Talk About… Rivalry (Rockwood Valley Omegaverse #2)

5. Taylor

Taylor

“ W aiting for your girlfriend?” Mom teased as I looked out the window again. I shot her a glare but didn’t argue. Sidney and I had flirted for as long as she’d been coming here, but she made no move and neither had I.

Maybe it was the lack of scent surrounding her, or the way she looked so lost when she thought no one was watching, but I’d been hesitating on asking her. That and I overheard her and her best friend talking about mates and Sidney seemed against the idea.

I could have listened more, but that wasn’t my style. I’d rather Sidney be the one to tell me about herself.

“Not my girlfriend. Don’t you have books to keep?” I shot back, filling up the water pitcher to take around the dining room. She laughed to herself as she walked away, muttering about cowardly sons. I swear my mom was one more lunch away from asking her out on my behalf.

Like clockwork, the clock hit noon and the door was opening. Sidney walked in looking as gorgeous as ever. She had her chestnut hair coiled into a braid on one side, sunglasses resting on her head. Her green eyes scanned the room, a smile forming on her face when she saw me.

It looked like she’d spent the day outside, dust and grass stains on her knees and cheeks red from the wind.

“Another day fighting with that horse?” I asked as I walked up to greet her.

She rolled her eyes. “She’s so stubborn.”

“Patio or inside?”

She was already walking to the side door. “You know I can’t be inside for long. It’s against my nature. Plus, out here I get you all to myself.”

My chest tightened at her words and fuck, I wish they were true. Omegas didn’t come together often but I wanted this woman more than anyone I’d ever met.

“Always,” I agreed, detouring to the soda fountain and filling up her favorite drink before joining her. “The usual or something new?”

It wasn’t often she was adventurous, but sometimes she felt the urge to try a special or tell me to pick. I loved those days. It felt like she was trusting me with something important, a true connection even when I craved more.

“It’s been a rough week, why don’t you pick for me?” she asked, her hopeful eyes turning their full power on me. I swear I’d agree to anything with one look from this omega. She had no idea just how powerful she was.

I already knew her dislikes so I nodded, tucking away the ticket book and studying her.

“Everything alright?”

“Yes? No? Ugh, I don’t even know,” she groaned. “I had an awful date and then this whole horse situation, and then my dad made me go back into his house and I hate walking in that place.”

The last bit caught my attention. Why would she hate going into her childhood home?

“The house you grew up in?” I asked carefully. I didn’t want to scare her off but this was the most she’d really told me about herself.

“Yeah,” she said, glancing out over the lake. Her eyes were unfocused and I wasn’t sure she even realized she was still talking. “After my mom left us it never felt the same. Dad was just... gone, too.”

Her words were full of so much pain that I wanted to pull her into my chest and wrap my arms around her. This wasn’t the usual Sidney. It felt like I was getting to see a new vulnerable side of her, one she didn’t show to just anyone.

I sat down next to her and she blinked over at me. Her eyes were glassy but she put a smile on her face.

“Sorry, that was dramatic. I’m fine, just a long week,” she said, her usual feisty attitude making a quick comeback. “Don’t look at me like that.”

“Like what?” I asked, shaking my head at the quick change.

“With pity,” she said as she wrinkled her nose at the idea.

“Not pity, empathy, you should try it sometime,” I said, standing up so I could put in her order now that the moment had apparently passed.

“Ew, emotions, no thanks,” she snorted. I had a feeling she took that statement a bit too seriously. “Now feed me, Taylor.”

“Fine, but you’re getting dessert today, brat,” I countered, giving her a wink and walking away.

From the strange encounter, I had a feeling it was a ‘comfort food’ type of day. After writing down her order on the ticket I went for the dessert fridge, pulling out a ‘chocolate bomb’ as my mom so eloquently named it.

Nothing fixed a sad omega quite like gooey chocolate treats, right? It always helped me.

I warmed it up and plated it with extra whipped cream before walking outside.

“Food order is in, but it feels like a ‘dessert first’ kind of day.

“Ugh, marry me, Taylor,” she gushed as I slid it across and the scent of warm chocolate filled the air.

Again, I wished I could scent her. Did she wear blockers for a reason? At first I wondered if it was for the horses’ benefit, but after some online searches I’ve ruled that out.

“You wish, Sidney,” I said, giving her a grin. “But you can let me take you out on a date.”

She blinked at me, just as surprised as I was. Then she laughed and dug in, not giving me an answer. I swear this stubborn omega was the queen of avoidance.

Taking that as my answer I let it go. For now.

Leaving Sidney to her chocolate, I worked my way around the room inside, filling water glasses and helping where I was needed. Technically, I wasn’t a waiter anymore. I was a floor manager or host when needed, but Sidney was the exception every time. I don’t know why I demanded to take over her table when she first walked in, but I hadn’t regretted it yet.

Even if I felt like I had the bluest balls in the universe. I couldn’t date anyone else, she was the only woman who had caught my attention, even if she didn’t truly give that same energy back.

I knew I’d have to find an alpha eventually but that hadn’t been in the cards, either.

