Talk About… Rivalry (Rockwood Valley Omegaverse #2)

19. Bennett

Bennett

S idney was a flight risk. She was ready to bolt already but somehow I convinced her to follow us back to their table.

The other omega, the one I’d allowed to dismiss me at the time, was sneaking glances my way as I put a hand on Sidney’s back and guided her behind Leo. I felt every time his gaze ran over my body or focused in on my face.

“You can look your fill, I won’t be going anywhere,” I told him. He huffed, but said nothing as he followed me through the dining room and outside where they had been sitting.

A waitress hurried over and leaned in close to Taylor, my eyes tracking every movement and expression to make sure he didn’t get in trouble.

“Taylor, I paused the food orders and didn’t clean the tables yet,” she said, looking past us to the beta and alpha who apparently stopped their bickering long enough to follow us in.

Just a week ago I was dreading the newest assignment. Coming to this tiny town to claim a business deal meant a few days at best in a town that couldn’t keep my interest for long.

How wrong I was.

Two very sexy and very different omegas were now on my arm, ensuring I wouldn’t be leaving for weeks to come.

From the one breath of her sweet, fresh, and earthy scent I got the night she spent with me— mixed with Taylor’s sweet and tart scent of pineapples and sugar, paired with the fresh hint of palm and earthy sage—I was done for.

Mates. Me.

The thought was almost laughable. I was the black sheep of the Sinclair line. An alpha more interested in myself than any pack I could potentially find.

I always had the thought that fate would let me know when it was time.

Now fate was knocking and I didn’t hesitate to rip open that door and welcome it in.

Taylor sat down, pulling Sidney to the seat next to him and scooting her close. They were irresistible together.

She had dark hair and jagged edges, though she tried to hide them well. Her green eyes gave away her secrets when she let her guard down and I vowed to uncover every single one.

He was sweet and adorable with curly, brown hair and bright blue eyes that were as expressive as they were captivating. His smiles and dimples warmed my cold, forgotten heart.

The way he grounded her? Fucking beautiful.

“Why did you run?” Taylor asked Sidney, his voice low enough the others didn’t hear but I caught it. My gaze shifted to her, waiting to see what she’d say but my girl wasn’t giving her secrets away right now.

“Drink,” I urged, shifting the glass of water the waitress poured for her closer. She narrowed her eyes at me, but when Taylor pushed his shoulder against hers she gave in.

Sidney’s green gaze was locked right on me as she took a single drink, then another, not slowing down until I reached across and took it gently.

“Not too much,” I urged. This poor omega was in some sort of shock. She’d already followed that idiot alpha to his doomed date, and now she’d hurt her own feelings.

“Why are you here?”

Fair question, sweet omega.

“I was hungry,” I answered, amused, but I had other things on my mind now. “My bed is always open if you two would like to join me after dinner.”

It was just as much an invitation to escape as it was an offer. One I knew very well she was about to turn down.

That was alright, I’d have her number by the end of this dinner and then I would have a word with this pack of unobservant men.

Taylor was the exception. He put me right in my place when he scented me. His own sweet, fresh scent burning around the edges in his frustration.

“I’d like to take mine to go. I’m not hungry yet and I need space,” Sidney said, conveying her needs loud and clear. As a man who prided myself on consent and listening to his partners, I wasn’t going to ignore my mate.

“Only if you promise to send me a picture when you do eat later,” I countered. She studied me, eyebrows furrowing before she handed me her phone with a nod.

“Give me one moment,” Taylor promised, brushing a kiss on her temple before getting up, likely disappearing inside to retrieve her food.

“The rest of you will stay a little longer,” I said firmly. “The omega will walk her to her car.”

I could see the parking lot from my seat, one I took on purpose for this reason. Maverick started to argue but one glance at Sidney and he snapped his big mouth shut.

Leo hadn’t said a word in a few minutes and just nodded once, looking down at his hands as he waited for whatever came next. His expression was difficult to read and I wondered what his deal was.

Other than whatever little rivalry he and Maverick had going on.

I hadn’t chimed in earlier, but I knew for my omegas’ sake I’d have to help resolve it.

Taylor returned after a few minutes of tense silence, ushering Sidney away. I still didn’t speak as I watched them disappear, then reappear out front. Taylor took his time with her at her car, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and leaning in to whisper reassurances.

My chest tightened at the sight. He was good for her and they truly were made for each other.

If my suspicions were true, she was already his, she just didn’t realize it yet.

After a few minutes he helped her into the car and buckled her in before watching her drive away.

He didn’t come back right away, his gaze on her taillights for a few minutes before turning my way. His expression was unreadable and I almost wondered if I’d have to chase down a second omega.

When he turned and walked back toward the front door I couldn’t hide my grin.

“Good boy,” I muttered under my breath.

He held the door when he came out, the waitress hurrying out to drop off plates of food. My eyebrows rose when she put a plate of pasta and a drink in front of me.

Taylor shrugged when I looked to him for answers.

“You got what I got,” he said. “Figured you would need food as well.”

My smile grew wider at the thoughtful gesture. I’d have eaten it even if I hated it at this point.

“Thank you, Taylor,” I said, voice a low rumble that had him swallowing hard and looking away.

Oh, now he was shy?

Interesting. I might have a switch on my hands.

“We have a few things to discuss, gentleman,” I said, glancing around at the three men at the table with me.

My pack.

Another surprise. Especially since this pack was more than a little messed up at the moment.

