Page 44 of The Omega's Fake Mate

“Is that a compliment?” Conner gave a small sigh. “I don't get other children.”

I had to laugh at that, if only for a second. “I was the same when I was your age.”

“Does it get better?”

“Well, at some point, your peers will grow up too. At least, a few of them will,” I added. Not everyone managed to grow up. “And you'll learn that you don't need to have a ton of friends. One or two close ones will do.”

“I have that. I think.” He licked his lips. “Actually, Jake and I are fighting right now so I don't know.”

I made a discarding gesture with my hand. “It's normal to fight from time to time.” I would never forget that day I accidentally broke Nick's favorite mix tape by stepping on it and he threw my book into a lake.

Conner studied his feet. “It might be my fault.”

“I'm sure whatever you did it wasn't that bad. Probably nothing that can't be fixed with an apology.”

“Maybe... What if I don't really feel sorry? Like, I'm sorry that we're fighting but I meant what I said.”

“What did you say?” I asked, leaning forward.

Conner turned away from the book shelves and walked toward me, shoulders slumped. He clearly knew that whatever it was he'd said, he shouldn't have, even if he meant it. “I told him that all his new friends only like him because his dad's got money.”

I nodded. “That's a serious accusation to make.”

“It's true, though,” Conner insisted. “Nobody really talked to him much before he invited them to his mega birthday party this summer. His parents spent a lot of money on that.”

“Have you considered the possibility that once the other kids had a chance to get to know Jake, they actually liked him? You're his friend. Surely you must think there's something to like about him.”

“I do! But these kids are just so... shallow.”

I looked at Conner in sympathy. He was jealous. I certainly knew what that felt like. Nick had always had an easier time making friends than me. Sometimes it was hard to get him alone and I wanted him for myself. “Conner, when you're telling Jake that his friends only like his money, you're telling him you don't see any other reason to like him.”

“But that's not true.” Conner sighed, frustration showing on his face. “There's a lot to like about him!”

“I'm not the one you need to tell that.”

“You think I need to tell Jake that I like him?”

I strangled noise escaped my throat. Half-laugh, half-sigh. Was I in the process of giving Conner the same advice Mrs. Fawnston had imparted on me? “Yes, Conner, you should tell him that.”

I glanced toward the door where Mrs. Fawnston had left.

Perhaps the old lady had a point after all.

16

Nick

To me, the week after Thanksgiving flew by in a blur. Zander and I got together only once to discuss our plans for the upcoming trip to Connecticut. We discussed what roads we'd be taking, when we'd head off, when we expected to be back. It was all very... matter of fact.

Zander seemed nervous about something. I couldn't pinpoint why, but my presence clearly unnerved him in some way. It was too bad, because I wouldn't have minded spending more time with him.

As it was, I filled my days chatting with Kade and Shane and visiting my brother, his mate, and my nephew. And then in the evenings, I read. I wasn't a fast reader by any means, so I only managed a few pages each night, but I still made some progress on that book Zander had given me. It wasn't bad.

A little bit troubling, though.

A littletoorelatable.

Maybe I should have read the whole thing before suggesting to Zander that we copy the characters in it. Too late now, though.