Page 78 of His Gentle Omega
“Don’t say anything, please,” I begged him, my voice shaking with emotion. “We’ll just keep a distance. Neighbors. Pleaseknow if you need anything, someone to watch Lucas, you can come to me. But I think you’re right. Until all this is settled between you and Edward, I think it’s best if we don’t…if we just keep away from each other.”
Slipping out the door, I closed it firmly behind me, thankful to find the foyer area empty of anyone waiting to use the facilities. Which I hoped meant no one had heard what we’d been up to. Or would ask what had taken me so long to pee.
Rubbing a hand over my face, I hurried over to the lounge chair Seth was still reclined on. Starting to gather my things, I gave the group of questioning eyes a wan smile.
“I’m not feeling that well,” placing a hand over my stomach, I tried to look sick. It wasn’t far from the truth, my emotions were all over the place making me feel slightly queasy. “I think I’m going to head home. Thank you for a wonderful afternoon, Gabe.”
There was a chorus of well wishes and get wells. Seth sat up, swinging his legs over the side of the lounger. Sliding his glasses down his nose, so he could see me above the rims, he smirked.
“Oh, something is not sitting well in your stomach all right, and it ain’t food, baby cakes.” Leaning forward, he whispered, “You smell like spunk, and that blond alpha you have heart eyes over.”
“Shut it!” Hissing, I grabbed my towel from underneath his leg, ignoring the curious looks from the others and Gabe’s raised brows. “You know too much sun makes me queasy.”
“So does too much cum,” he sassed, raising a dark brow at me.
“Oh snap!” Wade whispered, while Gabe groaned, covering his face with his large hand.
Rolling my eyes, I shoved my towel in a wad in my bag with more force than was needed. “Don’t be a dick. I’ll talk to you later. Not today. You’re pissing me off.”
Turning to the group, I told them sincerely, “It was really nice chatting with you all. Hopefully we can do this again before the summer is over.”
“Mmmm,” Wade tapped a finger against his lips. “I’m gonna add you to our little chat group.” He pointed his finger at Seth, “Both of you. I think you might need The Musketeers. Something is brewing here.” He waved a hand around, and I didn’t know if they had all guessed something really had gone down between Shay and me, or he was trying to conjure a spell. You never really knew with Wade; it could go either way.
I was positive they all suspected something; Shay and I had disappeared for way too long at the same time. Then Seth had opened his big, fat, gossipy mouth.
“Um, I’m not sure what that means, but sure.”
Waving to them all, I quickly made my way back to my house, locking my door behind me. Hoping Seth would respect my boundaries and would just let me wallow in my feelings for a bit. Plus, I really was miffed at him.
Hours later, amidst the sounds of firecrackers bursting loudly in the sky, I heard the sound of a key scrape in my front door. Soft footsteps that I recognized made their way slowly down the hallway, and I waited, facing away from the door. I’d been laying in my bed, staring out my bedroom window for hours.
The bed dipped as Seth laid down next to me, his chest brushing my back. His arms wrapped around me in a hug, and he rested his chin on my shoulder.
“I’m sorry, B,” he whispered, “I shouldn’t have teased you. Don’t stay mad at me. If it’s any consolation, Shay lookedwrecked the rest of the night. And I have to say that made me feel good. Because I hate seeing you hurting. It makes me stabby.”
“I’m not mad at you. I mean, I was. You’re such a brat sometimes, but I’m sorry I was so bitchy.”
He kissed my cheek, flopping onto his back and sprawling like a starfish. Rolling over, we both stared up at the ceiling. The pops of fireworks tossed colored lights along the ceiling and wall.
“You didn’t have to leave before the fireworks were done,” I whispered in the dark.
Seth shrugged. “I don’t like you being mad at me.” Turning on his side, he propped himself up on his elbow, so I did the same. “You’re really gone on this guy, huh? Is it the fated mate thing? Is that what has you so…”
“So?” Raising a brow at him, I waited to see how he was going to finish that sentence, my irritation coming back hard and fast. Which really wasn’t like me at all, but everything had me on edge lately, my fuse short.
“Don’t know,” he admitted, frowning, wrinkling his nose. “Not acting like yourself.”
Going back to staring up at the ceiling, I watched it turn red and orange and blue, as the sky outside exploded with colors and sound.
“Maybe.” I shrugged. “Probably. I don’t know. I think I love him.” I finally whispered, admitting to my bestie what I couldn’t admit to anyone else, especially Shay. “And I’m not what he needs right now, Seth. The worst thing is I know it, and I understand it, but it sucks. It sucks big time. He’s not a bad guy. He’s actually a really great guy, and I respect the hell out of him for knowing what is best for him and Lucas right now.”
I just wished what was best for them both was me.
Seth didn’t say anything, just wrapped me in his arms and let me softly sob into his shoulder until we both fell asleep.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Bennett