“What stake do you have here?” Maverick scoffed. As if he had a leg to stand on with our omega. He couldn’t even tell her that he wanted her and accepted a date right in front of her.

“More than you, seeing as I've fucked her,” I said evenly. Something he already suspected.

Maverick stood up, ready to lunge across the table at me while I sat there, unbothered and slightly amused.

Taylor growled, shoving him back.

“This is my family business. If you can’t control yourself then you can leave, Maverick Whitaker. You may be some social media royalty these days, but you’re no king here,” he bit out. “Either sit your ass down, or go.”

Leo looked up at Taylor, shock on his face. I wasn’t sure of their connection, only that it was platonic.

“Damn, Taylor,” Leo said, a slight chuckle escaping. “What the hell is going on here?”

“I’d love to know how you fit in,” I admitted, gesturing to Leo.

“We’re pack,” he said, hand pointing to Taylor and himself. “He’s my best friend and I was trying to get a read on this omega he found.”

“The same one you bullied relentlessly in middle school and sent home crying far too many times to fucking count,” Maverick accused.

Anger flared in my chest until guilt flashed across Leo’s face.

“Something I intend to talk to her about,” the beta admitted. His calm fell away as he slumped against the table, hands gripping at his short, brown hair. “It was a misunderstanding held by a young kid. I’ll fix it, because I’m fairly certain she’s mine, too.”

“What?” Taylor asked, stunned. “What do you mean?”

His voice held hope. Clearly, my omega wanted this man as his pack and was grasping at ways to make it happen.

“I swear I scented her. It was so quick, there then not, but it cut straight through me.”

The same as it had that night with her. She wasn’t relaxed and letting her guard down here, so maybe it was being close to true scent matched mates that did it.

Or stress. There was enough of that tonight to fill a therapist’s appointment book for several years out.

“I haven’t,” Maverick said. His tone held so much defeat that the rest of us fell silent. The alpha’s face was a picture of pure, raw devastation.

If he cared for her that deeply, was fighting this hard, then I had a feeling he’d eventually come to the conclusion we did.

“You know not all mates are scent matched,” Taylor said gently.

“Sidney wants you,” I agreed. “The look on her face last night at the bar, the one where you accepted a date right in front of her, matches this one.”

I gestured to his face and he frowned at me. Maverick Whitaker was an intimidating presence, but all I could think now was that he seemed small.

“As someone who is one hundred percent sure she is my scent match, let me tell you all one thing. If you want her, make it clear. We’re not fucking children. Pull up your big boy pants and fucking talk about your feelings. Being cold and distant will only end in you being alone and losing out on one of the most interesting omegas I’ve ever met. I won’t let you push her aside and string her along.”

My gaze flickered from one to the next as I spoke, softening as I reached Taylor. From the way she relied on him they were already past that point.

“I have,” he confirmed, glancing over at the other two. “I’m not going anywhere and she knows it.”

“Good,” I said, raising an eyebrow in challenge at Maverick.

“You’re not the fucking leader of this pack,” he argued. Apparently his default when backed in a corner and facing his feelings was to be a dick. Noted.

“Oh, I am,” I confirmed. “Taylor and Sidney are both my mates and I’ll be looking for a more permanent place to stay tomorrow.”

“Stay with us,” Leo said, glancing at Taylor to confirm. My omega blushed furiously, his dimples almost deepening in the color on his cheeks.

“Of course,” Taylor said, nervous as hell but putting on a brave face.

“Don’t worry, omega, I’ll give you the space you need,” I promised in a firm tone. “I wasn’t here to intimidate you and crash into your lives. I will only move forward when I know it’s what you both want.”

“I do want it,” Taylor said. “I just… need her first.”

“Then we can be close and stay friends. Whatever you need,” I reassured him. I could be a patient man. It would make anticipating the softness of his skin and the needy whines from his lips that much sweeter.

“I’m not in a pack with a man trying to ruin my family business,” Maverick snarled.

“Then be alone without an omega who could change your life,” Taylor growled right back. “She’s fucking worth it. If you can’t see that then you’re an idiot and don’t deserve her.”

He stood up and started clearing the table. Maverick sat there, stunned, unsure what to say.

Leo stood with a deep sigh. “I’m going to try to make my own amends. I encourage you to do the same.”

He started to walk away but stopped and turned back to Maverick.

“I hope you can let this go as well. I’m not going anywhere and neither is my business. It was already approved by the town, Maverick. It’s a lounge with live music and jazz, not a bar like yours. We aren’t the competition and this rivalry will ruin our future if we don’t get it together.”

When Leo walked away, I turned to Maverick.

“Trust me, as someone in this business… you are not the same. Take a day or two and think it all over. Just know I’m not letting you string her along. She deserves better.”

With that I dropped a few bills on the table and started to walk out. Taylor was nowhere to be seen and I could read a situation enough to know that he needed space.

When I was finally in my room ten minutes later, I couldn’t resist checking in on Sidney.

Bennet: Give it time. Your pack will come together, Sidney.

Sidney: I don’t have a pack

Bennet: You can lie to yourself all you want, omega. You are mine and I won’t be going anywhere. I doubt the other three will either.

Sidney: I’m going to bed.

It seemed my mate wasn’t quite ready to accept reality, or too afraid to. Meanwhile, I would be focused on making sure her pack is worthy of her and can give her everything she needs.

She deserved nothing less.