Track 8 Run For the Hills

The house that the Cordova pack is staying in on Lake Kilrose is… over the top.

One of those monstrosities that my father used to complain about. He would one hundred percent hate this house.

If it wasn't for its immense size, I might kind of love it.

The entire back wall of the three story building is windows looking out over the lake, it's a gorgeous view and smart of whoever built the place to make that the focus of the entire building, though I suppose most of the houses up here face the lake.

I stand in the living room with my arms folded over my stomach, looking at the rippling water. It's dark with the full moon reflecting off the surface, giving me just enough light to make out a dock stretching from the impressive backyard deep into the water. I can just make out the hulking shape of a speedboat bumping gently alongside it.

Warmth presses into my side and I look up to find Gage standing next to me, looking at the same view I am, but rather than looking enraptured and awed, he looks… disappointed, upset. Like he'd rather be anywhere but here.

I frown and shift to face him. His hand slides from my lower back to my hip, fingers tightening gently as he looks at me. It's a little weird. I don't think Gage has ever been this physically affectionate with me. Sure, we've hugged and horsed around and cuddled in the most platonic sense possible, but this feels different.

Gage hasn't let go of me. Not once.

When we got in the car, he gripped my hand, helped me into the seat and then pushed me over until I was in the middle and he could slide in next to me. There was a brief reprieve of his fingers entwined with mine as we both put on our seatbelts and then he was back to holding me again, this time, his arm over my shoulder as he pulled me into his side, away from Rafe who slipped in next to us after a heated discussion between him and Liam.

I think Rafe didn't want his omega in that close proximity to an unknown alpha, and Liam wanted to be close to me.

I can't be sure, but I think Rafe pulled out his alpha bark to get Liam to sit in the front seat with Gray.

I get it. But Gage practically snarled at the other alpha and pulled me further into his side, when there already wasn't much space between us. When we got here, he all but dragged me out of his side of the car and stayed right next to me through the entire house tour. Which is impressive if you like houses with six bedrooms (including a nest), seven bathrooms, a family room, a den and a formal living room, as well as a giant kitchen.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't like it the tiniest bit.

"Have you been to see your parents?" I ask quietly now, thinking maybe that's the reason Gage is unhappy with the current situation. Maybe he thought he'd drop by the Shack and say hi and then go to see his family. But upon finding me with unknown males, he had to change his plans. "If you haven't, you should-You can visit with them. They'll hate that you came to see me first. I'll be fine."

The frown on his face deepens, most likely because he knows that I'm right. His dads tolerated our friendship at best. His mom, I think, liked me a little more when I was younger and less as I got older, when it became clear that our friendship wasn't just for childhood. Gage and I are in each other's life for the duration. There's nothing he could do to make me not want him to be my best friend forever, even abandon me for seven years.

I live with the knowledge that, at any point, he might change his mind about me. Probably when he finds a pack and settles in with his omega. A familiar ache starts up in my chest at the thought and I look down at his t-shirt, rather than meet his dark blue eyes.

Calloused fingers grip my chin and tilt my face up to his. His gaze runs over my features and I resist the urge to pull away and duck my head again. I never look my best after working at the Shack. My hair is always frizzy and the little makeup I bother with has faded and smudged off. I feel sticky with sweat and burger grease. Not to mention, I'm sure the healing pimple on my chin is flashing bright red and gross.

But none of this is new. Gage has already seen me at my worst… no, that's not true, my worst was after my parents died and I was alone for that. But we've been friends forever. He's seen me in worse shape than I am right now, so I resist the urge to not let him look.

Besides the intensity in his eyes, the way he's… devouring me with his dark blue gaze has me thinking he doesn't mind the view so much.

I don't know how long we stand there just looking at each other, breathing in our familiar scents, but eventually his thumb strokes over my chin and he murmurs, "I saw them first."

There is no earthly reason that simple statement should make my stomach drop and twist and ache, but it does. Of course he saw his family first. It's only right that he did. Haven't I just been thinking the same thing?

