Page 16

Heath

“Why in the hell am I so tired?” I laughed as Archer took his time massaging my feet. I’d uploaded a vlog, updating my audience on my new setup and explaining how the bus was somewhat dead. Soon, I would find the time to fix it myself.

If I ever stopped being so sleepy.

“You’ve been on your own for a while,” Archer said. “Traveling. Making videos. Everything in your life was on your shoulders alone. Maybe your mind needs rest. When the mind needs rest, so does the body.”

My mate spoke to me, but I had a feeling he might be talking to himself.

“Maybe,” I murmured.

“Sounds like the omega I love is just needing some rest. No need to try and find excuses or reasons. If you need rest, then you need rest. Period.”

The silence in the house was deafening.

Sure, we knew we loved each other. We were fated mates and so bonded beyond words or vows of certificates like humans used, but Oren, as he came in from outside, had muttered the three words I longed for. Didn’t know I longed for them so deeply, but I did.

My heart fluttered uncontrollably. Archer’s hands stopped moving on my feet. We both froze and then moved our heads to stare at Oren.

The alpha who said the words walked to the kitchen sink and got a glass. He poured some cold water in it and downed the whole glass. “Do we have any plans for the day? I got a good bit done on the backyard.” Oren had been inspired by the landscaping at the motel. While we would never be able to get our backyard close to the oasis theirs was, we would try to make it our own.

I sat up, not believing he was simply going to haze over this huge thing he just said out loud. “My plan right now is to ask you if you mean it.”

“Mean what?” he said, but I didn’t miss the hint of a smile on his face.

“You said the omega I love.”

Archer crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m shocked, Heath. Did you not think we loved you?” He was joking, of course.

“I mean, I know I love both of you, but we haven’t exactly said the words. Words are important to me.” As I spoke, tears slid down my cheeks as my chin quivered with the impact of the emotions.

Oren sped over and kneeled in front of me. “We’ll just have to say it more often then, won’t we, Archer?”

Archer nodded. “Yes. And for the record, I love the both of you.”

Oren repeated the notion.

My heart was full.

“While we are confessing things, I have something I need to talk to you both about,” Archer started, edging toward me on the couch. Oren took a seat between us. I hadn’t heard such a serious tone from Archer before.

“You can tell us anything,” I added while he hesitated.

“I have been taking some things into consideration and…I’m tired of being tired. I’m exhausted from worry all the time and feeling like I’m spending more time on my computer than with the people I love.”

That word again. Best word ever.

“It will be a cut in pay, significant, in fact, probably, but I am ready to make that change.

“What’s your plan?” Oren asked, threading his fingers with Archer’s.

“I was contacted by a friend from law school who works with shifters who are convicted of crimes they did not do. After helping get people off the hook for crimes they did do, I’m ready for a change.” I leaned over and put my hand over their joined ones. “I suppose I should give two weeks’ notice to the company.” His smile disappeared.

Terrible how this job affected all of our lives.

“Quit today,” I said. Archer’s eyes widened. “What? It’s time you did something that suited your heart.”

“We support you no matter what, Archer,” Oren added.

Archer slapped his hands on his thighs and ran for his laptop. When he came back, he opened it up, a grand smile on his face. “This is going to be epic. I’m quitting. Now. Right this damned minute.”