Page 40

PULLING THE RUG

Pember

By the time the end of the day rolled around, Pember was so exhausted he could barely keep his eyes open. Maya came striding into the canteen, her long black hair cascading down her back in ringlets. Slapping Pember across the shoulder, she pulled up a seat next to him.

“Hey, we’re meeting at seven tonight. Tokyo Treasures, yeah?”

Pember groaned, holding his head in his hands. “I don’t really feel like going tonight, May. Today’s been a bit… much.”

She huffed and yanked his hands away. “Oh come on. What else are you gonna do? Sit at home with the old bint, crocheting and watching Countryfile ? A few drinks, sushi and company with other omegas will do you the world of good.”

Pember was about to say that staying home and watching Countryfile with Val sounded like a bloody great idea, but Maya’s expectant expression made it extremely difficult to say no.

Giving her a tired smile, he nodded. “Okay, but I’m not staying late. And don’t call her a bint . She’s a lady.”

Maya beamed at him. “Sure, sure. And that’s what they all say. Once you’ve got a few in the tank you’ll be well on your way.”

“If you say so.”

Later that night, Pember sighed and stared up at the No Shifting sign as it swayed idly in the evening breeze. He’d asked Blake to dog-sit for a few hours, which had quickly turned into a doggy sleepover when they saw just how excited Bailey and George had been at the prospect of sharing a basket.

Pember smiled to himself, picturing them on a little doggy date, complete with spaghetti over candlelight.

The sushi restaurant was located down a narrow alleyway at the base of a topsy-turvy Tudor Era building. Directly opposite was the side entrance for the Nock and Ore Pub, its black painted door creaking on its hinges as university students drunkenly ventured in and out.

A good portion of High Enfield, like West Newton, consisted entirely of listed buildings, all of which looked like they were one good gust of wind away from crumbling.

Both the restaurant and the pub were extremely busy, if the bodies pressed up against the condensated windows were anything to go by.

Someone bumped his shoulder, knocking him into another person who was smoking outside the pub. “Look out, handsome,” the man said, lazily dragging his eyes up and down Pember’s body. He blew a puff of smoke in his face, which he assumed was meant to be sexy, but was absolutely not.

Pember hated it, and now that he was there, even the sexiest outfit in the world couldn’t make him look forward to hours of loud noise, forced conversation and drunk people. He’d worn his hair loose, like Maya had told him to, but quickly found it irritating so he clipped it back from his face.

Was there something wrong with him? He was a twenty-four-year-old, single omega for God’s sake, it should have been the best time of his life. Instead, all he wanted to do was go home, cook a meal and eat it with Val, Blake and the dogs.

Sighing, he slipped his phone out of his jeans pocket and tried to think of a convincing excuse to give Maya. The flu? Upset stomach? He’d been attacked by a swarm of angry bees on the way home, and now his face looked like the Elephant Man’s?

You and the gang have fun, though, and take lots of food pics!

Shaking his head, he began typing as he drifted towards the end of the alleyway. ‘ Still not feeling it, please apologise to the others for me. See you tomorrow. ’

Just as he hit send, a rough hand clapped around his shoulder. “Pember!”

His heart sank as he came face to face with Sal in all her pixie-cut glory.

She beamed at him, throwing her arms wide and pulling him into a hug.

She wore a stunning, figure-hugging dress that rode high on her neck and had a deep slit, showing off one long, lean thigh.

The obnoxious wrist cast did nothing to detract from the look.

“Good to see you again. Fun day at work?” she said.

“Um—” Fuck. “—yeah. Yes, thanks. And you?”

Sal shrugged. Gripping his shoulder, she turned him towards the restaurant. “Oh, you know, same shit different day. Oh, look! Everyone’s already here. Hi, guys!” She waved at someone in the window, and they waved back.

There was a whoosh as the chilly air from outside hit the warm atmosphere of the restaurant, and before Pember could object they were already five steps inside. The chatter from the other customers abruptly fell away, and Pember found himself drifting behind Sal.

Thankfully, she made an excellent—and beautiful—human shield as they sidestepped through the tightly packed tables and into a little side-booth. As they sat down, the conversation picked up again and the thrum of the restaurant washed over him.

Maya stood, her dark hair hanging loose around her shoulders. “Pem!” she said, her black blazer shifting as she threw her arms wide. “This is everyone. Everyone, this is Pember!”

Pember exhaled sharply, realising he’d forgotten to breathe.

