Page 3

Chapter Three

“ I t’s upstairs or out the doors, Ms. Moore. Those were your brothers’ instructions,” a guard warns while escorting us back to the main fairway. Anger and embarrassment curl together, sliding up my neck until my eyes hurt from keeping them back. If this had happened to any other omega, we would still be sitting in the stands. But no, my brother and stupid fucking Miller had to go all Alpha-hole, swinging their dicks around, and of course, security sided with them.

I want to whine and scream. Stomp my foot on the ground like a brat and remind them that my father pays their damn salaries. But I wasn’t raised that way, and that’s not who I am.

You will not make a scene .

Turning, I reach out for Emma and Mari, who have dutifully followed me into exile.

“You can both stay! Go back and watch the opening pitch from the good seats. It’s only me that needs to be swaddled in bubble wrap.” They gather around me, snuggling in for a three-way hug, nearly breaking through my wall of emotions. A needy whine crawls up my throat, and I bite my lip to keep it inside.

Any nearby Alphas will come flying out of the woodwork if I give into my omega. But the love of my friends fills a bit of the void—the need for love that’s more than just family. It isn’t remotely sexual, but the comfort soothes me just enough.

“Forget it, babes.” Emma squeezes me tight enough that I let go of the resentment threatening to eat me alive. “We can go up to the box or head to my apartment. You know I’m only here for the man candy, and there’s plenty of that on campus.”

“Yeah. I’m happy either way, too. We all know I don’t give a crap about baseball,” Mari agrees like the sweetheart she is.

And the truth is, they both really don’t care. We come to the games because it’s something to do, but I’m the only one who’s invested in the score or what’s happening on the field.

Chewing on my lip, I mull over the options for a second before realizing that the game’s already ruined. I’m just not feeling it anymore. My finger flicks toward the door, and we make our way out of the stadium and onto the busy street. Cars whizz by, filled with rushing people, and the sounds of the city buzz in my veins. We don’t live in the city, but whenever we come in for games, I love the vibe—getting lost in the hustle and bustle of people who don’t give a shit about anyone else .

We make our way to the parking garage. Once I’m settled in Emma’s backseat, I pull out my phone and shoot a quick text to my parents. By now, I’m sure Owen’s tattled on me, and I don’t want them to be worried.

Me

Owen was being a jerk. Decided to leave the game, so we’re heading back to Emma’s.

The replies fly in almost instantly, and I can feel their disapproval through the screen. It’s like nails on a chalkboard, raking against me until I nearly scream with frustration.

Papa

Okay, sweetie, text us when you’re there safely. Do you want me to come pick you up later?

Me

I’ll call an omega rideshare.

Dad

He was just looking out for you. I can’t believe you sat in the stands again. It’s not safe. I’m going to get rid of those tickets.

Me

It should be safe. It’s your stadium.

Mom

I want to see that you’re all right with my own eyes. Come home now.

Me

I’m fine. I’ll be home tomorrow.

Dad

No later than curfew, Posie.

Mom

Curfew!

And Papa just adds thumbs-up to their messages.

When will they see me as an adult?

“You okay back there?” Emma asks, glancing at me in the rearview mirror. My heart thumps with worry at her eyes not being on the road for a fraction of a second, but I do my best and manage not to scold her. Breathing through my nose and counting. One. Two. Three. Four…

My friends are so understanding of my car-related anxieties, but I try to make them more palatable whenever possible. I’ve known Emma since elementary school. Besties back then and all the way through high school and beyond. She was there for me during the aftermath of the catastrophic accident, carrying my books, helping me to classes, and consoling me as I figured out how to navigate my anosmia.

Mari is a newer addition since college, but a soul friend nevertheless.

“I’m fine. Just trying not to lose it on my parents,” I explain ruefully. I love them all, truly I do, but the accident left us all with scars, some more visible than others. But it’s the ones not seen that are the hardest to shake. I nearly died. Mama lost her best friend, and now, anytime I push for independence, she gets so worked up that Papa and Dad don’t know what to do. Their instincts force them to protect her at all costs, and that cost has been my freedom. Perhaps I should have pushed harder and demanded to forge my own path like Owen. But they’ve shackled me with love and fear, bindings that pull much tighter than handcuffs of malice.

