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“Number one cheater, maybe.” Connor huffs and I wiggle out of Nate’s arms and tuck myself into his.

“Don’t be salty that I finally beat you.”

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever,” he teases, kissing my hair and pulling me toward the exit again. “Next time I’m gonna kick your ass.”

I like this Connor. The one that jokes and plays more. It almost feels like we’re learning how to do it together.

“You want a rematch already, or are you scared to lose?”

“As long as you’re here, I’m not losing a thing.” Connor’s grip on me tightens. “But I’ll let you try to beat me again anytime, angel.”

Instinct pushes me to kiss his cheek and I’m ecstatic when he blushes so hard his ears tip red too. “So, you admit I won that race?”

“Uh, actually, I won.” We all turn and find an indignant five-year-old and his laughing parent staring at us. I expect the guys to ignore the boy or brush him off, but Connor goes down on one knee, smiling.

“We meant in our little group, but you’re right. You won. Awesome job.”

The kid sniffs. “My daddies say you have to tell the truth, so I wanted to make sure you knew.”

Oh my god, they’re socute.

“Thanks, bud.” Connor bites back his grin. “Hey, do you think you could take a picture of our pack? I want to remember tonight.”

The kid looks at his dad, who nods. “I guess.”

Nate fishes out his phone to hand over, and I frown at Connor. “Where’s yours?”

“Left it at home.”

For me. He left it at home so I wouldn’t get upset about it going off.

Oh my god, I’m melting over basic respect. Send help.

Connor grabs my hand. “Come here, angel. Take a picture with us.”

The guys move around me like I’m their sun. Nate warms my back, hands low on my hips. Dez captures Connor and me with arms around our necks, pulling us close with a kiss to my temple. Through it all, the pack lead keeps our hands together, thumb stroking the back of mine.

Even when I throw my pointer finger up. “First place, baby!”

Connor rolls his eyes, but I see the smirk. The way he’s trying to hide how funny he thinks I am.

I see all.

“Can we get another, please?” He asks our photographer before turning to me with a playful glare. “Maybe without the bragging?”

“Ugh. Fine.

The pack and I settle a little closer, smiles wide, hearts quiet, and when the shutter sounds, I know this is a memory I’ll cherish forever.

STAGE-FIVE CLINGER

NATE

Can’t sayI’ve ever shut down a go kart place, but there’s a first time for everything. After too many rounds of racing and alotof shit talking—mostly by a certain omega, thank you very much—the staff walks us to our cars with a politeplease don’t come back soon.I hand them a stack of bills in apology, and they change their tune, but we laugh about it anyway.

Daphne’s glowed all night. The more we talked, touched and laughed, the happier she became. There is no brighter star than the one we’ve spent the night circling.

“Come home with us?” Connor murmurs, hauling Daph close and scent marking her cheeks.