“Any time, handsome,” I reply.
“I’m going to call Shyla. I’ll talk to you tomorrow?”
“Sounds good. Text me and let me know what you decide, so I don’t worry about you, yeah?”
“You worry about me?” he asks, like this is a revelation.
“Of course I worry about you. You’re special Cameron.”
“I don’t feel special. I feel like being an Omega makes me special,” he says, his tone soft. I feel honored that he’s sharing that with me.
“Cameron, I’m a Beta. I’m not blinded by your scent. What I like about you goes deeper than your designation. I hope you realize the rest of the pack feels this way too.” It feels nice to say pack, though we’re so far from being solidified.
“You’re just saying that,” he says and I huff out a breath.
“You’re smart, creative, and compassionate. What isn’t there to like? I’m not sure if your dick in my mouth made the wrong impression, but I’m interested in you in a way that goes beyond physicality, Cameron. I might have met Kelsey first, but I plan on making you mine, too.”
He sighs over the phone. I’m not sure how he takes my statement, but he doesn’t bring it up. “Goodnight, Emmett.”
“Night, Cameron.”
I hang up the phone and smile at myself. Sometimes I really can be a devious little fucker. I know for a fact all parties will approve, maybe except for Dom.
Dom is a complication in most regards, it seems. But I can’t help but feel deep inside of me we’re all meant to be. It’s going to take a lot of underhandedness on my part, but I’m willing to make it happen. All of these people deserve to be happy and if it takes me meddling at every opportunity, then I’ll do what I have to do to make it happen.
Chapter 23
Anticipationandnervesaregetting the best of me as I uncork a bottle of wine and pour myself a glass. I look down at my phone and Emmett sends me a wink emoji. I should have known that he was going to meddle to some degree. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kelsey was in on it too, but she looked upset while leaving this morning, while Emmett looked devious.
Cameron didn’t call. He texted asking if it was okay to come over. I already knew he doesn’t drive, so I sent someone over to pick him up and he should be here any moment.
We’ve never had time alone. Kelsey or Emmett have always been there as a buffer. Then there was the one time Dom was there and I, of course, insinuated he wasn’t taking good enough care of him. I think that’s really when shit went south.
I’ve been working through what my problem is with Dom. It’s clear we both feel threatened by each other. I’ve worked with other Alphas, I have other male Alpha friends. But something about him just makes me feel like I’m lacking. He is warm and cozy. I know he has been the person who Kelsey has depended on in dire moments in her life and it makes me jealous.
I want to be that person.
I’ve never thought I would be romantically involved with every member of my future pack, but it is still unsettling nonetheless. I see the way Kelsey looks at him, and even Emmett begrudgingly told me he thought Dom was attractive.
Hypocritical is the word that comes to mind, because I find Cameron attractive as well. I just need to wrap my mind around the fact that I’m not the only Alpha that these two Omegas and Beta are involved with. I need to start conceptualizing that it’s a sharing of responsibility, not a breakdown of who is needed more.
There’s that word again. As much as I want to be needed, I find myself being the needy one. I want so much affection I nearly drown in it.
With my wine glass between my fingers, I take a sip as there’s a knock on the door. I place the glass back on the countertop and walk to the front door. Cameron’s brown eyes are watery and under his eyes look dark as clutches at his messenger back slung across his chest.
He’s shorter than me and at this moment he looks smaller than ever. I wonder if he felt forced to come here or if he was excited.
“Hi,” I say lamely.
He smiles weakly. “Hi.”
“Come on in. Are you hungry?” I ask him. Being useful is always my go to.
“I could eat,” he replies and I smile. Emmett says the same thing.
“Anything in particular you would like?” I ask him.
“Do you have things for grilled cheese sandwiches?” I smile at him and nod, leading him to the kitchen where he takes a seat on the gray high back stool, clamping his fingers together on the counter.