But that doesn't stop me from feeling disappointed that he didn't rush to my side.

That's the part of me that has been halfway in love with him for years. The nonsensical, romantic part that I always have to fight to keep buried in a box at the back of my heart around this man.

Half his mouth curls into a slight smirk. "I didn't want them interrupting my time with you, which they would have done had I not seen them first, biscuit. But now I'm free to focus on you. Only you."

I delicate shiver rolls over my body and my nipples pucker at his simple statement, like he's not talking about catching up, but talking about laying me out on a bed and spending hours learning every inch of my body.

He doesn't mean that. I know he doesn't.

"I hate to interrupt," comes Liam's voice, his Scottish accent a little thicker. "But can I interest either of you in a drink? Or something to eat?"

I pull away from Gage, my cheeks flushing, and turn to the omega, who is staring at us with stark longing. I don't think I've ever had anyone look at me quite like that… And, honestly, it doesn't make sense that Liam Cordova would look at me, Sorrel Forbes that way, so maybe he's looking at Gage like he wants to absorb him into his pack.

Another clench in my guts that I have to curl my fingers into fists to smother before I curve my lips into a smile that says, ‘I'm perfectly fine.'

"Oh, no thank you, Liam. I'm… We won't be staying long." I don't think I can. The more time I spend with this pack, the more the ache inside me grows. I want them. Beyond all reason, I want this pack. It's not because of who they are to the world. It's the way Grayson took the time to care for my burns, and the way Rafe somehow knew I preferred green tea in the mornings over black, and how Liam is just so… sweet. I never actually imagined he would be as sweet as he appears in his interviews, but he is and its… messing with my mind.

They don't really want me to be a part of their pack. It's like Liam said earlier, it's a sex thing. They think I'm hot and want to scratch an itch, but eventually they'll leave. I have to be prepared for that. I have to protect my heart as best as I can.

And that means not melting at the look Liam is currently giving me.

Steady, Sorrel.

"Don't be silly," Liam waves away my protest. "You'll be staying for dinner at least. Rafe and Gray are already discussing it with the chef."

I blink at him. "You have a chef?"

Gage huffs.

Liam tilts his head, a shy smile on his face. "Yeah, we do. I know, I know, it's a little over the top, but I have some pretty specific dietary needs, especially when I'm prepping for a movie or filming, and Gray and Rafe are just as busy as me, so it's easier if we have someone who can have meals ready for us."

It makes sense and, logically, I know that lots of celebrities have private chefs, but I just… can't seem to wrap my stupid brain around that fact. It's just so outside of the realm of what my life is like that I can't… truly comprehend it.

"Right," I say with my smile on my face. "Of course, that makes sense."

There's movement behind Liam, and I expect one of his alphas to appear behind him, but instead, I spot a mousy slim man with glasses on his beak-like nose and too much gel in his thinning blond hair. He can't be much older than me. He must really hate that he's balding, and he's trying to hide that fact with too much product.

He has a tablet in his hand and a sneer on his face as he looks at me and Gage. Liam doesn't notice, because as the omega turns to face him, the man arranges his face into a simpering expression that rivals my own fake smile.

"Liam, hon, do you have time to approve the photos for the OM article? They just sent them over."

I frown at this man's use of an endearment with Liam and glance at Gage to see if he's feeling the same way I am. My best friend's face is nearly expressionless, except for the slight tightening around his eyes and mouth. He also thinks it's weird. He looks down at me and his hand tightens on my hip before he looks back at the two men in front of us, gaze assessing.

I follow his line of sight as Liam reaches out to take the proffered tablet, seeming unperturbed by the nickname. Maybe, though I highly doubt it, this is the fourth, very little talked about, member of the Cordova pack. Their beta, because there is no way he's an alpha when I'm almost as tall as him, and he doesn't have that omega glow that Liam, Sadie and Sylvie have.

