Page 4 of Admiring His Omega (Hobson Hills Omegas #12)

“Unrequited love?” Mal gave him a sympathetic look. “I’m very familiar with that.”

“Not love.” Cain’s face flushed. “Not yet. It could be though. Call it an intense case of like. No one else stands a chance as long as I’m around him.”

“Why is it impossible? Life can really surprise you. For example, one of my other cousins always wanted to be an artist, but he gave up on that idea since it seemed too far-fetched. He became a nurse instead. Then, years later, his art started to sell. He just recently quit his job at the hospital and started painting full time.”

“How many cousins do you have? Never mind. It really is impossible. Besides the fact that he’s a good friend, he’s in a loving relationship and he’s currently an employee.

There are many reasons he isn’t a good choice for me.

” Cain shook his head. “No, I think it will be best for me to leave Atlanta all together.”

“I completely understand.” Mal leaned forward. “Do you want to go on the road with me? My couch pulls out into a bed.”

Despite the heavy conversation, Cain struggled not to laugh. This omega was completely ridiculous. They had only just met. “As tempting as that sounds, I plan to move to Hobson Hills permanently. I’m not happy with my life in Atlanta, so I will build a new one here. Hopefully with someone fitting.”

Mal clapped happily. “Yes! Good. Your brothers and parents will really like that. Personally, I think your dad misses you the most. He’s always bragging about you and gets excited when you come by to visit.”

“It really does worry me that you know us well enough to say that.” Cain drank the last of his tea. “Now, you promised to tell me your story.”

“Oh, yeah.” Mal narrowed his eyes. “You promise you won’t tell anyone what I’m about to say?”

“Did you break any laws?” Cain felt it was prudent to ask before he promised to keep quiet.

“None that were important.”

“All laws are important.” Cain rubbed his face again and sighed. “Why do I feel like you won’t listen to me anyway? Fine. I promise I won’t tell anyone what you say.”

“You and I have a lot in common.” Mal gave him a dramatically sad look. “It was a classic cliché for me. I fell in love with my straight best friend. He fell for one of my younger cousins. They’re married now. I’m a godparent to their daughter. Woe is me. I shall never be happy again.”

Cain studied the omega. Mal seemed to want to laugh it off, but Cain could sense some real pain behind the smiles. In situations like this, there were no villains to blame. No one to take your anger out on. People couldn’t help how they felt. “Was it really love?”

Mal nodded. “Oh yeah. Took years for it to grow, but it was rooted deep.”

“Do they live in Thorn Creek?”

“Yep.” Mal took a swig of his tea. “I see them any time I go home.” He shrugged.

“Trina is family, and Rick and I still stay in touch. He’s in my D I did the design. We had more in the works, and it could have turned into something big. Our families thought we’d start a business together. Our paths were set.”

“What happened?”

“Rick started dating Trina, and I decided I wanted out. We sold the app, made a bit of money, and I bought my RV and hit the road. I always wanted to come to Hobson Hills, so this was one of the destinations on my map.”

“Why Hobson Hills?” Cain asked, baffled. “How did you even know it existed?”

Mal avoided his gaze. “A family member mentioned it. Anyway, that’s my sad story. I was forced into a nomadic lifestyle because of unrequited love.”

“Does it help?” Cain asked, voice soft. “Being far away?”

A variety of emotions played across the omega’s face.

“At first, it was absolutely necessary. It was exhausting seeing them together all the time and having to act like everything was great. Now, though, it’s just convenient.

Being physically distant doesn’t mean we’re not close.

It just let me set my boundaries and heal.

I think I’ll always love him a little, but after five years of being apart, that affection doesn’t control my life anymore. I can move on.”

“I really like that.” Being around Jasper wasn’t torture for Cain, but it wasn’t pleasant. He didn’t want to imagine being in a position like Mal’s, and if he stayed right where he was in Atlanta, Cain knew the situation would get worse. “Do you think you’ll fall in love again?” he asked.

“I sure hope so.” Mal grinned. “Unrequited love sucks, but I’ve seen love work too. But that’s not my whole life. I like who I am now. I’m happy without being one half of a whole.”

“Do the tricks help keep you happy?” Cain asked. “Would pranking Ernie really help you feel better?”

Mal met his gaze, puppy eyes pleading. “It feeds my soul.”

“He has a trail camera set up behind the house.” Cain stood and pulled Mal to his feet. “He checks it every other day. You should take off the ammo belt. While it is true to Chewie, you will resemble a sasquatch more without it.”

Mal grinned and the room brightened again. “I think I could fall in love with you, Cain Benson.”

“You are far too easy to impress. Come along. I fly out in the morning, so if Ernie checks the camera and sees a sasquatch running off with me, he will believe it for a while.”

Mal ran for the door. “You are seriously the best person in the whole world. I will cook for you anytime you want, Benson. Anytime. Do you think I can carry you on my shoulder? I have a strong core. You are so joining my yoga group now. What times work well for you?”

Cain sighed and closed his eyes, wondering where he had gone wrong.