Just as I stopped in front of the order window to check on her food, my phone buzzed. I fished it out of my pocket, not surprised to see my best friend Leo’s name light up the screen. He was the closest thing to a pack I’d ever found, but we were nowhere near relationship material.

That and he lacked a knot.

Leo: Signed the papers. They’re mine.

A grin spread across my face at the news. He was officially moving back to Rockwood Valley.

Taylor: He’s back, ladies and gentleman. Can you handle small town life?

Leo: I’ve been over the city for a while and home is home. Plus, my best friend is there, what more could I need?

Taylor: I am the selling point. Not the brownstone you signed the closing papers on.

Leo: You think this is stupid? Rockwood Valley is so small.

Taylor: It may be small, but it will be worth it. The town has a bar, but not a lounge. You’re appealing to an entirely different audience. They can have the college kids and you can have the older crowd.

Leo: You keep saying that but I’m afraid they’ll all be loyal to the Whitakers.

Taylor: They’re completely different vibes. You moving in with me?

I’d offered for him to stay with me at my place, but knowing my best friend he’d want something he can work on endlessly. The man never had a minute of downtime and he loved it that way.

Leo: Don’t get mad...

Taylor: But no.

Leo: Yeah, I found this amazing old building in town. It used to be a library, can you believe that? They moved to Main Street so it’s been converted to a regular storefront now.

Taylor: Sounds like your kind of fun. Gross. I’m too pretty for physical labor.

Leo: Says the man who will absolutely be helping me.

Taylor: And by helping, you mean providing conversation and cold beer while you work?

Leo: It’s safer that way anyway

“Order up!” Dad yelled loud enough I fumbled my phone, giving him a glare as I tucked it away. He just gave me his usual grin as Pop’s face also moved into my view.

“He did say your name a few times,” Pop defended his mate. I just snagged Sidney’s plate and headed out to the patio where she’d cleared her dessert and was staring out at the water again. Usually she brought a book or was on her phone. This new mood was worrying me.

“Hey there, got you some of my Pop’s homemade Chicken Parm, though with alfredo sauce because that’s my favorite,” I said, sliding the plate closer along with a basket of garlic breadsticks.

She leaned in and breathed in the herbs and spices before letting out a happy sigh.

“How do you always know just what I need?”

“It’s a skill,” I said before sitting down with her. I couldn’t bear to let her stare off and get lost in her thoughts again. She eyed me but didn’t hesitate to dig into her food, another moan escaping as she chewed.

“This is so fucking good,” she said, but I was still trying to fight off my physical reaction to her noises. It was downright sinful, my cock was stirring and my body was tense, every cell hyperfocused on this omega in front of me.

“Let me take you on a date,” I tried again, hoping she wouldn’t let us both being omegas get in the way. “I’m being serious here, Sidney.”

She studied me but a sadness had crept into her eyes. What exactly happened to this omega to make her afraid to go on one date?

Before she could turn me down I held up a hand.

“I don’t want an answer now, but consider it an open offer, okay?”

She nodded, her mouth snapping shut as she studied me. I swear I could see longing in those gorgeous green eyes. I just wish I could reassure her, promise her I wouldn’t hurt her.

I tapped the table and sighed, getting up. “I’ll leave you to your lunch, Sidney.”

With that I took her glass for a refill, returning it though she didn’t even notice, before leaving her be.

Even though I didn’t want to, I busied myself around the restaurant, checking on Sidney every so often. The last time I looked the table was empty. My stomach sank as I walked outside to gather her dishes to take them to the kitchen and her payment. She ordered the same thing half of the time so she always left cash and a tip on the table for me.

As I picked up her plate, a small piece of paper fluttered out.

Taylor,

Thanks for putting up with me and my mood today. I’ll think on the date. I promise, it’s not you, it’s me and that’s not a line to let you down easy. Here’s my number... friends until then?

-Sidney

Hope restarted my heart again, the battered organ pumping in my chest and reminding me I need to breathe.

It wasn’t a yes, but she was letting me in and that felt even more significant. There was nothing wrong with friends first, especially since it didn’t seem to be that she wasn’t interested. Sidney wasn’t the type to drag anyone along.

My smile was wide as I walked the dishes back to the kitchen, depositing them before turning to face a wall of muscle. My two alpha fathers stood shoulder to shoulder, eyes locked on me as they crossed their arms over their chest.

“What happened? Did she finally agree to date your sorry ass?” Pop asked, letting out his raspy laugh.

“Ha, ha, ha,” I deadpanned, wiping my hands off and rolling my eyes at their antics. “If you get Mom started I’ll tell her what you have planned.”

Both men glared back at me now.

“You wouldn’t dare,” Dad growled.

“Try me,” I shot back, pushing my way past them and giving nothing away. Technically, she hadn’t agreed and I wasn’t about to let anyone else know the details. Other opinions could tank hope faster than anything. I wanted no part of that.

For now, this was a moment that was all mine.

Pulling out the paper and my phone, I ducked into the break room and added her to my contacts before sending her a message.

Taylor: I hope your day gets better, sunshine.

Sidney: Get ready for all the random messages, Taylor. Being my friend can be dangerous.

She had no idea how true that could be.