Page 33 of Knot That Difficult

I’ll have to do some research.

“You don’t seem too excited,” River continues, still eyeing me critically.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” I snap. “Of course I’m supportive of her.”

“I didn’t say you’re not supportive. I said you didn’t look excited.”

He looks completely unbothered, with his boots on his desk and his leather jacket slung over his chair.

The worn jacket that has bite marks on its sleeve.

I didn’t ask. I don’t want to know.

“I’m fine,” I insist, shaking my head. “This is good for her. For us.”

“You’ve never been a part of a pack,” River continues. “Devyn’s the first Omega you’ve dated.”

“And how do you know that? We didn’t talk for, like,tenyears.”

“Because I’m not stupid, idiot.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “Okay, great. Case closed, then.”

“Ha-ha,” he deadpans. “I’m just saying. You could come to me for…advice, if you wanted. Pointers.”

I’m pretty sure my eyebrows hit my hairline.

“Advice?” I parrot.

“Yeah, I mean, do you even know where everything goes when there are four people?”

I gape at him. “What thehell, River. I don’t need you to draw a road map for how to have sex with my girlfriend.”

He chuckles and moves his feet off the desk. “Okay,” he says, spinning his chair to face me. “That was probably a poor choice of words. Let me try again.” He clears his throat and cocks his head. “How are youfeelingabout this, Ben?” It sounds like he’s reciting a line.

My cousin has lost his mind.

Since when does he care about how I’m feeling, or howanyoneis feeling?

He groans and rubs his hand across his face. “Look, Skylar said it would be a good idea to talk to you, and I agree with her, kind of. This shit is scary and new for you and Devyn, or at least scary to Devyn. And I care for that kid, and so does Skylar, so I don’t want you to fuck it up. And that starts with acknowledging your…feelings.”

“Don’t call her a kid,” I mutter.

“Don’t change the subject. She’s twenty-one years old, so she’s a fucking kid to me.”

I scowl, frustrated that he’s suddenly interested in my personal life. “There’s not much to talk about. I’m fine with everything.”

“That’s the biggest load of bullshit on earth.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Your foot has been shaking since I brought it up, and you’re clenching your jaw. You never do that shit.”

I didn’t even realize it.

My cousin is a good detective for a reason, and I huff in defeat as I still my foot that’s given me away.

It’s a nervous habit of Devyn’s. Maybe I picked it up.

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