Someone reached for his hand—a gorgeous blonde-haired omega in a loose-fitting emerald shirt and jeans. “Nice to meet you. I’m Leo,” he said, shaking Pember’s hand.

Leo. He had an easy-going smile, freckled cheeks, and looked completely at ease in his own skin. Pember swallowed, about to pull his own clammy hand out of the shake, when Leo gripped his fingers and pulled him forward. Without missing a beat, Leo’s lips pressed to his knuckles.

“You smell good,” he murmured, eyes drifting shut.

“Leo, rein it in!” Maya slapped the back of his head, making him release Pember with a grunt.

“What? I told you I’m horny as fuck tonight, and you make me eat sushi.”

Pember flushed and Leo winked, sticking out his tongue before taking a seat again. Maya scowled before gesturing to a dark-haired man slumped in the corner. He must have been the same age as Pember, but his drawn face and tight jaw made him look considerably older.

“And this is Ru.”

Ru barely looked up, only giving a small nod in acknowledgement. Maya tutted, then ruffled his short hair. “He’s a little socially awkward, but we’re working on it, right, buddy?”

Ru glanced up, his hazel eyes flitting over Pember’s face. “Y-yeah,” he said, giving Pember a tight-lipped smile. “Nice to meet you.”

There was a moment of awkward silence before Maya clicked her fingers and summoned a waiter. “Mimosas?” she said.

“Hell yeah!” Leo cried, slapping the table, which made Ru flinch.

Pember sidestepped into the booth, finding himself situated opposite Maya and between Sal and Leo. Ru remained in his line of sight next to the window.

They ordered food, chatting back and forth and asking Pember a lot of questions about his life, some of which he answered truthfully, others he didn’t.

At one point the conversation moved on to Leo talking about some beta he’d had sex with, which was when Pember started to zone out.

He must have been more tired than he realised, because his eyes were growing heavy as he stared out of the window.

Maya tutted, leaning across the table to ruffle his hair. “Try and relax, Pem. This isn’t a job interview,” she said, eyeing his clasped hands on the table.

He gave her a small smile. “I know. I’m just tired. It’s been a long day.”

Maya sighed, but then frowned as she hooked two fingers in his hair. Pember went to pull away, but the next thing he knew she was yanking her hand back and ripping the clips out. He yelped, fingers touching his hairline.

She leant back, gripping the clips and a few strands of his hair between her fingers. “Didn’t I tell you to wear it down?” she said, expression hard and voice low.

Pember swallowed, mouth twitching. “I-I… what?”

Sal leant across the table and pinched Maya’s wrist. They shared a look before Maya dropped the clips into an empty glass and turned back to the conversation with Leo.

Pember sat there, staring at her and feeling like the ground was about to swallow him whole.

Her eyes flitted to him once, a self-satisfied smirk tipping the corner of her mouth.

Sal and Leo continued chatting despite the awkward moment, and Ru said nothing as he looked down at the table.

His wide hazel eyes occasionally drifted up to Pember, but when he looked like he was about to speak he glanced away again.

Pember gave him a look of sympathetic misery.

Whilst Maya ordered another round of sushi to the table, Pember finished his mojito and slipped his phone out of his pocket. There was a message from Blake, sent over an hour ago.

It read, ‘ Having fun? I sure am. ’ Followed by a photograph of him and Val sitting at the kitchen table with a destroyed Monopoly board between them.

Cherry was ripping up the fake money with her beak, whilst George stood on Bailey’s back and reached for the open packet of treats on the side. It was carnage. Beautiful carnage.

Pember nibbled his lip, staring down at the photograph.

Blake’s glasses were pushed back through his hair, the dark under-eye circles making a return, but he had a relaxed look of resigned contentment.

Warmth swelled in Pember’s belly, and he had a hard time stopping a smile from spreading across his face.

He caught Ru’s eye again, and quickly covered his mouth to whisper, “Do you want to go?”

Ru only blinked and looked away. Eventually, Pember sighed and said, “I’m going to get another drink. Want anything?” He rose from the booth and held out a hand to Ru.

Ru looked at it, looked as though he was about to take it before Sal slapped two tenners across Pember’s palm.

“Cosmo, please. And a vodka martini for Leo.”

Pember gave a tight-lipped smile. “Sure.”

When Ru didn’t follow, Pember squeezed between the tables, taking a detour past the bar and into the upstairs omega toilets. He couldn’t tell if it was the two drinks, or the uneven staircase that was making it difficult to walk, but he eventually made it to the obnoxiously swanky bathroom.