Page 24 of Omega's Refuge

I winced. “God, I can’t go back there. I’m too embarrassed.”

“You have nothing to be embarrassed about.” His gaze was sincere. “You didnothingwrong. Steve is the one who should feel embarrassed. He’s a dishonorable jerk. Besides, you wouldn’t have to tell anyone the truth. You could just say Steve got pulled away for work or something.”

“Even so,” I said in hushed voice. “It’s all couples. It would be so awkward to stay.”

“Why? The group likes you. They weren’t as thrilled with Steve because he was standoffish, but you fit in great.”

I smiled weakly. “I appreciate the compliment, but I’d feel weird as the only single person in the group.”

“Nobody would think twice about that.”

I stared at my hands. “I worry it might make me feel even more alone and pathetic.”

He studied me. “I suppose you’re mighty hurt right now.”

I sighed. “Yeah. Although, I feel more stupid than anything.”

“You don’t need to feel stupid for trusting your alpha. You’re supposed to be able to trusthim.” He stared out the windshield, his expression difficult to read.

I lifted one shoulder. “That may be true, but I still feel gullible.”

“That’s too bad.” He scowled. “If you can’t trust your alpha, who can you trust?”

“Not sure I’ll ever trust again, if I’m honest,” I muttered. I was angry with Steve, but it was hard to turn off my feelings for him instantly. We’d known each other so long, losing his friendship was as painful as losing his love. The memories of our youth together had always been so dear to me, but now they were simply agonizing.

“I understand why you’d feel that way.” Rex’s gaze was empathetic. “But going down that road would hurt you more than him. Nobody should live their life alone.”

“Alone seems safer.”

“And sadder.”

I grimaced and rubbed my face roughly. I dropped my hands to my lap, feeling lost. “I don’t know what to do, Rex,” I said softly. “I really don’t think I can face anyone at the ranch right now.”

He nodded, his face tense. “How about we get you drunk, and worry about what you need to do later?”

“How is getting drunk going to help anything?” I wasn’t opposed to drinking, but Iworried I might get emotional if I got drunk. I wasn’t sure I wanted Rex seeing me like that.

“Maybe it won’t help, but I doubt it will do any harm.” He gave a weak smile. “Might numb the pain a little.”

I swallowed hard, tempted to give in. “I’m feeling pretty raw. I don’t want to embarrass myself in front of you.”

“We’ve all been hurt, Tanner. I’m not one to judge a person for having feelings.”

“There’s being hurt, and then there’s being abandoned by your alpha.”

“Doesn’t make much difference what the circumstances are when your heart’s been stomped on.” He exhaled and opened his door. “Come on. I’ll buy the first few rounds.”

I hesitated, but then got out of the truck and followed Rex into the building. Inside, it was dark, with pine tables and chairs, and sawdust on the floor. A jukebox blared country tunes in the corner, and I followed Rex to a booth in the back of the room.

I slid into the red vinyl booth, still in shock at what was happening. Rex went up to the bar, and after a few minutes returned with two pints and two shots. He sat across from me, his expression serious.

“I thought the shot of whiskey could get us jump started,” he said, picking up his shot glass. I followed suit and we clinked glasses. “To findinganswers,” he said huskily, then he threw his shot back.

I did the same, wincing as the whiskey burned my throat on the way down. I coughed a few times, and then leaned my elbows on the table, feeling dejected. My chest ached so painfully, it was hard to breathe. I literally couldn’t believe what was happening. Steve had abandoned me without a word and run off with Tony. I’d known Tony was trouble the minute I saw Steve talking to him, but I hadn’t seen this coming.

“So much for Tony not crossing any lines,” I said bitterly.

Rex’s jaw tensed. “I’m sorry. I don’t even know what to say. If Tony truly did run off with Steve—”

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