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“No. I was actually out early this morning to check on my grandmother when I got a text asking if I’d heard from you. Yuri filled me in, so I came here to wait for you.”
“The grandma you said raised you?” I asked.
“One and the same.” A warm smile brightened up his face. I could practically feel the love he felt for this woman, and damn if that wasn’t a wonderful feeling.
“I love that you guys are close. Family is important,” I replied softly, a pang of sadness hitting me as I thought of my parents.
Something flashed in his eyes, then he shrugged. “I’d give her the world, but the rest can fuck right off,” he said simply. “You free now?”
“Until work,” I agreed as I glanced at the time. “That gives us about four hours. What did you have in mind?”
“Well, our group date was delayed. I have a feeling River is impatient, so we’ll be doing that soon, but I thought I could take you out for the afternoon?” Hearing Nash sound unsure was so strange, but it helped me feel at ease. Maybe I wasn’t the only one feeling a little overwhelmed by what to do next.
“Sounds good to me,” I said with a grin that made him smile again. His face was bright with happiness, and I was just about ready to make a promise to myself that I would do whatever I could to make him look like that every day.
He grabbed the helmet that was sitting on the back and plopped it onto my head, tugging and adjusting its positioning until he was satisfied. Once that was secured, Nash got on the bike and held out a hand, helping me climb onto the bike behind him. I wrapped my arms around his waist, holding him tightly as he started up the bike.
“You don’t even want to know where I’m taking you?” he teased.
“Nope,” I said. “I trust you. Surprise me.” I was content to just hold on tight as he revved the engine and took off. The ride was cathartic. Wind whipped around us, and the scent of Nash under my nose was enough to make the rest of my reservations fall away. Sure, I was inexperienced, but the girls’ words had stuck with me. I had to stop overthinking and live in the moment instead.
And it wasn’t just my inexperience with dating and sex that had me tripping up. I couldn’t keep letting my family obligations stop me from living my life.
My eyes stayed closed throughout the ride, and when he stopped, I was reluctant to burst the bubble I’d created. When he didn’t say anything, though, I finally opened my eyes to see where he had taken us.
“What is this place?” I asked as I glanced around. He took off his helmet and hopped off the bike before helping me off.
“I figured that was obvious,” he said as he gestured at the building. It was half rundown and looked like it had been there since the eighties, but the signs clearly labeled it as a pizza place with an arcade.
“Okay, this has to have some significance. Hit me with it, softy,” I said as I turned to him.
“You’ve got me all figured out, don’t you?” he said with a chuckle. It sounded slightly off, so I slid my hand in his. I was strong enough on my own, but my moment with River had shown me that I could still lean on others’ strength sometimes. Maybe alphas needed some borrowed strength too, the kind only an omega could provide. I could be a safe space for him to share more of himself.
“I’m observant,” I said. “Now, spill.”
Nash didn’t say anything for a minute. He shifted his weight back and forth as he stared at the arcade.
“My dad disappeared a lot when I was a kid, leaving no money or food. The old man who runs this place noticed me sitting out here, and one day he pulled me inside and gave me a job. I wasn’t old enough to work a real job, but he let me sweep the floors for a free pizza. I could come in any day I wanted. One time, though… Dad never came back. My grandma found out he had run off without me two weeks later, and she stepped in, which was life changing. But this man? He’s the reason I’m alive. This place is sort of home for me.”
My heart shattered for him. “I’m sorry your family was trash.”
He shrugged. “Me too. I guess this was my way of saying I know life can suck sometimes, but there’s always that person, or people, that will help keep you sane.”
“Meaning I need to let you guys in,” I said with a low chuckle. “I’m working on that. I’m independent for a reason. I work so my mom can have her meds. That’s why my job is so important.”
It was the simplified version of the story, which I think he sensed, but he just squeezed my hand back.
“Are we going in?” I prompted. “I just ate, so I’m out on the pizza, but you had me at arcade.”
“Oh, we’re getting pizza. You’ll need to eat before work,” he ordered. “Roland makes the best.”
“Fine, but let me kick your ass at a few games first,” I said, pulling him inside. I’d never seen Nash smile so freely, and I was touched that he was sharing this with me. If I had any doubts about them truly going all in on this pack, he’d wiped them all away.
Well, most of them.
ChapterThirteen
Nash