“You know, you can always come to stay with us if you need a break from it all,” Mari offers, twisting in the front seat to meet my eyes. She reaches out a hand, and I grab onto it, holding it like a lifeline for my rioting emotions.

“They want me home by curfew,” I sigh, using my free hand to give air quotes for the last word. I slump against the seat, torn between frustration and capitulation. “I’m twenty, and they think I’m still fifteen.”

“Almost twenty-one,” Emma pipes up as she turns the steering wheel and navigates into a parking spot.

Damn, that went fast.

“That’s right. Twenty-one,” I agree, letting them fuel my outrage as we hop out of the car and head into the apartment, which is as familiar to me as my own bedroom.

“Well, you know the spare room is still there. I can easily move things around for your jewelry tools. Whenever you’re ready to take the leap, just let me know and I’ll be there with bells on.” Emma and Mari drop their stuff by the door, and we walk into the welcoming space.

“How is the new website working out, by the way?” Mari asks. It’s been just a few weeks since I launched a website for my jewelry design company—PM Originals—and between that and the social media buzz Emma’s been helping me create, I’ve been accepting orders left and right.

“It’s been amazing! We’ve nearly tripled our order volume since that video Emma made of the red earrings,” I chatter excitedly, dropping my stuff on the table before closing and locking the door behind me. “I just got my first custom order for real gemstones.”

The fact that my business is taking off is just the first step toward creating the life of my dreams, but it’s a big one, and I’m elated.

“Do you think there’s enough space for your tools?” Emma points to the hallway where the bedrooms are located.

This place always haunts me, a specter of what could have been. My mind wanders as I recall the day we found it. Emma and me, all excited and high on getting into the same university. We always planned to go to school together, and it was finally happening.

“Oh, my goodness!” I exclaim, running from room to room. The plush teal carpeting muffles the sound of my feet as I sink into it. The bedrooms are enormous; plenty of space for Emma and another that has an adjoining nest for me. It’s freaking perfect, and let’s be honest, as long as the building is safe, our parents will be more than happy to cover the budget.

“There’s an extra den over here, too!” Emma shouts from the other side of the apartment, and I race across it, excitement fluttering through me. Her eyes sparkle with happiness as she spins in the spare room. “Is this big enough for your equipment?”

Glancing around the space, I imagine where I can stack shelves, keep all my beads, and add some top-notch lighting. Right now, my jewelry-making stuff is under my bed—of course, this room is big enough. It’s big enough to house my hopes and dreams and aspirations of one day becoming a designer. And the walls may even be sturdy enough to keep out the demons.

Throwing my arms wide, I join my best friend, spinning and spinning until we flop onto the floor, staring at the ceiling. Freedom is calling—and the sky’s the limit.

But this place isn’t the same now. After my parents backed out of letting me live here, Emma’s took over paying for the entire thing. Until Mari came along and wiggled right into our little band of misfits. I insisted she take the second bedroom when dorm life became a complete and total nightmare, and although she felt bad, after her roommate locked her out for the umpteenth time, she relented.

There’s still room for me here, though. The nest remains untouched, and the extra den currently stores overflow boxes and random items; however, we can make space with a little rearranging.

And we certainly love each other enough to make it work…

“I think I’m ready,” I whisper. They squeal with delight, bouncing jubilantly, and an enormous smile splits my face. Lightness lifts my spirits. My mother’s last-minute panic attacks stopped this from becoming a reality three years ago, but now I’m older and more capable of standing on my own two feet. This time, when she throws a fit, I need to stand firm, even if my dads order me to stay to keep Mom sane.

“Yes! Let’s do this! You’re not underage anymore. So, they can’t say no!” Emma pumps her fist in the air, her determination catching up with mine. When they pulled the plug on my dreams of independence, I became reliant upon them for my financial needs, but now I’ve squirreled away a nest egg from my business. I just hope it’s enough… and that my guilt over the accident doesn’t pull me right back in.

“You could even go on dates if you lived here!” Mari yelps, and she’s right. Someone could take me out without all the hullabaloo of meeting the dads. The intimidation of taking out the famous Pack Moore’s omega daughter.

I could finally be myself.

Just Posie.

Could this happen?

My shot at happiness is knocking at the door, and it’s long past time I finally answered. Nerves zip through my abdomen, but the excited butterflies beat them back.

Now, I just need to tell my parents.