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JOSIE

T he Omega in my arms is too young to need my services. She only presented two years ago, so for her to need me feels off. Like there’s something wrong, almost. She’s sweet, so I don’t mind spending time with her. She nestles in a little closer to me, and I oblige her by holding her closer.

“Thanks again for this,” she tells me softly.

It’s probably the fifth time she’s thanked me since I got here.

“Hey, it’s no problem. Not only is it what I do, but I understand the need. It’s okay.”

She sighs and relaxes more into me. We’re close to the end of her hour, and that’s always the hardest part.

Even though they know the session is only an hour, they all give me hopeful eyes that I’ll extend their time for just a little more.

A little more touch, a little more comfort.

However, I’d never leave if I did that, so the hard hour limit is set.

“Tell me about school,” I request.

I can feel her smile against my collarbone.

I’m a tall Omega, that’s for sure. It’s not super rare, but the majority of Omegas are usually 5’5” and under.

I stand at 5’10”, so the smaller ones can easily cuddle in.

It would be easy to feel jealous because I’ll never be that dainty, but it makes my job easier with the difference.

If I can help another Omega, that’s good enough for me.

“I think it’s going well. My professors are all nice this year, and I’m happy with my Beta bodyguard. Dad insisted, so I couldn’t refuse, but it seems like overkill sometimes. He’s nice enough, though, and I know he’ll chase off any bad Alphas. It doesn’t hurt that he’s cute.”

“Ohhhh, I see where this is going. Has he touched you yet?”

Most people feel a zing of energy, or a zap, when they touch their Match.

There can be more than one Match, but it’s not necessary for mating.

If there’s consent from both sides, mate bonds can be formed between any designation.

However, it’s fun to ask and see if someone has found one of their Matches.

“No.” She laughs lightly. “Not skin to skin, at least, he’s careful to only touch where my clothing is. And before you ask, he wears blockers so I can’t tell how he smells.”

I sigh dramatically. “You’ve been clit blocked. That’s some tragic shit right there.”

She giggles, and my heart lightens at the sound. If I can make the Omegas I work with laugh, even better. They may require touch to stay healthy, but when I can bring joy, too, that brings some emotional relief to the table, not just physical relief.

“Well, I suppose we’ll find out some day. Maybe an Alpha will Match with me and he’ll go into a rage of jealousy and demand to join whatever Pack accepts me.” Her voice is wistful as she plays out the drama in her head.

“Whatever happens, I hope it’s amazing for you,” I tell her honestly.

We chat about nothing for the last few minutes, with small, quiet pauses.

There aren’t many Omegas I’m willing to do regular visits with, but if she asks, I will for her.

Most of the time, I get called in for one-off sessions, Omegas whose Pack or family is away for more than a couple of days.

My Betas are the ones who take regulars.

With this Omega, though, I want her to have some stability as she moves through her college experience.

She doesn’t talk about home life much, but I know she has some family who helps her pay for my services.

She’s softhearted, and if I can give her some solid Omega support, I think she’ll really benefit from it.

My timer goes off with a gentle chime, and she sighs. I give her one more squeeze before I remove my arms and move my body a bit away. She sits on her own and looks at me with a small smile.

“Can I thank you now that we’re done?”

I chuckle. “Sure, if it will make you feel better.”

Her smile is radiant. “Thank you so much. What you do is amazing.”

“I’m glad I can help,” I reply, my cheeks burning.

I grab my timer and bag, making sure all my things are where I put them.

She walks me to the door and we say our goodbyes, no hugs or handshakes.

I make sure there are specific rules about when we touch and when we do not.

I’m too paranoid not to. We wave goodbye as I head to my compact SUV and turn toward home.

My body is tired, and I just want to curl up with some blankets.

I started my company, Touch Helpers, to help Omegas who aren’t getting enough touch in their lives.

It feels like my own body hates touch, though.

Each session leaves me fairly drained, and I find myself retreating further into my introvert lifestyle.

Deep down, I recognize it’s my own touch issues causing the exhaustion.

My Omega side didn’t get enough touch as a child, and it caused a more severe version of Touch Sickness.

NTS, Non-Touch Syndrome – when Touch Sickness eventually becomes more permanent.

Meaning, too much touch actually causes discomfort and drains my energy.

The doctors told me I’ll only be comfortable with touches from my Mate Matches, but that I’ll likely never recognize my Mate Matches by touch.

Pretty dumb, right? There is only one way to be 100% certain of a Match, and it’s through touch.

If you have a Match, your body feels a zing of energy.

