“Just hold on to the handles. He’s going to go pretty fast and swerve. If you fall off, it’s not a big deal. You have your life jacket on and he will drive around to get you.”
“Why would anyone want to get thrown off an inner-tube into the Potomac River? Do you know the cleanliness of this river?” Shyla asks.
I laugh. “I’m pretty sure we’ll survive. Maybe just don’t ingest any of it.”
“Funny,” Shyla says, glaring at me. Now that we’re all seated and our captain is back at the front of the boat with his hands on the wheel.
“You kids ready?”
“Wooo!” Kelsey screams out, and I follow suit. Shyla just clutches the handles for dear life as he starts up the boat and accelerates the speed.
It takes a few moments, but Kelsey and I both watch with awe as a huge beaming smile takes over Shyla’s face and her laughter becomes contagious as we all bounce on the float. Kelsey almost being the first one thrown off as she convulses with laughter.
Captain Bob thinks we’ve hung on a little too long as he turns the boat and drives over the wake of another vessel, causing Kelsey to go flying four feet into the air and land in the water. In true Alpha fashion, even though she didn’t want to go into the water, our Alpha throws herself off the tube and swims over to Kelsey. I watch as they laugh together as Shyla clutches Kelsey’s life jacket, planting a smiling kiss on her lips. I’m so distracted by watching them together that I don’t even realize I’ve been thrown off until the water breaks my fall.
Kelsey pops a grape in her mouth as we all sit at the back of the boat grazing on a charcuterie board as the sun sets. Captain Bob said we had to ride over to watch as the monument’s lights turned on as it got dark, and he wasn’t wrong.
Shyla openly touches Kelsey and me both. Looking gorgeous with her hair down and slightly curled from being in the water earlier. She grins at Kelsey before peppering her jaw and throat with kisses. I want to see Shyla like this every day, sweet and carefree.
I can’t help but wish that Cameron was here though as I watch. I just know if Shyla had the chance to get to know him more, she would be smitten.
But with Cameron comes Dom. I don’t have an issue with Dom, other than how he treated Shyla. In all honesty, I’d love to get to know him more. If Kelsey has feelings for him then he must be a decent guy.
But I can’t think about the what ifs right now. All I can think about is how perfect this moment is and how I wish I had a bond mark around my neck and Kelsey’s to make it official.
Shyla pokes me with her foot. “Emmett, you good?”No, I’m keeping a secret from you and it’s eating me alive. I want us all to bond so I know you won’t be self-sabotaging and ruin the best thing that has happened to us.
I grin at her and nod. “Just enjoying the sight.”
“Captain Bob, can you take a picture of me and my mates?” Kelsey says, though she’s had a few seltzers, I don’t think she is drunk. Shyla and I both stare at her wide-eyed. “What? I want pictures. Now come here,” Kelsey commands. She perches herself on my lap and squishes Shyla’s face next to her own. I don’t even need to see the phone to know we all have hearts in our eyes and the widest smiles on our faces.
When Kelsey gushes over the photo and I take a look, I kiss her shoulder. “Can you text that to us?”
“Of course, I think I’m going to take this and make my own watercolor version too.”
“Well then, we want that too,” Shyla says.
Kelsey nods her head and sends off the text. “Shyla?”
“Yeah, baby?” she says, and Kelsey swallows thickly.
“Tonight has been amazing. It’s been so good to see you so happy. I want you to know that it’s not a you or Dom situation and that I would never prefer one of you over the other.”
Shyla goes to open her mouth and Kelsey stops her. My hand is tightly on her hip, waiting to hear what she’s going to say. “Would you ever put me or Emmett against each other?” Kelsey asks.
“No, of course not!”
“Even though you’ve known Emmett longer?”
Shyla is wide-eyed and not picking up what Kelsey is saying. “I would never. You would both be my bonds, and I would care for you both equally.”
“That’s how I feel about all of you. Love isn’t a finite source. I have enough to give to all of you, and it’s not as if I am everyone’s sole partner, either. There is a lot of love that can be shared in a pack. I understand that Dom might not be your ideal packmate, but he is someone I care about a lot. Just as much as you and Emmett, and it would mean a lot to me if you were open to making this work.”
Damn. I don’t see Shyla rendered speechless often, but in this moment she looks at our little Omega with fascination, awe, and respect.
“I’m sorry for my behavior during our date, Kelsey. I’m going to work harder to make a friendship with Dom and possibly a connection with Cameron.”
“Nothing would make me happier,” Kelsey says.