Talk About… Rivalry (Rockwood Valley Omegaverse #2)

10. Sidney

Sidney

“ T ell me you're going to go out and support Omega Night, tonight,” Avery asked as soon as I picked up the phone. She was supposed to be officially on maternity leave now, but she couldn't help herself and was still involved with work.

“I take it you're not going?” I teased.

“If a single person bumped into this belly at the bar, my pack would lose their minds. I swear I've never seen them so feral and possessive. It's kind of hot but also kind of suffocating,” she admitted.

I’d planned on going, but then second guessed things after Maverick left like he did the other day. Things between us were tense and I couldn't figure out how to fix it.

Why did he care so much that I knew this other beta? It wasn’t like I was defending Leo, I was just trying to reassure him that there was enough space for both of them in this town.

Mainly, because I knew damn well that Leo wasn't going to back down. Even if it wasn’t Leo, I very much doubted any sane person would ditch their entire business plan because some random, angry alpha told them to.

Fuck, I guess I had to go now.

“I could probably go for a bit,” I hedged.

“Great. You know that you'll get free drinks because you’re family,” she offered as if that was an incentive.

I might have one or two tonight, but I hadn't been much in the mood to drink after my talk with Grace. I was starting to realize that I was using it like a crutch to make myself a bit more brave in situations that made me nervous.

This was going to be a disaster. The more Maverick was near me, the more nervous I became. It was hard to be around him.

Then there was Taylor who absolutely knew I was avoiding him. He wasn’t going to give up but he didn’t know the truth. That I could never be with him.

Maybe it would just be easier to move away from Rockwood Valley.

Even as I had the thought, I knew I never would. My best friend was about to have babies. I couldn't just abandon my entire life.

That and the Whitakers meant the world to me.

Even when Maverick was being a dick.

Avery groaned, and panic hit me. It sounded full of pain and panic.

“Oh god, is it baby time?” I gasped, all thoughts of going out tonight falling away because I sure as hell would be in that waiting room supporting my best friend in any way she needed.

“No. Unfortunately the doctor said they were Braxton Hicks when I went in this afternoon. They only happen every once in a while but god they're painful. I am so not looking forward to the real deal.”

“You're going to do great,” I promised. “Your mom is going to be by your side, your pack will be there, and I'll be waiting in the waiting room ready to bring you whatever you need.”

“I'm so lucky to have you, Sid. Thanks for not giving up on me when I moved away,” she said, her voice thick with emotion now. “I'm sorry. I'm not trying to cry. These emotions are a mess.”

I bit back a laugh. “I'm glad you're back, Avery. I'd never give up on you.”

“You know I’m always here for you, too, right?” she countered, something in her voice was a bit too pointed.

“You talked to your mom, didn't you?” I groaned.

“Maybe,” she admitted. “She just said things were weird between you and Maverick and she couldn't figure out why. Then something about that asshole from middle school.”

“Yeah, Leo Valor is the one opening up the new bar in town and Maverick was freaking out. Somehow I got stuck in the middle of that fight. It was crazy.”

She groaned again. “My back is killing me. I want to hear all about this, but if I don't lay down I'm going to cry for real.”

I laughed. “Go get rest. We can talk later. I'll stop by tomorrow and let you know how tonight went.”

“Good, because we all know that I hate having to step back right now. At least the comments looked promising.”

“It'll be great,” I reassured her before we said goodbye.

I'd been going back and forth all day on whether to show up to Whitaker Brews tonight or not. They’d been advertising in town and online. It was going to be insanely busy and Avery didn’t know how to truly rest. If she needed me, then I had no choice.

Event nights always meant that the triplets worked. I couldn't slip past Maverick unnoticed. He always noticed me the moment I walked up to the bar.

With a sigh, I kicked off my dusty boots. After another round of trying to entice Uncle Dale's stubborn horse to play nice, and field work, I was ready for a long shower.

After I was clean and had a towel wrapped around me, I stared at everything in my closet, unsure what to put on. Omega Night definitely meant that most omegas would be dressing up. It would also bring out all the thirsty alphas and betas trying to snatch up an omega of their own.

Sexy and enticing were two things I didn’t feel at the moment.

Finally, I settled on a pair of dark jeans, my nice boots, and a fitted tank top. My makeup was simple, with an attempt at a smokey eye. Flashy makeup wasn’t my strong suit and Avery wasn’t here to do it for me.

Plus, if I asked Grace, I'd end up with pastels instead of dark colors. Our styles were not the same.

Speaking of Grace, I pulled up her contact and started a video call. She answered with her usual bright smile, face right up against the screen.

“What are you getting ready for? Oh no! I forgot tonight was omega night!” she gasped, barely taking a breath with each statement.

“It is,” I confirmed as I scrunched gel through my damp hair. It was naturally wavy and outside of taming frizz, didn’t require any real maintenance before heading out. Plus, anything I did would be counteracted by the heat in the bar.

