Page 61 of Party Girl: How a Naughty Omega Finds Love
“Ghee, it’s clarified butter.”
“Oh. Where did you learn to cook?”
“My mom.” He spares me a glance before starting the next part. “She always said cooking brought her peace, and when I moved out and in with these guys, I finally understood. Plus, Hayden is the only one who knows how to cook anything, and even then, my food is better.”
“My mom always had me cook.” I stare at my drink, ignoring all the memories that want to flood my brain. The way her face would contort with rage when she didn’t like what I chose to make.
His back is turned toward me as he works, dropping onions into the sizzling pot. He works silently for a few minutes before adding ginger and garlic. “So what’s your favorite thing to cook?” He shifts through the spices on the spinning stand on the counter, grabbing what he needs and adding them to the pot. Avi moves like a well-oiled machine, opening a can of tomato puree next, while I contemplate his question.
Honestly? None of what I made was fun. It was something I had to do to stay out of trouble, and half the time not even that saved me from her wrath. I’m in the middle of trying to figure out how to tell Avi that when tires squeal outside. He drops the spatula he was holding and whirls around, shifting from relaxed to high alert in a matter of seconds. Reaching back, he turns the stove off.
“Stay here,” he says.
I sip my vodka to hide my scoff. Like I’m going to listen to that. He rips the door open and prowls outside. I slide off the stool and set my drink down, slinking to the door. The late afternoon air is stifling, the final stand of summer settling over the earth until it gives way to fall and cooler temperatures.
The car is still on, but Hayden doesn’t seem to notice once his eyes land on me. He disregards whatever Avi was telling him and rushes to me, jumping the two short steps and landing in front of me on the porch. He reaches for me then thinks better of it, balling his hands into fists at his sides.
“What an entrance,” I say, checking him out in his uniform. I prefer him in sweats and T-shirts personally, but no one asked me.
“I couldn’t stop thinking about you.” His gray eyes widen slightly like he didn’t mean to say that out loud.
“None of that, Trev won’t approve.” I tsk as two more police vehicles roll up. “Did something happen?” Trev and Asher jump out and head over, both of them puffed up and agitated.
“Curtis got out. He knows you’re staying with us.”
Dread drops in the pit of my stomach like a ten-pound weight. “How?”
Hayden shakes his head. “I don’t know…”
“That’s my fault,” Asher says. “He smelled you on me.”
My cheeks heat. I didn’t think my perfume was that strong, but my heat is only two weeks away. “Fucking hormones,” I mutter. Every day they’ll get stronger. Every day my scent will grow more potent.
Avi meanders back into the house, mumbling about finishing dinner.
“He’d be an idiot to try and come here. Trespassing will revoke his bail.” Hayden studies me. “Do you have something he wants?”
Trev runs his hands over his jaw. “Of course she does, she’s an omega, Hayden. What do you think Curtis wants?”
“He doesn’t want that.” I don’t know why I’m so sure of that fact, but I know Shelly would cut his dick off if he went near another omega. She doesn’t seem like the type to share.
“Well, he wants something,” Trev says.
“And what? Sex is the only thing you think I have to offer?”
Asher whistles and takes a few steps away from Trev, shaking his head. “She’s got you there, dude.”
Trev’s gaze hardens. “That’s not what I meant.”
“Whatever,” I say, shaking my head. “Avi needs my help.”
I leave the three of them on the porch to worry about what Curtis might do. I’m with Hayden, Curtis would have to be an idiot to come to their house, especially after he made bail. There’s no way he’d risk jail time just to come get me. I shudder at the thought of having to go back to the club.
Avi has dinner under control. I make myself another drink.
“You okay?” he asks, side-eyeing me as I fill my cup with ice.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” I close the freezer and move to the club soda.
