Page 13 of Talk About… Trouble

It wasn’t that instinctual reaction that I was hoping for, but I wanted to indulge in deep lungfuls all the same.

It wasn’t very common for omegas to end up with other omegas, but sometimes two Omegas just clicked. Generally, they were very different people, complementing each other and the pack.

I never thought about being in that role. It seemed the pack centered around the female omega in those situations and I hated the idea that I’d get less of the pack experience just because I was a guy.

Maybe that was my insecurity talking, but I wanted to have the whole experience.

Yet here I was, fantasizing about me and Wren sharing a pack of sweet and doting alphas.

Maybe it was wrong to think of my roommate like this when I had no clue if she was even interested.

Either way, my life just got a whole lot more interesting.

Wren

Why did I let my roommates talk me into this? I thought for the hundredth time since we walked into this bar tonight. Whitaker Brews was packed, and the only thing keeping the panic at bay was the fact that it looked like a small-town bar instead of the clubs I was used to back in the city.

The same clubs that those assholes had drugged me in.

“Hey, you okay?” Devon asked, checking in when I wasn’t engaging in the conversation anymore.

“I will be,” I managed, not really wanting to lie about it. “Places like this are hard for me.”

His eyes widened. “Why didn’t you say something? We could have gone anywhere else.”

“No, sometimes stepping outside of our comfort zone is good,” I said, glancing around. “I’d like to try still.”

“Fine, but if it’s too much, you tell me,” he said, serious now. The way his brown eyes locked on me had my body warming in response.

Strangely, I liked having his full attention. He was also protective, something I craved.

“We aren’t trying to trigger you. We’re trying to get to know each other. Though, I think Grace picked about the loudest place possible for that to happen. We won’t be able to hear much without shouting.”

Everything he said was already practically yelled over the sound of the music. There was a live band here tonight playing a mix between country and rock that had the crowd going insane. Apparently, they were local legends or something.

“Do you guys want something to drink? I can get the first round,” Grace asked as she turned her attention back to us. It seemed she knew just about everybody here. She’d already greeted several people while the two of us stood back, soaking it all in.

“Just a Sprite for me,” I said, waiting for her to protest. Thankfully she just nodded and turned to Devon for his order.

“Anything fruity and in cocktail form and I’m a happy omega,” Devon said with a grin. I liked the way he smiled so easily. It drew me in and lit up his eyes, taking them from warm and inviting to practically glowing. I never realized how much depth brown eyes could have until now.

Maybe it was just the omega attached to them. I had a crush and it was such a bad idea.

“On it,” Grace promised, giving us a quick grin before hurrying off into the crowd. For being such a small Omega, she was moving through with no problem. People moved out of her way without question. What she lacked in height she made up with sass and smiles.

“I swear, she seems in her element everywhere,” I said. I didn’t think it was loud enough for Devon to hear, but he chuckled.

“She’s definitely got that brand of sunshine,” he agreed.

“So, tell me something about yourself, Devon,” I said, figuring we might as well use this time to get to know each other like we planned. That and I selfishly wanted to know more about him.

“My sob story is that I was raised in a pack that didn’t think male omegas should exist. Their greatest regret in life was that I didn’t present as a beta. As soon as I could, I got my ass out of there, and I’ve been on my own ever since. I’ve dated a bit here and there, but I was never the chosen mate.”

He shrugged like it was no big deal, but I could see the hurt written all over his face. That was something I could sympathize with. I’d felt that way far too often.

“Believe it or not, I used to be a lot like Grace. I was always excited and ready to face the world, and my enthusiasm was just too much for a lot of people.”

“What? I figured you were really shy,” he said, genuinely surprised. He was leaning in close enough I could catch small bursts of his soft green apple and cedarwood scent. It helped keep me grounded in the chaos of the bar.

---