Gamers’ Omega (Gimme MMMMMore #5)

Chapter 6

~March~

“E verything ok, Owen?” I asked as I grabbed plates from the pass. “You seem distracted today.”

He blinked and forced a smile. “Yeah. Thanks for asking.”

Part of me wanted to argue. It was clear something was bothering him, but he was my boss.

Plus… I had plates to deliver.

“I’m here if you need to talk about it,” I replied as I hustled from the kitchen. It was the best middle-ground I could come up with on the spot.

“I seated the gamers in your section,” Mandy, the assistant manager, informed me as she passed me going the other way.

“Thanks!”

I dropped the plates, then hurried to the drink station to pull sodas for the guys.

“Do you know what’s up with Owen today?” I asked when Mandy came in and grabbed a glass.

She sighed. “No, he’s been like this a few days now. I’m surprised you didn’t notice sooner. Something’s on his mind, but he’s the type to keep things to himself.”

“Maybe his cousin?” I asked, waiting for bubbles to go down on a soda. “He’s due in a few weeks right? Is there a problem with the pregnancy?”

“I thought that too,” Mandy replied. “But he perked right up when I asked if he was excited about the baby. No, I think it’s something else.”

I frowned. “I hope it’s nothing big.”

“Me too.”

I finished with the drinks and ran them out to where the guys were already setting up the game of the week—which was an obvious favorite of theirs. The box had worn corners and traces of finger smudges from being handled so often.

“The normal?” I asked as I passed Ian a lemon-lime soda.

“Of course!” Tony chirped.

“Have to check,” I teased. “One day I won’t ask and you’ll want a Hawaiian instead.”

Tony and Ian both made faces, while Beck and Freddie laughed.

“Beck and I totally would,” Freddie replied. “We both love Hawaiian pizza. But when we’re all splitting, this is the one that everyone can agree on.”

“It’s a good choice,” I chuckled. “It took me a few months to build up to the green chile, but I’m a fan now.”

“Can’t go back once you develop a taste for it, that’s for sure.”

I glanced around to make sure that nobody needed me, then motioned at the game. “What’s that one? It looks well-loved.”

Tony grinned. “You ever played Clue ?”

“Yeah?”

He chuckled. “Well, this is the opposite. Instead of trying to solve a murder, you’re trying to be the murderer. But everybody want to be the one to off the guy, so the game is also about making sure nobody else can do it.”

I laughed. “Sounds fun!”

“It is,” Beck agreed. “Wanna play tomorrow night?”

“It’s not too soon?”

“Never,” Freddie laughed. “As you pointed out: it’s well-loved. We’re always up for it.”

“Sounds good then.”

“Oh, that reminds me,” Ian stated. “You should bring over a change of clothes, that way you have something if you forget an overnight bag.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want anything in the way if you have somebody else over.”

Tony snickered. “You’re fine. You’ve spent more time in that room the past two months than it had been used at all in the past several years.”

I blinked. “Really? But it’s only been…” I counted on my fingers to make sure I remembered correctly. There had been the night of the snowstorm in January, then the unexpected night in early February. After that they’d asked me to just stay the nights I gamed with them. “Five times,” I finished.

“Exactly,” Ian laughed. “The room’s practically yours. Might as well have some extra clothes.”

“I’ll think about it,” I offered after a couple of seconds.

Beck smiled. “It’s really no bother if you leave a few things for yourself. But no pressure if you’re not comfortable with it.”

I grinned. “Let me put in that order.”

“Sounds good,” Freddie replied.

“Anything else while you wait?” I asked.

Freddie shook his head. “I think we’re good.”

“Ok,” I chirped. “I’ll check back in a few minutes. Enjoy your game.”

“Oh, we will,” Ian laughed. “Don’t worry, you’ll see why it’s our favorite.”

“Can’t wait,” I replied as I hustled back to put in their order.

∞∞∞

The morning was quiet as I stared at the guest room ceiling.

