Chapter Twelve

West

"Hello, West. I've missed you."

My heart sank. I'd had an amazing night with my omega. The most amazing and loving sex this morning. I climbed out of the car to face my past.

My body shuddered in response to his voice.

And now Clint had soured the day with his presence. I bet that wasn't all he was going to grace us with either. He had that look on his face. As a former people-pleaser, I could already tell that he had something on his mind.

"Why are you here, Clint?" I asked, noticing that he was leaned on my truck with one hip. Cocky son of a bitch. Always was. His arms were crossed over his chest, and he smiled.

His eyes ticked to Antoine. "I didn't realize you were bringing a friend."

I ignored his dig. Feeding it would only bring more words from him, and I had a feeling none of them would be nice. They never were when he wore that smile.

"I'm going to ask you again, Clint. Why are you here?"

"Oooh, the cub has grown some balls, I see. You've also gained some weight around the tummy. Off your strict diet, or did you eat from the emotional pain of leaving someone like me."

Maybe I did, a little, but it wasn't because of the pain. It was from the utter regret of staying with him so damned long.

"Why do you care? I'm not yours. We aren't together and haven't been for a while."

Clint shrugged. "I told you. I miss you."

That was the second time he'd said it. I didn't believe it and, even if I did, I didn't give a shit. I had a beautiful omega now. One who would never degrade me or try to control me. One who was growing to love me for who I was, not who they wanted me to be.

He didn't miss me. He missed pushing me around, emotionally and physically. Makeup designers had to cover up bruises on a few occasions.

"Well, I'm taken. And even if I wasn't, you and I are over. There is a reason I asked you never to contact me again."

I had. I had texted and sent an email. I wanted no contact with him. He was the kind of person who would twist and tangle a hello and have me back in his grasp in minutes.

"Aww, you didn't mean that, did you? After all we've been through? You said you loved me."

Antoine, who had my hand in his, tensed slightly. "I did. That was a mistake. I confused infatuation and codependency for love."

He ignored my response and shrugged one shoulder, pushing off my cart. "I'm sorry about the money. I needed it for something important."

"I don't care. I closed the account. It was a mistake to trust that you wouldn't steal from me. I learned my lesson and a lot more from you, Clint."

"Does he tell you he loves you too, little fox?" Clint turned his attention on Antoine.

I tried to step in front of my newly mated omega, but he stepped up first. "Do you have some kind of investment in this truck?"

Clint kicked at the tow attachment. "This piece of shit? He'll be lucky if he can pay the rent with his snowball money. Kids selling lemonade from a cardboard box probably make more than West will."

"In that case," Antoine said. I'd never heard his forceful tone but, as he talked to Clint, it kind of turned me on. Gods, he was especially adorable when he was mad. "Why don't you go back to wherever you came from and leave him alone?"

"Oh, having your little fox fight your battles. Pathetic alpha. You always were."

There was a time when those words would've stung but, today, with my omega by my side, my brilliant, talented, genius of an omega here with me, there was nothing that could spoil my day. And I wasn't letting this asshole say anything more.

"Come on," I said and brought Antoine to the truck. I was excited to show my mate my truck. I'd worked hard to save for it and he had been a big part of me getting it. I showed him the machinery that came with the truck and he pulled out his phone. Before I knew it, we were in a full-blown planning session discussing flavors and toppings. My omega was as curious about the condensed milk as was I.

"You're sure you won't change your mind, West? This is what you want?" Clint's voice plucked my strings and not in a good way. His voice that I once loved now sounded like an out-of-tune fiddle.

"He's sure." Antoine whirled on him with his hands on his hips.

"Just leave already, Clint," I said. "I don't want you anymore. I don't love you and I never really did. I don't miss you. If I never see you again in this lifetime, it will be too soon. Just go."

Clint flipped us both off, but he gave us a gift. He left.

"Thank you for standing up for me, omega," I said, pulling Antoine in for a hug. "No one has ever stood up for me before."

"You're welcome. He was giving me the creeps. One day you'll have to explain how you put up with that for so long. In the meantime…have you heard of the flavor Island Dream?" He showed me his phone. "Passionfruit. Pineapple. And guava."

"You know what?" I said, kissing his temple. "I'm gonna find your favorite flavor and name it after you."

"The Antoine sounds nice. Oh, apple!"

Who knew the omega got so excited over shaved ice flavors? Not this guy.