“Make up your mind, Valerie,” I sigh while glancing at my watch. Hale should be with Gray and Jack by now, on their way to get Jane. “First you’re embarrassed to be seen with me, and now you’re worried about me leaving you alone.”
She doesn’t bother responding, and I breathe out a sigh of relief. Hopefully, I can get through this meal without exchanging any more words with her; my mind is far too busy with more important matters.
I still can’t believe I found her, my mate, and I need to make sure I never lose her again. Unless her birthday has occurred since I last saw her, it means she is still seventeen. I make a quick mental note to ask her when her birthday is. Hopefully, it’s soon, but I don’t mind waiting around here until she turns eighteen. The label wants me and the band in California in a couple of months to start recording, but my omega comes first. Any alpha worth his designation knows this, so hopefully, they’ll be patient with me until she is ready to leave.
I frown, quickly realizing I can’t assume that this is something she would want. We need to have a few serious conversations about our future sometime soon. She was quite adamant about not being an omega, but her toasted marshmallow scent had been more pronounced tonight. Hopefully, she’s ready to accept who she is now, but if not, I’ll just have to convince her.
I chuckle at the irony of the situation. There’s Valerie, insisting she is an omega, probably even believing it, and then there’s Savvy, who almost seems terrified to admit she is an omega.
Valerie looks at me, opening her mouth, likely to ask what was so funny, but I’m saved from explaining when Savvy pops up in front of our table.
Savvy
Do not stab the blonde with a corkscrew. I repeat, DO NOT stab the blonde with a corkscrew. Don’t do or say anything Savvy. Just get their order and get out of here.
I have never been a violent person, but if seeing her cling to my alpha earlier hadn’t been enough to trigger me, discovering what she’s doing to him and his friends has made me feel all kinds of stabby.
Instead I focus on Oliver, giving him a soft smile and asking if he would like anything to drink.
“Do you not have a cocktail menu?” his date asks, not giving him a chance to respond.
I turn my head to look at her. “We certainly do! Unfortunately, we can’t sell alcohol to anyone under the age of twenty-one.”
“I am twenty-one you idiot.” she spit out of me. Oliver lets out a low growl, pissed at her disrespecting me, but I nudge him with my foot and he settles down. “Hello? Are you slow or something? Go get me the menu.”
I clench my fists at my side but manage to keep the smile on my face. “I just need a quick peek at your ID and I’ll be happy to get that for you.”
“I left it at home.”
“Oh no, how unfortunate. I’m happy to bring you anything else to drink that doesn’t contain alcohol. I have some other tables to take care of so if you need a few I can come back.”
“The fucking audacity,” she says through clenched teeth, acting like it’s my fault we’re prohibited from selling alcohol without checking IDs. “Just bring me a peach ice tea.”
“And for you?” I ask Oliver.
“Just some water, please. Thanks, Savvy.” He flinches, realizing he used my name without me mentioning it, and Valerie narrows her eyes at him.
“Do you know what you want to eat?” I ask quickly, hoping the question will distract her from his fumble.
Her gaze snaps to meet mine, a condescending smile playing on her lips. “You know my boyfriend?” she asks sweetly, too sweetly. “He and his pack are courting me. They’re all in a band together.”
“Jesus Valerie, can you keep your fucking mouth shut?” Oliver bites out at her.
“Oh, come on, Oliver,” she scoffs. “Who is she going to tell? Besides, you two look like you know each other; shouldn’t she know you’re in a relationship?”
Her words shouldn’t hurt me, but, fuck, I’m only so strong. The omega - who I am still trying to come to terms with having - lets out a small whine, and I know I have to get away from them before I start crying.
I mumble something about getting their drinks and dart off toward the bar where Todd is working, ignoring his concerned expression.
“Do you mind taking it to them, or asking someone else to?” I ask, needing a few minutes to myself.
“Yeah, sure,” he nods as his eyes roam up and down my body, but it doesn’t creep me out like it would coming from someone else. I know he’s just worried about me. “I got Lily to cover your othertables, but your uncle is looking for you. I wouldn’t make him wait too long; he seems pissed about something.”
Fuck, this is bad. So bad. The last thing I needed tonight was to be summoned by my uncle. I had hoped he would have left by now, but if he’s still here, he’s probably been monitoring the security cams. He knows I was locked in the bathroom with Oliver.
I swallow down a lump in my throat, trying to reign in my panic. “Thanks, Todd. Did he maybe mention what he wanted?”
“He didn’t say anything kid, just yelled at me to find you. I would suggest getting it over with.”