"Sorrel, Gage," Liam says as he flicks through what I assume are the photos. "This is Joey. he works for me in a roundabout way."

The beta gives him another simpering smile. "No, hon, I work for you."

My teeth grit at Joey's total lack of professionalism, but Liam doesn't seem to have a problem with it, so I don't say anything, even when the mousy man looks over at us. "And who might you be?" His tone makes it clear he thinks we're not of importance.

Gage makes a rumbling noise. A warning. Liam's head shoots up, his eyes wide as he slides to put himself between Gage and Joey. "This is Sorrel Forbes and Gage Wagner," he says smoothly, handing the tablet back. "They'll be spending quite a bit of time with the pack."

Joey takes the tablet back and glances down.

"You didn't finish-"

"I didn't," Liam cuts him off. "I have guests. It's rude of me to work while they're here."

Joey's eyes flick up to us and then back to Liam. He seems to debate something, how far to push the celebrity in front of him, his boss. "We need to get these approved, hon."

Liam backs closer to us. "Tomorrow will be soon enough, Joey."

"Why don't you take the night off, Joe?" Gray says, moving into the room. He's shed his suit jacket and tie, his sleeves are rolled up and the top two buttons are undone, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of his chest. So not fair how hot that is.

The assistant hesitates, again flicking his gaze around the room, landing on all of us before he tips his head at Gray. "Of course, Mr. Cordova. I'll…I'll be in my room if you need anything."

"I think we can manage," Gray says pleasantly enough, but I get the impression he's not really a fan of the beta. I wonder why he puts up with him., if that's the case. Surely they can find someone that isn't that… off putting. But he must be good at his job if he works for Liam. So maybe that's it.

"Nice to meet you, Joey," I say with a smile, wanting to ease the tension. They don't need to blow up a professional relationship just because of me.

The look he gives me makes it clear what he thinks of me. That is to say, dog shit on his shoe. "Likewise." He disappears farther into his house.

Liam moves closer, ignoring Gage when he tucks me tighter against him. The omega's fingers brush the back of my hand, and when I don't pull away, he laces our fingers together, reaching to do the same to Gage. "Come on," he tugs gently. "Lets go sit on the deck. Rafe can start a fire while Gray gets everyone drinks."

I allow him to pull me out the glass accordion doors and on to the deck, Gage right on our heels, pressing to my side.

He's never been like this before, this touchy, this physical.

Don't get me wrong. We've hugged and cuddled while watching a movie, but this is like, he can't leave me alone. Like he needs to be touching me.

A part of me wonders if it's his possessiveness coming out, wanting to stake a claim on me before the Cordova pack can.

But that thought is ridiculous. He's never shown even the slightest bit of interest in me like that. It's more likely that he's keeping me close like a big brother, like he's warning them to keep their distance and not hurt me or he'll hurt them.

Gage and I watch as Rafe ‘starts a fire' by flicking on the gas outdoor fireplace. The flames leaping to life with just a flip of a switch.

I glance over my shoulder as a phone rings and find Gray frowning down at his cell. His gaze flicks up to me, genuine regret on his face. "I'm sorry, I have to take this. Work."

"Noooooo," Liam wails as Rafe chuckles and pulls him onto a two-seater outdoor lounge. Gage all but drags me over to a loveseat facing them and urges me to sit before he takes the spot next to me.

Gray's lips twitch into a smile. "Sweetheart, you knew this was the tradeoff. We came up here, but I still need to work."

Liam's bottom lip sticks out in a pout, and he folds his arms over his chest. "But we have guests."

Before Gray can feel bad about it, though, I gently say, "Oh, don't worry about us. If anyone understands the need to work, it's me and Gage. We'll be fine."

Still, he hesitates, and that makes my chest get all warm and tight. Everyone knows Grayson Cordova is an alpha you don't mess with. He's ruthless, determined, and focused. He's built his empire brick by brick with his own hands. Never mind that his parent's pack is almost as well known as the Cordova pack is now. His father is Fin Cormack, movie producer and maker of dreams. His mother is Helen Cormack, an omega and philanthropist who supports more charities than I can count.

