In reality, I just wanted to know everything about the men who were so open and sweet to me… or in Lennon’s case, honest. Even when he was an asshole, he did it while making sure I was safe and healing.
“Usually my mom, but she was a fucking piece of work,” he muttered with a twist of his lips. “She was the strict type, which meant if I didn’t do exactly what she said, how she said it, I usually went to bed with scraps. Not enough for a growing delta, that was for fucking sure. I was the skinniest kid in my grade because nothing was ever good enough for that bitch.”
“I’m sorry,” I said, the sincerity in my voice spilling out before I could stop it.
“I don’t need your fucking pity.” That statement was said with so much venom it took me by surprise. But even now, he didn’t scare me. That was directed at his horrible mom, not me.
“It’s called empathy, Lennon. Not everything is me feeling sorry for you. I mean, Iamsorry your mom was a twat. That doesn’t mean I think you’re pathetic. I thought I had some defenses up, but it seems you have me beat.”
“You know, I kind of like that you’re blunt,” he admitted, almost reluctantly.
“Was that a compliment?” I sang out at him, cracking up when he shot me another withering glare. I was having far too much fun with this delta. “But I agree. I appreciate your blunt honesty as well.”
“You’d be the first,” he said, quieter this time, before tossing the cutting board and knife in the sink and washing his hands. “Alright, teach. What now?” he demanded.
I pointed to the waiting baking sheet I laid out for the onions and tomatoes. “Put everything on that. Then you’re going to drizzle olive oil over the top,” I instructed, showing him how. “Then you’ll bake them for a while. We have time, right?”
“Unfortunately,” he drawled out, though he looked a lot less put out about it now.
“Aww, poor delta has to deal with little old me,” I teased.
He huffed out a laugh. “It really is a tragedy.”
Now that we were stuck waiting for that to bake in the oven, I wasn’t sure what to do with myself.
“How about a little game?” he suggested.
“Are you looking for a little redemption?” I teased. “One ass-kicking wasn’t enough for you?”
“What can I say? I’m a masochist.”
My stomach practically swooped at the way he said that. I had a feeling this man would blow my mind if he ever gave me half a chance.
The thought startled me. I should feel guilty for wanting someone else so soon, right? But I felt nothing for my exes, and I hadn’t for quite a while. After I cut them off, that was it.
I wasn’t dead. I was an omega in her prime, and I had eyes.
These men were all delicious in their own ways. And yeah, maybe it wasn’t cool to thirst after your brother’s best friends and teammates, but I couldn’t help it.
He led the way into the living room, kicking on the game system and tossing me a controller before taking one of his own.
The moment the screen loaded up, I couldn’t help but scroll around, looking at the games they had downloaded. Lennon didn’t say I got to pick, but he did hand me the main controller, so I figured it was unspoken.
“I always wanted to try this one,” I said, gesturing to the adventure game instead of the shooter.
“That’s one of my favorites. This one was so much better than the first.”
“Really? I only played the first,” I said, perking up again.
“Why didn’t you play the second?” he questioned, giving me a look.
“It’s not very omega-like to play video games. I shouldn’t like violence and shooting,” I mimicked, in the simpering voice of my ex. They were always trying to shape me into some submissive, sweet omega.
“Fuck that,” he said, and loaded it up for me.
The Lost Realmswas amazing, but I had also heard thatThe Lost Worldswas even better. It was a game where you searched for this long-forgotten treasure. You fought your way through temples and old-world ruins, dense forests, all while your competitors tried to find it first. There were plenty of side quests and gorgeous views to keep it interesting.
The game started us on an old ship just arriving at the harbor of a small, desolate gothic town. I was so into it that the moment my alarm went off to let us know to take the tomatoes and onions out of the oven, I nearly fell out of my seat.
