Page 41 of Knot My Band: Part One
“And risk them getting hurt if there’s something wrong with them?” Aiden asks.
“Leave them,” Chase insists, stepping closer.
“Okay,” I agree, trying not to let the disappointment seep into my voice. “No anonymous bouquets. Safety first.”
“Exactly,” Jack chimes in, offering me that lopsided smile that’s all charm and trouble. “Who needs mystery flowers when you’ve got us, huh? We will buy you something even better. In fact, I already did.”
Jack reaches behind the couch and pulls out a wrapped present.
I snatch it from his hands with a shriek, ripping it open. There’s an orange stuffed seal that’s soft and cuddly. It’s covered in Jack’s coffee scent, making me squeal.
This is the first time he’s wrapped one of them, but these stuffed toys from every city we go to are so perfect that I never mind.
“I love it! Thank you so much, Jack!”
Jack pulls me in for a kiss, but Chase doesn’t let it last long.
“Speaking of something better,” Chase pulls me over to the side of the room, distracting me while the others remove the flowers.
“Yes, Chase?” I ask.
“Our next stop is L.A. I was thinking maybe you and I could have a date. We have another day off, and I have to ask before someone else beats me to it.”
I laugh. “That would be great, Chase. What are we going to do?”
His smile is giddy. “It’s a surprise.”
I nod. “Okay. I can’t wait.”
Chase grabs my hand and pulls me behind him. “Let’s get to the meet and greet.”
When we get into the room, it’s swarming with fans.
I move into position as the line of fans starts to move, their eager faces a blur of excitement and awe.
“Hey there, gorgeous,” I tease a fan who’s decked out in one of my vintage tees, her eyes wide as saucers. “Ready for a picture?”
She giggles, nodding furiously, and I can’t help but feed off her energy—it’s contagious.
“Can’t believe I’m actually meeting you,” a fan breathes out as she steps up, her eyes shimmering with tears of joy. I can tell she’s an omega despite her lack of scent.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” I say with a wink, wrapping an arm around her for the photo. “What’s your name?”
“Brittney. I have to tell you, you mean everything to me. My parents say I should focus on finding a pack, but I want to be like you.”
Tears prick at my eyes. This world wasn’t built for independent omegas, and I do everything I can to change that, but hearing it from an omega means so much to me.
I pull her into a tight hug. “You can do anything.” I point to Riley in the corner. “Go get my number from her and I’ll help you however I can.”
The girl nods and runs over to Riley, who smiles at me before talking to the girl.
I have to move on to the next fan, but I hope that girl really reaches out if she needs me. The guys are taking pictures and talking to fans, too, after they move away from me.
Fans shuffle forward in a seemingly endless stream, and I’m all grins and giggles, doling out hugs like candy on Halloween. Sharpies squeak as they skate across glossy photos, my name looping into autographs that some swear they’ll tattoo later.
It’s crazy.
“Thank you for being here,” I tell each one, meaning it from the bottom of my heart.
