Page 88 of Party Girl: How a Naughty Omega Finds Love
“They’re a handful.”
“I heard that,” Melanie shouts.
Asher’s dads walk over and sit on the couch opposite Avi and me.
“I guess you heard, but I’m Cody.” The man with the gray hair points at Asher’s almost twin. “This is Johnathan”—he jerks his thumb toward the other guy—“and Tim.”
“Hi.” I wave, cringing a little at my awkwardness. “I’m Whitney.”
Tim, the blond one, nods. “How long have you been with the pack?”
“Only a few days,” I say, sheepishly glancing at my hands.
“Ah, so you’re not in that much trouble,” Jonathan says to Asher and the guys. “I think we can find a way for Melanie to forgive you. Why didn’t you tell us you were going to the Compatibility Ceremony?”
Hayden takes the seat next to me, resting his hand next to my leg on the couch. He doesn’t touch me, but his fingers twitch a little. I suspect he’s restraining himself because he’s a beta.
“It was a last-minute decision,” Asher says from the stove. He’s taste testing the food for Melanie. She watches him with a doting, motherly smile that makes my chest ache.
“And we were a little distracted once we got Whitney home,” Trev says, casually leaning against the counter.
“I bet,” Cody says. “Remember when Melanie came home with us?”
Tim snorts. “You mean when she slapped you because she found the underwear in your room?”
I raise my eyebrows in question.
“We had a maid come clean the house before the ceremony. While we were out, she invited her mate over and they had sex on my bed.” Cody blushes a little and slides his gaze to Melanie. “She stole my heart with that slap.”
“Sounds so romantic,” Asher mumbles.
Melanie swats his arm, and he chuckles, giving her a quick hug and kiss on the side of the head. Everything is so sweet. Affectionate. The opposite of everything I know. It’s making me a little nauseous.
“What have you guys been up to?” Avi asks, changing the conversation before they can start asking about the matching.
I cross my legs so Melanie’s mates can’t see me link pinkies with Hayden. He squeezes my finger softly and the tension in my shoulders eases. The guys fall into conversation, and I sit as still as possible so as not to draw attention. The longer they talk, the more at ease I feel. The two packs are close, having known each other for years. Usually, I hate sitting and listening to people who have been friends for so long rehash their history, but the conversation is fascinating and I learn a few important things about Pack Cocker.
They all met when they were thirteen at a lake party. Asher’s parents had met up with a handful of friends and when the guys realized they’d been inseparable for the whole trip, the pack was formed.
They’ve lived in the house Curtis destroyed for three years.
Hayden may be a beta, but apparently, he’s just as bossy as an alpha when he’s drunk.
Trev saved a puppy from drowning.
Asher loves to joke—who knew?
Avi has always been more reserved, but on one camping trip he drank too much and streaked through the campgrounds.
When Melanie announces dinner is ready and everyone stops sharing old stories, I find myself a little sad. I liked learning about them.
We sit around a dining room table. Melanie sits at the head of the table and the men all take seats at the side. I hesitate, glancing at the other end and the remaining empty chair. Trev is sitting closest to the end and pointedly looks at the seat.
“Omegas get the best seat,” Melanie says with a playful smile. “I trained your men well.”
Asher woofs like a dog, and Avi cracks a big grin.
“If the shoe fits.” Melanie gestures toward the chair. “Take your seat, love.”
