AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"I don't want to live in the outskirts of town like they do. It's not far but I hate how isolated it feels," I said, wrinkling my nose at the thought. "Acres around you, trees... creatures."
"Okay, okay," he laughed as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder. "Point taken."
"So, what's your story?" I asked. "We know about Isaac and Colt's family. Where's yours?"
"Gone," he said with the muted sadness of losing someone long ago. It never truly disappears but lingers under the surface, still painful but not suffocating.
"I'm sorry," I said, giving him a squeeze back.
"Mom would have loved you," he said with a distant smile. "She was the same way you are, not taking shit from anyone, outspoken, stood up for what she cares about."
"She sounds amazing," I said gently. "My mom is the same way. Strong omegas raise strong people."
We shared a smile but let the subject drop. I loved that I was slowly getting to know them at our own pace. It would take months before we all were open books but I was willing to wait.
Vince and I had started walking at this point, heading back toward my apartment. I wasn't sure who would be over tonight, it changed often. We were still trying to find a sense of normal even though everything was up in the air.
"Before we even consider looking at places to rent or otherwise, we need to talk some things out," I said, bringing us back to our earlier conversation. "Like kids."
I was definitely testing the waters. It felt less intimidating with one versus eight of them.
"I know that this is probably a deal breaker for a lot of people, but I don't want any," he said as gently as possible. "Our lifestyle has never been one that would lead to a picket fence. I like to travel and get on the boat when I want. Kids would change that. Not to mention we couldn't just leave our pregnant omega behind for months at a time. Hell, I have trouble with the idea of leaving you already."
"Thank fuck. I don't want kids," I said with a laugh. "I'm very happy being the fun aunt. That's all I need."
"I know for a fact the guys feel the same. I can't speak for Amos, Silas, and Jackson, though, just my pack. Well, I guess we're one pack now," he said quickly.
"I get what you mean," I reassured him. "Are the guys at the apartment?"
"Oaks is attempting to teach Silas how to cook. I'm not sure how that'll go, but he's a patient teacher so I think dinner will be handled," he said.
"Silas said before he would burn water so that might end badly. There's always pizza." I laughed.
"Your apartment will be safe, Oaks can handle one bad cook," he promised.
"Either way, it's too nice not coming home to an empty apartment to complain," I admitted. "It's been empty for far too long."
"I've been with the guys so long I couldn't tell you what that feels like, but I know I wouldn't like it," he agreed.
"How did you guys all find each other? I remember someone mentioning you were friends first," I asked.
"Yeah, we met in school. Isaac's dad had always been in the yacht business and Isaac used to talk about the boats. He made it seem like such an amazing adventure that as we grew older that's what we decided to do. It started with summer jobs, learning the ropes, but the moment he got his own yacht to captain, he brought us all in. Despite his father being an asshole he was pretty lenient letting us take over an entire vessel as newbies."
"I love that you guys all found each other."
"They're amazing. I couldn't imagine doing anything else or working with strangers. There's a lot of amazing spots around here you won't find in tourist guides."
"Do you guys do fishing charters when you go for the winter, too?"
"No, those are usually just regular charter ships. Sometimes, they want to fish but a lot of times they just want to swim. Half the time we ferry them back and forth between beachside bars and attractions."
"Sounds amazing. Much more exciting than being a barista," I admitted. I'd never looked down on what I did or regretted it, but part of me almost wished I didn't have so many ties to Lockwood so I could just go with them. It sounded like a dream life.
"We've got time to figure it out," he reassured me. "You could do both. We also make enough that if you wanted to work only during the summer while we're here, that would work out."
"I'd never be okay with just tagging along while you guys work," I warned.
He laughed. "Oh don't worry, there will be plenty for you to do. Most yachts have omegas in the interior. We've been functioning without one but someone with style definitely wouldn't hurt. Plus, you can make coffee that doesn't come from a collection of pods."