So, if I ever do find Matches, I’ll have to rely on scent and hope that they’re not lying if they say they feel our Match.

I could scent to multiple people, but the scents of my Matches should be irresistible.

We’ll see about that one, but I’m pretty doubtful.

Once I’m back in my small condo, I close all the decorative drapes, letting light into the space, but muted now.

I make my way into my nest next, turning on my fairy lights and closing the light-blocking curtains.

After a moment of shuffling and burrowing, I feel sufficiently cocooned, and I finally relax.

My fingers touch the shirt I stole years ago, and even though his scent is long gone, the fabric still brings me calm and comfort.

I pull out my phone from my pocket and lay it on the blanket next to me after dialing his number.

“Josie Girl, how are ya?”

I smile. “Better now. Just got done with a job.”

“Oh, do you need me to come over?” he asks.

“Victor, I don’t need you to come over after every job. Besides, you live like a million hours away,” I tell him.

“As your best friend, it’s my duty to ask. Even if coming over is a bit unreasonable.”

My smile widens, and I let out a small laugh.

“Tell me about her. Him?”

“A female Omega, she’s adorable, just starting college on her own, so when she started noticing some symptoms, she reached out. She’s got a supportive family, but they’re not nearby. Doesn’t have anyone to help her out right now.”

“Well, now she has the best,” Victor teases.

My fingers rub on his shirt beneath my blankets, and I can’t help but think that he’s way better than I am.

We’ve been best friends since we were in our early teens.

My foster family at the time sent me to the same school he was in, but it didn’t last long.

They had to move out of state, and I couldn’t go, so I was shipped elsewhere.

During those six months at the same school, Vic and I bonded as best friends and never lost touch.

However, it’s probably been a year since I’ve seen him.

“Pretty sure you’re the best,” I finally retort.

He laughs, and I find myself laughing along, just out of desire to join him.

“How are you doing?” I divert attention away from me.

“I’m good, but I’m about to be even better.”

“Oh? Do tell.”

“Well, I just got news,” he pauses for dramatic effect, “that I’m being transferred to a new location!”

I’m confused, “I thought you liked where you are.”

“I do, it’s great here, but where I’m going is going to be even better.”

My heart breaks a little. I’m worried he’s going to go even further away than he is now.

Right now, it’s a 20-hour drive to him, so we don’t see each other much more than once a year.

If he moves any further, it’s going to be even harder.

I don’t want to make him feel bad, though, so I try to mask my fear.

“Wow! That’s great. I’m glad you’re so excited.”

“Want to know where I’m going?” he teases.

No, not really.

“Yeah, tell me!”

“I’m moving to Blackford.”

Blackford? As in, my city Blackford? A giddy feeling starts in my chest, but I don’t want to get ahead of myself. There are other cities with that name, too.

“Oh, wow! So, like… my Blackford?” I ask tentatively.

Vic laughs, “Yes! Your Blackford! I’m moving to the same city as you.”

My body is exhausted and I’m so damn lonely, and those are the two excuses I’m going to use for the tears that now burst out of me. I start sobbing like an idiot on the phone.

“Oh, Josie, are you okay? Do… do you want me not to move there?” He sounds so unsure.

“No! I mean, I do want you to, I’m just…” I can’t finish the sentence, I’m hiccupping and trying to calm my emotions with deep breaths.

“Me too, Josie Girl, me too.”

If I didn’t know better, I’d say he sounds a little choked up, too. I force a deep breath, working my emotions down so I can have a rational conversation. God, I miss him.

“Do you have a place yet?” I ask him through my final sniffles.

“Soon, I have a couple of leads that I’m sure will pan out. I move in a month.”

“I miss you so much, Vic,” I confess.

“I miss you, too, Josie Girl. Soon enough you’ll wish I was gone, though, I’m gonna bug the shit out of you.” He laughs.

My heart feels a bit lighter now that I’ve calmed down, so we continue our bantering about nothing.

We get along so well that I’ve always wondered if he could be a Match, but I can barely remember what he smells like.

Then again, I’m not sure I want us to be.

If we are Matches, is he going to want a full Pack?

I’m not sure how I would handle that. It’s always been just me.

Even if we ended up as a Pack of three, who would we find for an Alpha?

What Alpha wants an Omega with Touch Sickness?

No, for now it’s better to keep my brain firmly in the friend zone, I don’t need to get ahead of myself. I can focus on just enjoying our friendship and worry about the rest later. My bestie is going to be here soon, and I can’t wait to see him again.