Page 4 of My Three Hometown Alphas

“Tell me about your sister,” I say. “The good stuff.”

He gives me a sad smile. “She’s my twin sister, though we look nothing alike. Liv has the biggest heart. She’s an amazing mom. She’s my best friend. My other half.” There’s glossiness in his eyes now. “I don’t know what I’m going to do without her.”

Fuck.

That can only mean one thing. Terminal.

My fingers clench against his, trying to give him any comfort I can.

“We just found out earlier this week. I couldn’t be here when she’s there going through all of this,” he says, a single tear falling down his cheek. He wipes it away with his free hand.

“You won’t regret going,” I say.

He turns to look at me, letting out a heavy exhale. “I know I won’t.” He takes a deep breath. “Is your dad going to be okay?”

“I hope so.”

“I do, too,” he says, and I know he means every word.

“I lost my mom when I was a kid, so he’s all I have left,” I say, feeling a tear fall down my own cheek.

His callused thumb wipes the wetness away. His hand stays there for an extra breath, just cupping my cheek. When he pulls away, I shift in my seat so I can rest my head against his shoulder.

We sit there in silence. It feels like the most natural thing in the world.

I might have met this man no more than twenty minutes ago, but it doesn’t matter. His pain reflects my own. I think my soul saw it in him before I even consciously registered it.

People scurry about around us. Announcements ring over the intercom. I’m not really aware of any of it, though.

I’m only in tune with the rise and fall of his shoulder with each breath and the small line he’s tracing over the back of my hand.

With his free hand, he skims over the tattoos on my forearm, which sits on the arm rest between us.

“I like these,” he says, quietly.

“I do, too,” I say with a small smile. “Do you have any?”

He gives my hand a squeeze before letting go. He unbuttons his shirt so he can roll it up. I can’t see all of it because his shirt rests just below his elbow.

I grip his arm with both hands, marveling at the intricate design. “Damn, this is amazing.”

“Thanks.”

His eyes are locked on me. The sensation of his skin against mine is intoxicating. I want to sink into this feeling.

I know it won’t take away what I’m about to face once I get back to Austin, but maybe I can breathe for a few minutes.

“I know this is probably going to sound crazy…” I start.

The corner of his mouth quirks up. “That’s never a good way to start a sentence.”

I roll my eyes. “Just listen to me.”

“Yes, angel.”

“I don’t want to be sad for a little while. I just want to feel something else.”

“And what do you want to feel?”