Everyone knows he didn't take a penny of their money when he started his business. Not even seed money. He was determined to do it himself, and he did.

I'd never keep him from doing what he needs to in order to keep it running.

"You're sure?" he asks.

I nod as Liam grouses. "Oh, sure, you'll stay if Sorrel asks, but when I do—your omega—you just roll your freaking eyes."

I giggle and the pout melts off Liam's lips as he laughs with me. "Fuck, that's a great sound, Sorrel. You should make it more often."

"If you think that's good," Gage says, making my head whip around to face him.

"No, don't-" I protest, but it's already too late. I squeal. My best friend's big hands go in for the kill, tickling along my ribs as my entire body crunches up and contorts to avoid his assault. "Gage, I'm going to fucking kill you!" I shout between compulsory laughs.

But he just keeps going, right until I wiggle myself off the chair and onto the deck. I land with an oof, and then glare up at him as he smugly folds his arms over his chest, like his job is complete or something, unrepentant. "I thought we were friends," I hiss, making him, and the other three men, chuckle.

"We are friends, biscuit," he reassures me, leaning down to loop his hands under my arms and drag me back onto the seat next to him.

I shake my head at him, violently. "Nuh-uh. Not if you can give away my biggest secret to virtual strangers!"

Liam makes a wounded noise that has my gaze moving over to him as Gray says, "We would have found out eventually, sweet thing."

It's on the tip of my tongue to deny that, but his phone rings yet again and he swears, gripping the back of his neck. "I've gotta go."

"Join us for dinner," Liam calls to his retreating back. Grayson waves over his shoulder in a sign which I take as assent.

Liam frowns after him. "He works too hard."

Rafe chuckles and kisses his temple. " You work too hard. We all fucking work too hard."

Liam snuggles under his alpha's arm into his chest, beaming at me and Gage. "You and I know when we need to take a break, though. He never does." He meets my gaze. "I was hoping coming up here could be a double bonus. Get to know you and get Gray to take a vacation, but no such luck."

I hum, brow furrowing as I look in the direction Gray went. "Aren't you technically working if you brought an assistant with you?"

Liam wiggles his head back and forth. "Yes and no, technically Joey is here to help with my career, manage my socials and all that, but he also does a lot of other stuff, like finding this house and getting us all moved in."

"Moved in?" Gage asks. "As in, you own it?" There's something in his tone that I can't quite place, a hint of… anger? But that doesn't make any sense. Why would he be angry that they bought a house on Lake Kilrose?

"Yep. I can't believe we've never thought to come up to the mountains from Granton. It's beautiful up here," Rafe confirms, pulling Liam closer to his side. I glance over my shoulder to look at the interior again. I assumed the house was a short-term rental, just for the time it takes for them to fuck me out of their system. But the way he says it seems much more permanent. The house doesn't look like they just moved in. Joey does some good work. "There's a pretty comprehensive gym in the basement, if you're looking for a place to work out."

Gage grunts. "I have a gym."

I shake my head. "Oh, no. Avalanche closed two years ago. Kenny moved into Granton to open a new gym there."

He looks down at me in surprise. "Really?" I nod. "Well, fuck," He murmurs then looks back up at Rafe. "I'm still good."

Frowning, I nudge him with a shoulder. "You should go check it out at least. It's a nice thing they're offering."

"I said I'm fine, biscuit. I can work out on my own."

"Where? The only gym in town now is Justin Stillwell's. And you don't even have a house yet, let alone a gym. Your parents don't have the space for one. You can't build one at my cabin." I nudge him again. "Just go check it out."

"We have a sparring ring," Rafe says, dark eyes focused on us, a small smile on his lips, like he's enjoying me all but browbeating Gage into submission.

My best friend's head snaps up and a feral light sweeps through his eyes. "Really?"

Rafe nods as Liam chuckles. "Yep. Any of us would be happy to spar with you at any time."