Right now my chestnut hair had a healthy glow to it thanks to working out in the sun. It stood out against my dark tank top, calling attention to my green eyes even more.

“You look hot as hell, Sidney,” Grace said. She propped me up on her dresser and went to her own closet to search for something cute to wear. I wasn't even surprised when she pulled out an adorable pink skirt and a white crop top.

Her dark hair stood out against it and I didn't even have to ask to know that she'd be wearing some kind of platform heel.

She was tiny, so the extra inches helped her feel like she fit in. I, on the other hand, would kill myself in shoes like that.

“Do you want me to pick you up, or are you going to meet me there?” I asked as I sprayed on some light perfume.

One benefit to having no scent was that I could wear perfume without fear it would get altered due to my own natural scent. I could smell like whatever I wanted for the night.

“I'll meet you there. We all know I'm nowhere close to ready. I've got to curl this mess,” she said as she shook out her wild hair.

I didn't argue with her.

“That works out. I'm going to head out early. Avery wants me to make sure things are running smoothly for her.”

“Did she finally go on maternity leave?” Grace asked. The whole damn town was begging her to take it easy at this point. “I swear she's more stubborn than you are.”

“It's a Whitaker trait,” I joked. “I swear they're all stubborn workaholics.”

“That they are,” she chuckled. “Alright, see you there, love you, bye.” Her parting words were in a rushed jumble, the call ending before I could process it, in true Grace fashion.

With nothing left to do, I slipped outside to my car before my dad or uncle could stop me.

Not wanting to walk in too early and face Maverick without the crowd around us, I let the parking lot fill up before I finally climbed out of my car.

It was louder than usual tonight and I braced myself before pushing open the front door. At least I was able to walk right past the bouncer they recently hired. He knew me by now and just gave me a nod before carding the omegas trying to get through the door.

The Whitaker triplets were working their asses off filling orders and moving around each other in a perfectly practiced synchronicity. It was impressive for three huge alphas.

The bar was packed already. Every stool was taken.

An omega stumbled off after a pack right as I reached the bar. I didn’t hesitate to snatch her seat, using a napkin to wipe up the mess she left behind, spilling her drink in her rush to chase down a potential pack. .

“Hey there, little sister,” Nash greeted. “What can I get you?”

“Just a soda,” I ordered. My stomach was a bit uneasy and I didn't want to put alcohol on that.

At least not yet.

He nodded, quickly making it up for me and waving me off when I tried to pull out my card. It was a song and dance we did every single time and one that I would never give up on.

They had to know that I snuck tips in every time they weren't looking.

Nash leaned in, gesturing at the crowd. “It's crazy tonight. Avery was on to something with this.”

“Yes, she was,” I agreed, taking it all in. The music was loud, people were enjoying themselves, and drinks were flowing. Maybe this would perk Maverick up. He couldn’t argue their success with a crowd like this.

Cameron was over to the side talking to the live stream. It was funny how two out of the three triplets were against starting PackVlog, and yet they'd all three fallen into some sort of normalcy with it. They'd accepted their fate easily when they saw how well it was working.

“I clearly chose the wrong night to come in here,” a deep voice joked. I glanced next to me at the alpha sitting there. He was gorgeous. Not quite as bulky as Maverick but there was still definition to him.

The tailored suit he was wearing wasn't just a simple suit. It was cut just right and patterned, giving him a little sense of fashion versus practicality. His blond hair was gelled back and his round glasses fit his face perfectly. He was a contrast of alpha strength and charm.

Something about the round glasses, square jaw, and intense, dark gray eyes did me in.

My heart rate picked up and I found myself instinctively leaning in, barely stopping myself before I could embarrass myself.

What the hell is wrong with me?

I blinked a few times and shook my head as if to clear my thoughts. The last thing I needed to do was thirst after yet another man that I couldn't have.

He was so damn gorgeous that I couldn’t help but smile at him, focusing on the conversation and not his looks.

“You did. It’s omega night, which means all the thirsty packs and omegas are here to try to make connections.”

He chuckled to himself at the snark in my tone. “I take it you’re not here for that?”

I fucking wish.

“No. My best friend is part owner and on maternity leave. She wanted me to come and check how things were going since she couldn't be here.”

“Ah, loyal. A lovely trait to have,” he said with a genuine smile. “I feel it’s hard to find loyalty these days.”

“What brings you in?” I asked, hoping to make conversation and pass the time. Or maybe I did it just to piss Maverick off, an attempt to make him finally notice that I wasn’t a little sister.

Sure enough, within a few seconds of me smiling and leaning into this alpha, I could feel his gaze searing into me.

“This small town bar has blown up,” he agreed. “I work for Sinclair Vineyards and was sent to talk to the owners. My name is Bennett, and you are?”

He spoke in a way that felt more like he was stating facts, not bragging. That was also a trait hard to find these days.