I’d heard Tony leave sometime before dawn for his shift at the coffeeshop, but the other three had yet to start their days. However, experience told me that they’d be up soon enough.

It was only a few minutes later when soft chirps sounded from the living room, which meant that Beck was up.

I sat up and slid my feet into my slippers. Then I took a moment to study my overnight bag where it rested on a chair. It held several changes of clothes, but I hadn’t yet decided on whether I’d be leaving spares there.

“What’s wrong with me?” I muttered. “One: they’re different. Two: it’s not like I’m dating them. There’s no expectation for more.”

I shook my head in an attempt to rid myself of my doubts.

Finally I stood and padded out to the hall. The scent of coffee wafted from the kitchen, but the brewing sounds told me that it wasn’t done yet. I turned to the living room, where I could hear Beck’s soft voice and Pico’s chirps.

The sight that greeted me almost made me melt. Beck was seated in front of Pico’s cage, leaning in and talking to the bird, who was standing on the cage door and gazing up at his human.

My imagination ran wild, and for just a moment I had a flash of the alpha gazing down at a newborn with the same devotion.

“I like bird butts,” Beck sang softly. “I like bird butts…”

I stifled my giggle with my hand.

“Sweet, isn’t it?” Ian whispered as he slid one hand around my waist.

I stiffened at the unexpected touch.

Ian immediately removed his hand. “Sorry, I should have asked if you’re ok with random contact.”

I relaxed. “I’m not used to it is all.”

“That’s a shame,” Ian whispered. “Humans need touch.”

A memory of some long-dumped boyfriend rose from the depths: “Alphas need sex.”

“I always like to watch this,” Ian was saying as I rid myself of the unwanted thought. “He’s so dedicated when he’s trying to teach Pico something new.”

“Does he do this often?”

“Mm-hmm. But this is the part that’s so sweet. He has to repeat something over and over like that, and it can take weeks if it’s a harder phrase. Once Pico starts to say it he shifts to praising and giving treats. This though? He doesn’t doubt. He knows Pico will learn it as long as he’s patient enough to teach it.”

“I can hear you,” Beck grumbled from across the room.

“Then you know I called you a sweet and patient man,” Ian retorted.

“Exactly,” Beck snorted. “Besmirching my good name. I’m a ruthless competitor, sweet and patient don’t play into that.”

Ian laughed and strode to where Beck sat. He draped his arms over the other man’s shoulders and kissed his cheek with a loud smack. “You’re the sweetest. But your secret is safe with me.”

“Asshole,” Beck replied, though I could hear the smile in his voice.

“Coffee or tea this morning?” Ian asked.

“Chamomile please, so I can share with Pico,” Beck answered.

“Tea it is,” Ian said as he released Beck and strode into the kitchen.

“And a small piece of that birdie bread,” Beck called.

“Got it.”

I watched for a few seconds, then walked over, pulled a chair around, and sat near Beck and Pico. “Did it take a long time to teach him to talk?”

Beck nodded. “It gets easier the more he learns, but there was a time when I didn’t think he’d do it. Training is only part of it. Not all birds talk, and a lot of that comes down to their personalities and preferences. He really started showing interest about the time I would have given up, and that was enough to make me continue. Now we work on new things all the time.”

“You really would have stopped?”

He considered the question, then nodded. “If he hadn’t liked it, I would have. I don’t need him to talk to enjoy his presence. It’s a bonus. This is an activity we share, and he likes it, but I’d have found something else if things had been different. His happiness is what’s important.”

“You really are sweet.”

Beck blushed slightly. “Not you too. I have a reputation to uphold.”

I laughed. “You can be both sweet and ruthless. It just depends on the situation.”

“Just don’t call me sweet during a tournament. I don’t get to many these days, but when I go, I play to win.”

I smiled. “I would expect nothing less.”

His blush deepened.

“Tea and birdie bread for you,” Ian said, reaching around me to hand a mug and a folded napkin to Beck. He held out a second mug to me. “Coffee with sugar and cream.”