I don't miss how Gage's fingers flex. Rafe notices too. He laughs. "It seems like you might have some… things to work through with us."

I frown, not following, but Gage grunts out a response, which means ‘I do', so I just let it go.

He looks down at me, considering, then gives a begrudging nod. "Okay, let's go check it out, rich boy."

My mouth drops open at his rudeness, though it shouldn't surprise me. Gage isn't known for being polite and people still love him.

But Rafe just laughs, slapping his hands on his thighs and standing up. "Come on, I'll show you. Liam's been not so subtly begging me to give him and Sorrel some time alone." My gaze flies to the omega who is glowering at his alpha, but then, as if he feels my attention on him, he turns to smile bashfully at me.

"You can't blame me, can you?"

"Not at all," Rafe says at the same time Gage lets out a quiet, "no." My head whips toward him so fast I'm surprised I don't get whiplash, to find him looking down at me with this expression on his face that I've never, ever seen before. It's so completely foreign that I don't fully comprehend what it is, not until he's brushed a soft kiss on my forehead, and then pushed to a stand. Not until he's followed Rafe back inside.

Longing… Gage was looking at me with pure, unadulterated longing, and I don't know what I'm supposed to do with that.

I'm staring after him when Liam slips into the space next to me, his warm, hard thigh pressing into mine. "Hey." He nudges my shoulder with his, drawing my attention. God, he's so pretty with the firelight reflecting off his dark red hair, the angles of his face shown in stark relief.

"Hey."

"How are you after everything?"

My head tilts as I consider his question. "This is going to sound so bad, but I'm totally fine. I—don't get mad—but I've been through worse with Stephen than just a few burns." I hate admitting that, hate telling him the truth. Gage doesn't even know the shit I've been through with the Stillwell pack. But there's something about Liam that makes me want to tell him everything. The feeling is directly at odds with my normal inclination to pretend like everything is okay, like I am okay.

A low growl rumbles from him. It's sort of cute, actually, not really all that menacing. But maybe that's just because I know deep in my bones that Liam would never do anything to hurt me, at least not physically. My heart is another matter entirely. "I fucking hate that, lovely," he murmurs, reaching up to cup my cheek. "I hate that you've ever felt one ounce of pain."

My mouth quirks into a half smile. "Pain is a part of life, Liam. Everyone feels it, everyone heals from it. The pain is what makes the sweet times that much better."

His thumb skates over my bottom lip, making my breath catch and low in my belly throb with heat. It's amazing that just the single simple touch is enough to make me so freaking horny.

"Is this one of those times, lovely?" He murmurs, voice heavy with lust, gaze focused on my mouth. "One of those sweet times?"

I can't answer. Not right away. My voice seems to have deserted me completely, because this is Liam fucking Cordova with his thumb on my mouth, his gaze hot and wanting. My tongue darts out on instinct to buy myself some time and, of course, that means that I lick him.

"Lovely, lovely, Sorrel," he groans, thumb sweeping back and forth again, smearing my saliva on my lips.

Horrifyingly, I whimper. I've never whimpered in my freaking life, but here I am making noises I can't contain.

Liam's lips curl into a smirk, loving the effect he has on me. But it's not just me, is it? It's any girl in the world, and probably most of the men, too. Married, in a relationship, single, young and old, if Liam Cordova strokes your lip, you melt into a puddle of sexy hormonal goo. Even if the words hormonal and goo are the farthest thing from sexy.

The point stands, I could be anyone to him.

"I'm going to kiss you," he murmurs. "And you're going to let me."

It's a statement and not a question, but I still nod. "Yes." The one word comes out husky and deep, not like my normal voice at all.

Another flash of a smirk before he's bending closer to me. His fingers tighten on my chin, holding me in place like he's worried I might retreat, change my mind. But there's no way in hell I'd do that. This might be my one chance to know what this is like. To kiss Liam and feel his hands on me. A treasured memory I'll hold on to for years to come, probably for the rest of my life. Something I'll pull out when I'm eighty and wrinkled to remember my youth.