“Sidney,” I said, offering him a shy smile. He was surprisingly easy to talk to. It was kind of nice to talk to someone who had no clue who I was after the chaos of the week I’d just had. Conversation with strangers never felt easy, but with Bennett it did.

“Can I get you something to drink, buddy?” Maverick's voice was full of gravel as he cut in.

“I'm guessing that best friend thing comes with protective older brothers, huh?” Bennett stage whispered at me before turning to Maverick. “Actually, yes, you can. I’m here to speak with whoever handles brands. I’m a representative with Sinclair Vineyards. I was hoping to have a chat about wine suppliers.”

Maverick blinked at him, clearly taken aback.

“Tonight's really not a good night,” he finally admitted, looking around at the crowd. “I can't leave the bar to talk to you and I'm the one who handles suppliers.”

“That's okay. I got a room in town for the week. I wanted to check the place out anyway, and I think coming here was the right choice.”

He glanced at me and then grinned back at Maverick. “At least I know that you have enough business to sell our products.”

“Why don't you stop by tomorrow afternoon,” Maverick offered, still thrown off by the curveball thrown his way. “The front door will be unlocked and it'll be quiet in here. We don't open until six.”

“Perfect,” Bennett managed to get out before Maverick was moving on to the next person, giving me one last look.

“Is that your alpha?” Bennett asked.

So, I wasn’t making up the tension that was burning between me and Maverick?

“I don't have an alpha,” was all I managed to get out, glancing down at my drink and taking a sip.

Bennett made a noise but didn't argue with me. I couldn't help but steal a glance at the handsome alpha again. He was a surprise tonight and I couldn’t believe I was being so open.

Was I just so touch starved and desperate for a connection that I was willing to flirt and chat with any alpha that would have me?

Especially ones I didn't already have an emotional connection with.

Maybe it would do me some good.

I turned, ready to start up the conversation again, but fell silent as an omega leaned across the bar in front of Maverick, giving him an eye full of her tits.

A low growl escaped me and my eyes narrowed. I don't know why I was feeling so possessive. Maverick’s eyes flickered to mine, giving nothing away before turning back to her.

“You are one of the sexiest alphas I've ever seen. How about you take this omega on a date?” she simpered. God I wanted to slam her face into the bar.

Then I realized Maverick wasn’t backing away and my stomach dropped.

I didn’t take a single breath as I waited for his answer. Maverick froze, eyes wide and swallowing hard.

Then his gaze turned back to me. He stared at me for a moment, not saying a word, and I swore he was waiting for me to interrupt. His expression was desperate but I froze, refusing to step in.

No, this was what he deserved. A date with an omega who could give him a life. I had no scent, we weren’t matches, and if he wanted to have fun, he should.

It couldn’t be me.

I clenched my jaw and looked down, my heart shattering in my chest as I heard him answer her.

“My name is Maverick, what's yours?”

“Kelly,” she said, smiling sweetly.

“How does seven, tomorrow night, sound?”

“Perfect,” she practically purred.

At this point I sucked in a breath, unable to stop myself, and looked up. Maverick almost looked like he regretted it, but there was also a determination in his gaze. He knew what he was doing and planned to go on this date. There was nothing I could, or should, do about it.

With his gaze back on me, I threw a ten in the tip jar and turned my back on him. I pushed my way through the crowd as tears burned behind my eyes.

When I managed to shove open the front door and stepped outside, I sucked in a breath of cool air and leaned against the brick wall, trying to center myself again.

It felt like my life was careening out of control and I couldn’t stop it.

This was far too reminiscent of the chaos my life was when my mom left.

I was losing someone I cared about.

Again.

Maverick was going on a date.

Rationally, I knew it was normal. It wasn’t like he was a blushing virgin who was pining away for me like I was for him. He had experience.

It'd be silly for him not to at this age. But the fact he did it after looking at me broke something in me.

Hell, I’d been on dates, too. Even though I knew they’d be nothing more than one or two nights before I found a way to pull back from them.

Then that awful voice in my head was back, reminding me that I was unworthy, not worth staying for.

Those old feelings of being abandoned and feeling unworthy all bubbled to the surface.

I was more angry at myself than him, because he gave me the fucking chance to step in and I didn't do it.

I was too scared.

Always too fucking scared.

When someone moved into my vision, I wasn't expecting to look up and see Bennett had followed me.

“Look, I'm not going to pretend to know anything about what happened tonight. However, I am an alpha with no strings attached. I travel a lot and I’m not looking for a pack. We clearly aren't matches, but I do know how to make an omega scream. So, if you'd like a distraction tonight, then I would be happy to provide that.”

He held out a hand to me, eyebrow quirked in question as he waited patiently as I took several breaths and considered his offer.

No strings and I’d probably never see him again… plus, a few orgasms? Sign me the fuck up.

I slid my hand in his and offered a smile I didn’t quite feel.

“That sounds amazing.”