Page 18

Ziggy

It was late Sunday afternoon and Ziggy couldn’t remember the last time he’d spent so much time with someone and not found himself twitchy to leave.

Frey was so easy to be around when he wasn’t putting on the flirty act.

Over the last few days, they had chilled, mostly lounging opposite each other on Frey’s large, comfy couches to watch TV.

Frey’s heat had not gone to any plan, or at least not the one they’d prepared for. Basically, it hadn’t happened in any proper way. Frey’s temperature had risen slightly and when he’d thought about Booker, he’d gotten hot and bothered, just not enough to hunt the alpha down to do the sexy stuff.

The need for Ziggy to help hadn’t transpired and he could admit to himself he was a little relieved.

He liked Frey a lot, as a friend, and the last few days had only confirmed what a great guy Frey was.

Ziggy just really wasn’t interested in sex with him when all he could think about was Silas.

Which was fine, because Frey wasn’t interested in him.

They’d had a couple of awkward moments when Frey had gone to change into the underwear Ziggy had found on the internet that kept Frey’s junk covered, but had a small opening at the rear for the use of toys.

Discrete pants. They’d laughed about it once they’d figured nothing was going to happen, because the things were the most unsexy underwear Ziggy had ever had the misfortune to see.

Ziggy’s lingerie fetish meant he’d absolutely never wear something so ugly. He’d said as much to Frey, which had brought about a discussion and a fashion show of Ziggy’s lingerie.

It was good to laugh and have fun after the upheaval of the last couple of weeks and the discovery at the factory in Drinkwater. Frey, having been there, had talked about the feel and smell of the place. Of his guilt at leaving the omegas chained up to suffer.

They talked about other things, mainly about Booker.

Frey was clearly in love with the big bear.

Ziggy was a good friend and didn’t make a big deal about pointing it out.

Despite all of that, Ziggy kept quiet about Silas and his totally knobbish behavior.

Silas was a private person, which Ziggy got, and he’d never discuss something so personal when the other person didn’t want that.

The uncertainty between them was something he’d worked hard not to dwell on.

Especially as he still was clueless why Silas continued to give him the cold—angry shoulder.

So when Hollis asked if he’d switch with Wilder, he’d not given it any hard thought and agreed without argument.

Putting some distance between him and Silas was the right decision because, although on the surface what they had together was just sex, it had gone way beyond that for him.

He could admit to himself, with distance and perspective, how much it hurt to be discarded without a thought.

To have his heart engaged in this way was a painful position to be in when he’d known from the beginning that Silas wanted nothing serious. He had no one to blame but himself.

A sigh slipped out, and he masked his thoughts when Frey shifted on the couch to look at him. “Want to switch the movie?”

“Nah. I was just thinking it was maybe time for me to head home.”

Frey aimed sad eyes at him. “Do you have to? I’ve had just the best weekend. Chilling with you, binge eating and watching box sets has made this…”—He flicked a hand between them—“bearable.”

“I’ve had fun, and it’s been like having a mini vacation, only without the stress of traveling. But all good things have to come to an end, and I need to get some things sorted for work tomorrow.”

“How do you think you’ll enjoy working with Jupiter when you get back?” Frey asked, a spark of interest in his eyes as he sat forward, crossing his legs in a lotus position.

“Not sure. If Wilder hasn’t been exaggerating when we’ve chatted, which, after seeing Jupiter at Sinful I’d say not, I feel like he’ll be a handful.”

“And Silas wasn’t?” Frey asked, wagging his eyebrows.

“No. No, he’s dedicated, hardworking, and focused. He doesn’t sit back and expect others to do all the hard graft. It’s a good quality for someone who is now the representative of such a big company.”

Frey’s gaze narrowed on him. “You like him,” he accused.

“I do. I like all the brothers.” It was the truth.

They were a tight unit. Family who stood up for each other.

The press conference was a prime example of that.

As was the awfulness of Drinkwater and how they rallied to buy the company, despite the fact that it might never bring them any profit.