"Good girl," he whispers, just as his lips touch mine.

Explosions. Fireworks. Warmth and heat and breathless moments flavored with blueberry cheesecake.

That's what kissing Liam is like.

His fingers slide from my chin into my hair, gripping the strands to tug my head back so I'm at the right angle for him to kiss me deeper when his tongue plunges into my mouth. I hadn't even been aware of my lips parting, but they are, and he's taking full advantage. His free arm loops around my body, tugging me closer until my chest presses to his. It's apparently not close enough though, because he pulls back from my lips, just long enough to lift and turn me until I'm settled on his lap, straddling him.

The hard ridge of his cock nestles against my heated core, and we both groan before we're kissing again.

And yes, this is better. My arms loop around his neck, one hand pressing between his shifting and flexing shoulder blades and the other tangles in the silky strands of his deep red hair. He slides his hand back into my bun and the other grips my hip, encouraging me to move over him.

I do and the next few minutes are frenzied, a blur of mouths and tongues and teeth, pleasure mounting between my legs, even though I've never done anything like this before. Nothing. I don't climb on men's laps and grind my pussy over their hard dicks. Never.

This… This isn't normal for me.

Rafe and Gage can come back at any time and catch us like this.

The thought has a thrill running down my spine, but it's quickly followed by a chill.

Gage.

What will he think if he comes back out here and finds me like this?

I pull back, breathing heavy. Liam doesn't let me go far, his palm on the back of my head holding me in place, our foreheads touching, our breaths mingling. His scent is thick in the air, sweet as a bakeshop and creamy as hell.

"Fuck, lovely," he murmurs, tipping his chin up to peck my lips. " Fuck. " Another peck. "You almost made me cum in my pants."

My already flushed cheeks deepen in color. My whole body feels hot, hot, hot, on the verge of combustion. "I-I'm sorry?"

He laughs and rubs his nose against mine. "Don't be. You feel fucking phenomenal."

"You feel pretty good too," I concede.

"Just pretty good?" he asks, a sly little smirk on his mouth as he thrusts his hips up into me, making me let out a sound that's part squeak and part moan. "God, you're so fucking adorable. Makes me want to strip you bare and see what other noises I can get you to make."

"I imagine they'd be the same as any other woman you've brought to your bed."

His head jerks back so he can look at my face fully. "No. No, don't say that, Sorrel. Don't lump yourself in with everyone else. You're fucking… special." He frowns like he's not satisfied with that word but continues. "The sounds you make are not like everyone else, because it's you making them. Get it?"

I don't, not really, but I smile and nod and bend down to press my mouth to his in a gentle kiss. He melts under my mouth, tongue flicking out against my bottom lip before he sucks it into his mouth, scraping his teeth over it softly.

"You should stay the night," Liam murmurs against my mouth. "Please stay, lovely."

I open my mouth to agree, and only just barely stop myself. I'm not ready for that step. If I stay, we'll have sex. I highly doubt an invitation to his bed isn't just for cuddling. He'd made a point this afternoon of saying that his interest—their interest—in me is sexual, so it's not like he actually wants to get to know me. It's not like he'd be okay with me staying and then tacking on, ‘but not for sex.'

The thought has my heated blood cooling, the reminder that I'm only here with him so he can fuck me and eventually get me out of his system. How long would that take? Just once? Twice? My experience with men is that it never lasts for longer than a few weeks, months if I'm lucky, but no one actually wants to stay with me.

Most of my relationships just fizzle out.

And I'm not ready for that to happen with Liam and his pack.

I want to spend more time with them, and that means I have to remain strong and not give in.

No. No, I can't stay. Not for drinks and not for dinner and certainly not to share this omega's bed, his pack's bed.

