. I mean they aren’t bad, and I do love their lyrics. At least the ones I have heard. They are dark, and emotional, but breathtaking at the same time. But I don’t listen to rock much. My sister is obsessed, but I prefer country music.”

I’m babbling, and Angel shifts away from me, leaning his head against the window. He seems sad. Beck won’t stop blinking at me, and Tate seems pissed.

“I’m sorry,” I say, because I feel like I need to right now for some reason.

“It’s fine. Just surprising is all,” Tate mumbles, then sits back and takes Beck’s hand. He rubs circles on his knuckles, and I smile. They are so cute together. I can tell they love each other very much, too.

I glance over at Angel, and his eyebrows are pinched. He seems to be thinking really hard. I reach out and touch his arm.

“Hey, is everything okay?” I ask him, and he glances my way, nods, then crosses his arms and leans against the door, closing his eyes.

Maybe he’s just tired. Sighing, I pull out my headphones and my Kindle. I might as well read if they aren’t in the mood to chat. This is going to be a long trip.

I must have dozed off, listening to an audio book. Reading on my Kindle was making my eyes tired. The car stops, and the partition window rolls down. I give Ken a smile. The guys are all sleeping.

“I need to use the restroom, so I figured this shopping plaza would work. If you want to wake them up.”

“Yeah, thanks. Is there anything I can get you at the store?” I ask, grabbing my jacket and putting it on.

“A few energy drinks would be great. Any brand and flavor is fine. I’m not picky.” I nod, then lean over toward Angel. He has a hoodie under his head as a makeshift pillow.

Ken opens his door and gives me a smile before walking toward a Target.

“Hey, did you want to go to the store?” I ask Angel, placing my hand on his thigh. He jolts awake and grips my hand with his, tight. His blue eyes are panicked.

“What?” he croaks. I point toward the store.

“Ken is using the bathroom. He suggested we get some things for the ride.”

“Oh, yeah. Okay.” He nods, then opens his door. Grabbing my hand, he pulls me from the car.

“Wait, shouldn’t we wake up Tate and Beckett?” Angel stops and looks at his cousin and friend asleep.

“I’ll grab them some stuff,” he mutters, then shuts the door and keeps walking. The parking lot is covered in snow, but it looks like someone plowed at least. When we reach the sidewalk, he lets my hand go and stuffs his into his leather jacket’s pockets.

He seems standoffish right now, and I don’t know why. Is this still about the music? Do they know the band or something?

The doors automatically open, and the heat rushes toward us. I head right for the bathroom, and Angel follows. He goes as far as to lean against the wall next to the Ladies room door.

“Oh, you can go shopping. I’ll be quick,” I tell him, and he crosses his arm, giving me a glare.

“I am not leaving you alone. In a town you don’t know. You may be independent for an omega, Belle, but you are still susceptible to danger.”

Ugh, rolling my eyes, I walk inside and quickly handle business. My phone rings as I’m drying my hands. I really don’t want to answer, but this may be one of the only moments I am alone without the guys.

They don’t need to see how angry my father is, or how he treats me. It’s bad enough I feel like a pity tag along right now.

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