Storm frowned at Rex and hissed, “Don’t tell anyone what we talk about in the chat! Unless you’re sharing with your omega. But that cop was gonna arrest me.”
Rex hunched his shoulders and looked apologetic. “Sorry. Wanted to show Varrick. Storm is good alpha.”
Storm forgave him immediately. Rex had been through a lot—his humanity had been wiped from him—so Storm didn’t hold the mistake against his friend. “I know these things don’t come naturally to you right now. It’s okay. Just as long as I don’t end up in jail.”
Rex threw his arms around Storm and hugged him. Jag laughed.
“C’mon, the omegas have ice cream already. We should get some too,” Jag said.
Storm entered the shop with them, trying to hide behind Jag and Rex in case Linus saw him and realized Storm was following him around.
The ice cream shop was homey, with faded pastel rainbows on the walls and colorful booths on one side of the space. A plump older omega turned toward them from behind the row of coolers, giving them a friendly smile.
“What flavor would you like?” Jag asked.
“Mint chocolate chip,” Rex said immediately.
“Cherry,” Storm said after scanning the different tubs. He reached for his wallet.
Except Jag waved him off. “It’s on me.”
“But—”
Jag turned to the shopkeeper. “Hey, Mrs. Bentham. How’s it going?”
“Mrs. Bentham?” Storm whispered, paling.
“Linus’ mom,” Rex whispered back.
“Ah, crap.” Of course everything had to getmorecomplicated. Because she wasn’t just a shopkeeper anymore; Storm was secretly living in her son’s apartment.
As if he hadn’t fucked up enough with his own set of parents.
Storm stuffed his hands into his pockets and hunched his shoulders, looking at the ice cream tubs while Jag placed their order.
He should just wait outside. There wasn’t any point in being in the same shop as Linus; Linus was surrounded by his friends here. He was safe.
Storm turned to leave. He looked up one last time—
—and found his omega watching him, lips parted.
7
A CHERRY-POPPING CONVERSATION
Something joltedin Storm’s body. Time slowed; the air pulled taut between them.
Linus didn’t look away. In fact, he was studying Storm as though he was trying to solve a puzzle, his head tilted to the side.
Storm stood rooted to the floor, his heart thumping. This was different from all the other times Linus had looked at him.
Before,Linus the teacherhad glanced at him with professional curiosity.
Linus the housematehad watched him with a fever-clouded gaze.
But this. This wasLinus the omega.
And nothing prepared Storm for the full, thrilling weight of his attention. Especially when Linus’ tongue flicked out to catch the ice cream on his lower lip, bringing that thick white goodness back into his mouth.
