Page 43 of The Rogues

I sit up straighter, disappointed but also worried that we pushed too far. “Are you sure, Josie?”

“We didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable,” Lennon adds on. “We’re so sorry, Josie.”

“No, it’s not that. If anything, I wish I could stay, I… I really want to stay.” She bites her lip again, and I realize her scent is still spilling around us, more and more potent as the seconds drag on. “But I need a little bit more time. Can you guys wait for me just a little bit longer?”

That hope from earlier flourishes in my chest. From her words to her body’s reaction to our proximity, I am all-consumed and absolutely wrecked.

“Whatever you need, Omega,” I whisper, and her eyes sparkle the tiniest bit in my direction.

“We will wait however long you need,” my friend says beside me.

She stands then, grabbing her jacket and walking to the door. She halts, her hand hovering over the notch on the door as she looks back at us. “I think… you were always going to make whoever your omega was feel as lucky as possible. That’s how I feel… like one of the luckiest omegas in the world.”

I shake my head. “No one is luckier than us, Josie.”

Her lips curve into a tiny grin, her cheeks flushed. “I’ll see you guys soon.”

Then she’s on her way out the door before we can reply or even hug her goodbye, her scent trailing behind her as the tour bus shuts and snaps into place.

We sit in silence for a moment, then turn to each other.

“Well, shit,” Lennon mutters, running a hand through his light-brown hair.

“Our bus smells like her,” I say, knowing the others will appreciate that fact when they get back. I take in a drag of the beautiful champagne scent lingering, bubbliness and mystery hidden in the notes. “And we got to see her smile.”

“Yeah, but now my dick is hard as a rock.” He adjusts it.

“Mine, too.” I stroke mine over my dark jeans, and then look over at him, giving him a pointed look.

“You’re unbelievable,” he says, understanding my unspoken request. He shakes his head, but there’s also a smile curling at his lips.

“It wouldn’t be the first time you’ve sucked my dick,” I remind him.

“Not by a long shot,” he agrees, his eyes trailing over me as he thinks it over. By the glimmer in his green irises, I’d say he is heavily considering it, which is basically confirmed when his tongue peeks out to lick his tips. “Okay, sure. But we have to tell Josie about our arrangement when we get the chance. It may be casual, but I think it’s something she should know.”

He puts his hand up to mine for a shake, and I return it without question. “Agreed.”

And then Lennon is on his knees before I can even blink.

FIFTEEN

DENVER, COLORADO

“Is this too much for dinner?” Nicola asks as she enters the room. Lark and I both turn to look at her outfit, which is an aesthetic nod to both her grunge and fairy side. Ripped white fishnets, pink flannel, and an oversized chunky heart choker. Her short green, pink, and blonde hair is pulled back into a little spikey bun, which really shouldn’t be physically possible but somehow she managed it.

I smile wide at all the choices that are so very her. “I think you look great.”

“Same,” Lark agrees. “I like your flannel.”

I look down at my own outfit, wondering if I did too much. It’s not unusual for me to wear a dress, but it may look a little bit suspicious to Cleo, who knows I’d much rather lounge in sweatpants and leggings if I had the choice. But tonight, I felt like getting pretty.

Correction: I felt like getting pretty for them.

Tonight’s dinner is a mandatory forced outing planned by both of our teams. Ever since that article was posted, things have gotten intense between our two fan bases. Apparently, they thought forcing us onto a tour together would garner more authentic interactions that could be used for drama and publicity, but we’ve all been blatantly ignoring each other instead.

To put it plainly, this dinner is a farce to make it seem like we’re on good terms and no longer giving each other the cold shoulder. They want us to be ourselves, but pretend to get along and show the audiences that we’re being cordial. Apparently it looks bad on our teams if they actually sent us on tour with people we hate. Go figure.

Not that I hate them, but no one else seems to be privy to that. To our fans, I’m just as PO’d about this situation as the rest of the girls are, and I won’t do anything to correct them. In fact, I may need to go out of my way to make sure no one expects my true feelings on the matter.