Page 24 of Conflicting Lyrics
Smiling, I roll my eyes. “You make it sound like you have no choice in this.”
“I kind of don’t,” he responds with a chuckle. “But honestly, I don’t mind. I have nothing better to do. And hanging out with you isn’t so bad.”
“Gee, thanks,” I laugh. “And what do you mean you have nothing better to do? Don’t you have, like… friends, family, a pack to go home to at the end of the day? It’s the weekend. You should be out, enjoying yourself.”
It’s after supper, and normally, I’m curled up in my nest, toiling away at my school work, but after an hour, I knew I needed to get out of my house. I’ve been stuck inside for most of the day.
“I could say the same about you.” He raises a brow.
“Seeing how you’re the only friend I have here, and going out alone doesn’t sound like a fun time, studying at the library on a Saturday night doesn’t sound like a bad way to spend my time.”
He lets out a little sigh. “Don’t have many friends, unless you count colleagues. But seeing how most of them have packs and lives of their own, we don’t hang outside of work much.”
“And you don’t have a pack?” I press. Rick and I have become fast friends. I was quick to realize nothing will ever happen between us, even if some of his comments have my cheeks heating. He’s like the big brother I never had but wish I did.
At this point, this man knows most of my life story. But me? I know nothing about him. Apart from him being thirty-two and from Canada.
“No,” he murmurs. “No pack.”
The way he says it and the look on his face tells me there’s something more to that story. One that I’m not going to hound him on right now, but would like to find out eventually.
Sometimes, I can be a bit nosy. But it’s only because I care. And I just like to know things.
I changed the subject for the rest of the ride to the library. When we get there, Rick takes his place at the front of the room while I head over to one of the quiet working spaces.
With a heavy groan, I throw myself onto the empty couch and pull out my textbooks, getting straight to work.
After twenty minutes, I start to zone out, my brain turning to mush from all the studying I’ve been doing for most of the day.
My eyes try to focus on the page, but they keep going crossed-eyed, making the words go blurry. “Ugh,” I mutter, shaking my head as my eyes refocus before attempting to read the same line again. When it happens again, I let out an annoyed huff and start over.
“Do you mind?” a voice sounds from nearby.
Eyes lifting from the book, I look up to see a girl sitting on the couch across from me.Has she always been there?
“Sorry, what?” I ask, blinking, not sure what she’s talking about.
“I’m trying to focus, and your little sounds of frustration are messing with my flow.” She stares at me, blinking.
“Shit, sorry.” I laugh. “Maybe I should just call it a night. My brain and eyes are not working together.”
She lets out a sigh of her own. “I think I might do the same. I’ve been here all day, my ass is sore, and honestly, at this point, I’m just writing gibberish.” She places her laptop onto the coffee table in front of her before her eyes go wide.
“You okay?” I ask.
“Nope. Didn’t realize how bad I have to pee until just now.” She jumps to her feet, looking around frantically as she tries to gather her stuff.
“Go. I’ll watch this for you.”
She pauses, looking at me with her brown eyes. She’s a pretty girl. Short, long brown hair, and I might not be able to smell her, but I can tell just by looking at her she’s an Omega.
“Are you sure?” she asks, biting her lower lip. “I don’t know.”
“I mean, it’s that or pee your pants.” I chew on my lower lip, trying not to laugh.
“Fuck,” she hisses. “You're right. Okay, I’ll be right back.” She rushes off. “Please don’t let anyone take my stuff!” she calls out as she runs towards the bathroom.
Laughing, I shake my head and put my own things away. As I wait for her, I look around, tapping my fingers on my knees.