“Thank you,” I replied.

“You’re welcome,” Ian laughed, then he leaned in. “You’re welcome Pico.”

Beck flipped him off.

Ian laughed again. “Later. It’s time for me to get ready for work.”

“You’re bottoming.”

“Don’t threaten me with a good time,” Ian teased as he strode toward their bedroom.

“Maybe I’ll shut you up with my cock first,” Beck called back.

“Promise?”

My face burned with embarrassment.

“You ok?” Beck asked, noticing my blush.

I nodded, probably a bit too quickly. “Yeah.”

“You sure?”

“I’m just not used to teasing like that.”

“Sorry. I guess we thought it’s pretty common among partners.”

Somehow, my blush deepened.

“Eric?” Beck prodded.

“I-I wouldn’t know…” I admitted.

One of his eyebrows rose, and he appeared on the verge of asking more when Freddie’s voice floated in from the kitchen.

“Ian, did you move my lunch?”

“That was me,” Beck called back. “It’s down one shelf, I think behind the leftovers.”

There was a moment of silence, then, “Found it!”

Beck smiled, then turned back and gave Pico a bite of birdie bread.

I stood before Beck could remember the prior conversation. “I think I’m going to get ready to go home.”

“Ok,” he replied, though there was an unsure tone to his voice.

I scurried off to put a change of clothes in the guest bedroom closet.

The guys were my friends and they didn’t need to know about my dating struggles.

∞∞∞

“What’s going on over there?” Ian asked, motioning to my big table. “Isn’t that your boss?”

I nodded as I handed the guys their sodas. “My boss, his new mates… I think… then his cousin, his mates, and their new baby.”

“You think?” Beck asked.

I shrugged. “It’s all very new. He left mid-shift one day last week because his cousin went into labor, and when he came back a couple days later he had four mates. That’s how I heard it anyway.”

“Damn,” Tony laughed. “Sounds like a busy break.”

Ian shifted to glance over. “He looks happy though. I mean I’ve only seen him out front a few times, but he always looked serious. It’s nice to see him smiling.”

I nodded. “He’s always been friendly, but seemed lonely too. I’m glad he found the family he deserves.”

“They must be packed in like sardines at family functions though,” Tony joked. “Ten men, plus kids and others.”

I chuckled. “The other cousin has several mates too. So you’re probably right.”

“Bet you could have some epic game nights though,” Freddie said. “That’s enough people that you could have two or three going, so nobody has to settle for a game they don’t like.”

Beck laughed. “There will always be one who only wants to play one game that nobody else is interested in.”

“Hey,” Freddie retorted. “A man can dream.”

I grinned. “I’ll go put in your order. Extra small with kiwi and mayo, right?” I teased, having decided to see how many grossed out faces I could get with each new outlandish suggestion.

“Blech,” Ian laughed. “You bring that out, and you’ll be the one eating it.”

I laughed. “I’ll be back in a few.”

I was waiting in the kitchen for some plates when Owen’s laughter filtered in from the dining room.

“That’s a good sound,” Mandy said as she grabbed a bread basket. “It’s been a while since I’ve heard him laugh like that.”

“He really does seem happy.”

“He does. And what about you?” she teased. “You’re awfully close to our gamer group. Something going on there?”

I laughed. “They’re great, but I’m just their friend.”

“I dunno,” she argued. “They’ve been coming here for a long time, and I’ve never seen them joke around with anybody else the way they do with you. They’ve always been polite and great tippers. But when they’re talking to you, they’re focused on you. All of them. Before, one or two would talk while the others continued whatever game they were playing, then they’d switch when somebody else had to talk. They stop playing for you.”

I shook my head. “You’re imagining things.”

“Trust me, hun,” she replied. “Those men have come here for years. They’re different with you. There’s something there.”

Mandy finished with the bread basket and hustled back out of the kitchen.

Was she right? Was there more than just friendship between me and the guys?

Did I want that?