Knot So Perfect Omega (Omega Match #1)(44)

After ordering and getting our food from the Mexican food truck and a barbecue truck, we walked the short distance back to the parking lot and then to the beach where we found an empty bench.

We laid out the cartons between us, and she grabbed the bowl of corn and popped the lid off, lifting it to her nose. “I’ve loved this stuff forever and used to wish when I perfumed I’d smell like it.” She took a large spoonful and ate it. “Fuck, that’s good. Not better than my dad’s, but it’ll do.”

She handed me the bowl and I sniffed it. “I’m glad you didn’t smell like this.” I took a bite and didn’t hate it but didn’t love it either.

“It’s not for everyone.” She lifted the plate of tacos and took a bite out of one. “You know those two guys from the parking lot have been watching us this whole time?”

“What? Where?” My focus had been on her for the past few minutes, so I hadn’t noticed anything out of the ordinary.

“It’s probably nothing, but they were in the food truck area and are now sitting on the tailgate of their truck in the parking lot.” She handed me the taco plate. “I can save the esquites and throw it in their faces. Maybe some Hot Cheeto dust will get in their eyes.”

I took a bite of the taco, turning my head to the side so I could glance in the direction of the parking lot. Sure as shit, those assholes were watching us.

They were fans of the Killer Gnomes, but I could feel at least one of their demeanors change when Kayla had come back from the bathroom. For now, they were keeping their distance, and luckily, it had seemed only the one had taken interest in my omega.

Or I was just thinking about it too much and they were just out enjoying the evening like we were.

“They aren’t going to try anything with so many people around.” Kayla grabbed the to-go plate of barbecue and scooted next to me. “You’re growling.”

“Damn right I am.” I turned a bit and glared at the two men. They weren’t even looking at us now, and I wanted to kick myself for overreacting. It’s not like people hadn’t stared and watched me before, I just had precious cargo with me now.

“Hey. Let’s enjoy ourselves.” She grabbed a rib and held it out to me. “Here, open.”

“You’re going to feed me? I should be the one feeding you.” My attention was back on her and the rib that was floating in front of my face. I took a bite as she held onto it.

“Are you ready for your game tomorrow?” She handed off the rest of the rib and grabbed one for herself.

“Yeah. We’re as ready as we’re going to be. Last year we were ready, but Rylan broke his arm in our second game.”

“You guys should have alternate players, or does that not work when you’re playing as a pack?”

“A lot of teams do have a relief player, but they’re almost all a part of the pack. We never could find a fifth alpha that fit in with all of us. We agreed earlier on we were willing to deal with any negative impact of only being a quad. Last year was one of those times.” I shrugged. “We have so much other stuff going on business-wise that not winning the championship isn’t the end of the world, but it would push our pack to billionaire status because we’d get a lot more endorsements plus prize money.”

Her eyes widened. “Billionaires? As in nine zeros?”

“Yup. Beck has been working nonstop since starting college to never be without money again. It’s tiring at times, but we also have some big philanthropic projects in the works.”

“Are you guys sure you don’t want to trade me in for my sister? I’m not sure I’m cut out to be a billionaire pack’s omega.” She looked out at the ocean.

She had barbecue sauce on her cheek, and I swiped at it with my thumb. “You’re perfect. Don’t let how we ended up together take away from what we have.”

“But you don’t even know if you’d have a stronger connection with her.”

Why was she talking like this? A few minutes ago, she’d been talking about bonding with us and becoming a member of the pack, and now she was offering us her sister?

“We do know, Kayla. You deserve happiness just as much as your sister does. Don’t let your guilt over the situation ruin this for you.” I took her chin between my forefinger and thumb and turned her face toward me. “We might not have seemed like we cared about having an omega at first... we honestly didn’t until you came into our lives.”

“Sorry, I’m being stupid.” Her brows furrowed. “I guess I’m just worried about Kara. She’s always been the solid twin and now she seems so... lost.”

“You’re a good sister.” I gave her a quick kiss and then gestured to the food on our laps. “We should finish eating so we can take a stroll while the sun sets.”

“Look at you being all romantic.” Her mood did another complete one-eighty and she dove right back into her food.

My alpha instincts were screaming at me that she was going to start her heat. All the signs were there—abrupt shifts in mood, hot flashes, uncertainty—but she said she wasn’t and she knew her body best.

MY ALARM WENT off at six in the morning, and I grabbed my phone to turn it off. I hadn’t had the best night’s sleep and the temptation to go back to bed was strong, but I could nap on our flight.