It wasn’t all about the money. The profit margin.

These men had been raised to respect and appreciate everyone.

They stood up for those who couldn’t stand up for themselves. Who wouldn’t find that attractive?

“They all have good qualities, even Jupiter. Not that Wilder has a good word to say about him.” Frey paused and chewed on his thumbnail. “I think he fancies Jupiter, don’t you?”

Ziggy didn’t let on what he’d heard Wilder confess to Hollis at Sinful. It was why he’d also agreed to the swap. “You mean like you fancy Booker?” he added, to distract from a conversation he didn’t want to have about Wilder.

“It’s more than fancy with Booker.” A pink hue invaded his cheeks at the confession.

“Then maybe it’s time you went after what you want.”

Why don’t you take your own advice?

“What have you got to lose?” he tagged on, blocking his animal because it was different with Silas. Silas wasn’t looking for a relationship and Ziggy had discovered that was what he wanted from the other man. Ziggy suspected Booker differed greatly from his brother and would want more with Frey.

Slim shoulders moved up, and Frey ran his hands over the sleep pants he wore. “Do you want anything more to eat?”

Seeing this was Frey changing the conversation, he shook his head, checking his wristwatch. “I think I’ll head now.” His wink was all cheek as he added, “It’s not like you need me to show you my dildo skills.”

Frey blushed harder, giggling. “Do you have dildo skills?”

Ziggy rose and wiggled his booty. “You bet your pert ass I do.” Frey had no idea how he could wield a dildo to make an alpha beg for relief. He chuckled, keeping his thoughts to himself.

“I think I’m disappointed I didn’t get to find out now,” Frey said, giving an exaggerated pout, making Ziggy laugh.

“I’m sure that big bear has some talents too.”

Frey groaned and wiggled his butt against the cushions. “Don’t do that, I’m getting…”

A furious red. Ziggy couldn’t figure how Frey managed to blush like that when he could flirt hard enough to make Ziggy want to take lessons.

“Let’s change the subject. Will you ring your doc tomorrow to let him know what happened?” Ziggy wished he’d not brought it up when Frey lost his smile.

“Yeah, I’ll need to ring and make an appointment to see him. He’ll want to do more blood work, or that was what he mentioned at my last appointment.”

Ziggy reached to pat Frey’s knee. “If you need me to come with you, then I will, for support.”

Frey’s eyes sparkled with bright tears, like the sun was hitting the surface of the sea. “No, it’s alright. You have done enough, and I need to do this on my own.”

Ziggy nodded, looking about for his sneakers. “The offer’s there, you only need to ask.”

“Thank you. I don’t know what I’d have done without you.” He got up and gave Ziggy a big hug.

“Friends have each other’s backs.”

“You’re more like family.”

The innocent words left Ziggy struggling to contain his emotions. “Yes,” he managed to get past his closing throat. He patted Frey awkwardly and went to where he spotted his sneakers.

With them on, he went around the room, grabbing his things and shoving them into the overnight bag he’d brought with him on Thursday.

Frey watched him with a thoughtful expression as he finished and grabbed his jacket. “If you ever want someone to talk to… I’ll listen and promise I won’t judge.”

Frey was more insightful than many gave him credit for, Ziggy included. He gave him a wobbly smile. “Thanks… anyway I’ll be off. See you later.”

He made a quick escape, only breathing easy when he got into his car.

He sat for long minutes staring out the windshield.

Family. He shuddered at the chilly feeling inside him that never went away. He accepted it. Lived with it. But that didn’t stop the question. What would it be like to have a family who really wanted him?

Sniffing, he wiped the back of his hand over his nose, blinking back tears as he switched on the engine. Frey’s uncontrollable hormones must have rubbed off on him.

Give over!

He drove off, putting the music on loud to block out the pesky voice, singing at the top of his lungs with the determination of an Olympian, and avoiding looking at himself in the rearview mirror when he knew what he would see. Desperation.