Page 3 of Rhythm Of Our Souls
“Leave your brother alone,” Jack, my stepfather, chuckles. “Come eat.”
Jack’s a nice guy. Mom met him a few years ago. A meet-cute right out of a romance novel if you ask me. He’s a widower, lost his pack when Stella was a baby, and did the single dad thing her whole life, until he met Mom. I admire him. He’s a better father than mine ever was. I’m glad he came into our lives. He’s good for my mom. And Stella isn’t so bad either.
“You were right.” Lilly looks over at Stella, who I’m just now noticing is standing behind the couch. “He does look like shit.”
“Gee, thanks,” I mutter.
“You're welcome.” She grins widely.
“Told you. He’s working too hard,” Stella declares, her curly hair hanging around her face as she stands over me. “You need to take it easy before you burn yourself out.”
“What do you know about burnout?” I mutter.
“Lots. Skyler said he and the band got it. Mostly because that stupid manager of theirs works them so hard.”
“I don’t know why they’re complaining. They’re friggin’ rockstars!” Lilly sighs wistfully. “Oh, what I wouldn’t give to work alongsidetheAlly Cat.”
“I know!” Stella squeals. “She’s so amazing.”
“Alright, I’m done listening to this teeny bopper love fest,” I grumble, trying not to show just how sore I am as I get up off the couch.
“Ah, not a teenager,” Lilly grumbles.
“You're nineteen. Therefore, ateenager.”
“I’ll be twenty next month. It doesn’t count,” she huffs, crossing her arms. She has my mom’s looks: dark brown hair and bright blue eyes.
Do you know how hard it’s been to keep horny teenage Alphas away from her since she presented as an Omega?
Mom’s a Beta, so living with an Omega has been kicking my Alpha protective instincts into high gear the past two years. Big brother on crack if you ask me.
I hope that I’m long gone before Stella presents, because if she ends up being an Omega as well, I don’t think I’ll be able to handle two overly emotional girls at the same time.
Omegas going through puberty is not for the weak.
“And Ally Cat isn’t a teenager. She just turned twenty.” Lilly juts her chin out like she’s just told me off.
“Whatever you say.” I grin, messing up the hair on the top of her head.
“Ah, stop!” she screams. “I just did my hair!”
She punches me in the stomach, making me grunt with laughter. She shoots me an evil glare before turning around and storming off.
“Not cool,” Stella scolds me. “You don’t mess with a girl’s hair.” Giving me the middle finger, she takes off after Lilly.
“Stella!” Jack shouts after her. “No giving your brother the middle finger.” He turns to look at me. “Do you have to get them going?” he asks with an amused brow.
“Isn’t that what big brothers are for? Skyler isn’t here, so I have to do his part too.”
He shakes his head, but there's a grin on his face.
“You better go shower before your mom gets up. If she sees you’ve been sleeping on the couch, smelling like that, she’s going to flip.”
“I don’t smell,” I grumble, giving myself a subtle sniff.Okay. Never mind.“Yeah, that shower sounds good.”
He chuckles. “I’ll make some extra pancakes.”
“Thanks.”