"I'm- I have to go," I mutter, pulling away from him so fast he doesn't have a chance to react, to stop me. In seconds, I'm off his lap, down the stairs and sprinting across their perfectly manicured lawn, the scent of blueberry cheesecake clinging to my skin and lingering on my tongue.

Later that night, after I've run all the way home, showered and tucked myself into bed, I consider my options. There's really only two that I can see. First: back away from the Cordova pack now, focus on the restaurant, and helping Gage settle into civilian life. Liam might be disappointed at first, but he'll get over it. He's already said that it's a sex thing, and he has millions of girls willing to enter that kind of agreement with him and his pack, sex without emotions, without attachment.

The second option is to move forward with them, enjoy it while I can and not think about the way I'll be heartbroken when it's over. Because I know I will be heartbroken when it's all over. It might be sex only for them, but for me it's impossible to get physical with someone and not feel something for them.

And the sad truth is… I already feel something for them.

All of them. Even Grayson, who I just met today, but who took such good care of me in the wake of Stephen's abuse.

I don't fool myself into thinking there's a third option, one where we date and they fall in love with me and decide they want to keep me. Where they bite me into their pack and I'm their beta. Where we take care of each other for the rest of our lives.

That will not happen.

There's no world where the Cordova pack, who dates models and actresses and pop stars, will want to actually be with Sorrel Forbes, burger flipper extraordinaire. No, this is just… I don't want to say ‘slumming it' because I don't live in a slum, and while I'm not up to their usual standards for romantic partners, I'm not a bad girl from the wrong side of the tracks. But I am a small-town girl with a small life.

I'm not the type to go to fancy dinners or to be photographed while running errands. I would hate having my picture splashed across magazines while people tear apart what I'm wearing and how I look.

Almost everything about their life is dreadfully unappealing to me.

Except for them.

And if I can have them for a short time, enjoy their company and stay relatively detached, then why wouldn't I?

Because you won't be able to stay detached.

I pick up my phone and check the time. It's late, but not too late. Gnawing on my lip, I navigate to the text thread with Sylvie and Sadie.

Me:

Question: Given the chance to date a celebrity with no strings attached, would you do it?

Sadie:

Hell yeah!

Vee:

Why are there no strings attached?

Me:

Because they're a celebrity

They wouldn't really want to be with a nobody… right?

Sadie:

BITCH! YOU ARE NOT A NOBODY!

HOW DARE YOU!

Vee:

Caps lock aside, I agree with Sadie.

Anyone would be lucky to have you.

We've been saying that for years.

Me:

This is a hypothetical situation.

Vee:

Okay, then hypothetically, are you wanting the no strings or are they?

Sadie:

And are they hot?

Me:

They're a celebrity. Of course they're hot.

Sadie:

One doesn't necessarily mean the other.

Vee:

Answer my question, Sor.

Me:

Um, let's say it's unspoken by both parties.

Or not so unspoken, seeing as Liam had confirmed it would only be a sex thing. But they don't need to know that. I suspect they'll be offended on my behalf.

Sadie:

I say, Hell yeah, still.

If both sides agree and there's no chance of catching feelings,

then why wouldn't you shag the shit out of a celebrity?

Bragging rights and all that.

I gnaw on my lower lip and shake my head, not liking the idea of bragging about having sex with the Cordova pack. I wouldn't want to tell anyone about it, not in that context. It seems… disloyal or slimy. But then again, to Sadie and Sylvie, this is a hypothetical, so I can see where she's coming from.

Sylvie:

In this hypothetical situation, would you be able to stay emotionally detached?

Me:

…

No comment.

Sadie:

Shit, really?

Vee:

And there's no chance of both parties wanting to have an actual relationship?

Me:

I mean, this is all hypothetical,

so I suppose hypothetically it could turn into something more.

Sadie:

Are you going to tell us who this hypothetical situation is about?

Me:

…

No comment.

It definitely won't, but they don't need to know that. After all, this is all a practice in hypotheticals.

There's a long pause in which I get the impression they might be having a conversation without me in their own text chain. I sigh and stare at the beams on my ceiling until my phone buzzes again.

I stare at the screen.

It is definitely not a response from Vee or Sadie.

Unknown Number:

Hello, sweet thing.

I hope it's not too late to message.

Grayson. My fingers fumble over the screen of my phone in my haste to type a response.

Me

No, it's not too late.

I was actually just messaging my friends.

Unknown Number:

Excellent. I wanted to formally invite you for dinner again tomorrow.

I know we sort of sprung it on you tonight.

And you rushed out before we could make plans.

Guilt swells in my stomach.

Me:

I'm sorry. I know that was rude.

I'm not usually like that. I promise.

Unknown Number:

I know, sweet thing.

We can be… a lot.

But that doesn't mean you should run from us and put yourself at risk.

Me

What risk?

Unknown Number:

Wandering through the woods alone at night isn't exactly safe, now is it?

Oh, god. That tone. I can practically see him pinning me with an intense look, those muscled forearms of his on display as he stalks toward me and murmurs, ‘are you going to take your punishment like a good girl?' I blink the image away and ignore how my breathing's gone a little gasping and how my panties are more than a little wet.

Me:

It's not unsafe, Gray.

I've been wandering these woods since I was a toddler.

I always know exactly where I am.

Unknown Number:

Getting lost isn't the only thing that can befall you, Sorrel.

Please, for all our sakes, just let us see you to your door safely from now on.

Even when you're eager to get away from us.

Another shot of guilt.

Me:

I wouldn't say eager.

Just… overwhelmed?

There's a long pause in which I get a response from Vee and Sadie, where they confirm that in the hypothetical situation I've laid out, they would pursue the celebrity and see where it goes. I add Grayson's number as a new contact, feeling a little thrill as I do.

When two full minutes have passed without a response from Grayson, I type out a response to his original question.

Me:

I can't do dinner tomorrow.

On Mondays, I work late to prep food for Annie and Jeremy on Tuesdays, so I can have the day off.

Gray:

Even better. We can spend Tuesday together.

Liam mentioned a county fair.

Me:

You want to go to the County fair?

The Cordova pack…

Gray:

Yes. And we'll come pick you up from the restaurant tomorrow.

What time do you normally finish?

I stare long and hard at the message. At how he just assumes I'll be okay with them taking over my life, picking me up from work and demanding I do things like let them see me to my door even if I'm eager for space.

And the country fair? Really? I'm finding it hard to imagine the Cordova pack rambling through giant barns full of 4H entries for things like the biggest pig and most handsome rooster and greatest goat, and pies, cakes and jam.

But then there are also rides and fair food and games.

It's been years since I've been to the fair, since I was a teenager. Since before Gage left and my parents died. Since before I was saddled with their dream and gave up on my own.

I deserve to have a day of fun where I actually enjoy myself. The fair seems like the perfect place to do it. And with Gage back, it might feel like old times, a good way to help us reconnect after years spent apart, only speaking sporadically and seeing each other even less.

Me:

I usually get done around nine.

Sometimes a little earlier if it's slow.

Can Gage come to the fair with us?

There's a pause on his side, wherein I start to mentally review my closet, figuring out what I want to wear. My first thought is a dress, but if we're going on rides, I don't want to risk it flipping up and revealing my good bits to the world.

Gray:

Of course he can come.

He wants me to let you know he's also upset that you ran through the woods alone in the middle of the night.

Me:

Tell him tough shit.

Gray:

He did not like that, sweet thing.

I think you're in troubl e.

My toes curl for some unexplained reason. The idea of Gage bending me over his lap and spanking me for being naughty suddenly flooding my brain. My breath comes in a pant, and I grow embarrassingly wet between my thighs.

It only gets worse with the next text from Grayson.

Gray:

We'll be at the Shack at 8:30.

Be a good girl for me until then, Sorrel.

Because I'm super cool and super chill, I respond with a thumbs up emoji. Then smack myself in the face at how totally awkward I am.