Chapter Six

Vince

"Are we going to talk about last night?" Val raised his eyebrows and took a sip of his coffee. We were sitting in the kitchen, eating breakfast and avoiding talking. Why did he have to ruin a good thing by asking questions?

"I think we both know what happened last night." I bit into my warm Swiss cheese croissant. "Did you put spinach in this?"

"Of course I did," Val huffed. "Now stop avoiding the real question. What happened last night after you left me to get the drinks from the bar? One minute, I thought I was hanging out with my brother, and the next, I got a text saying I could leave and you'd find your way home later, like I would leave you in an unfamiliar town with an unknown hookup. I had to sleep in my car."

"You did not have to sleep in your car." I put down my breakfast and focused all my attention on my brother. "You chose to, which I appreciate, since I had a ride home this morning. But I didn't force you to."

"That's not the point, Vince."

"I know, Val. But I wanted to point out. As for where I went? I found an omega who piqued my interest, something that hadn't happened in way too long. I'm sorry I bailed on you with merely a text, but I saw my chance and took it. And honestly, I have no regrets."

"So, a one-night stand was more important than hanging out with your brother?" Val's pouting was getting ridiculous.

"First of all, you made it clear that we were trying to get laid. You said exactly that when you asked if I wanted to go to the club last night. Second, can it be a one-night stand if I have plans to meet up with him this afternoon?" I took a sip of my still-warm black coffee. "I have to be at Pink Coffee Cafe at noon."

"You're ditching me for a guy again today?" Val threw up his hands. "I guess I'll just have to find my date for today."

"I bet you already have one lined up." I took a guess, knowing my brother liked to date around and never had trouble finding someone willing to keep him company.

"I do, actually." Val winked and sipped his latte. "They are meeting me at the cafe as well, around noon. You mumbled your plans to me before you crashed for your three-hour nap this morning, so I made arrangements myself. This way, I get to have fun, but I also get to see who caught my brother's interest."

"Seriously?" I rolled my eyes. "Fine. You can meet him, but please don't embarrass me."

"I will." Val rose and took our dishes to the sink. "We better get going if I am to show you around the town before our dates. We have a lot to cover in about two hours."

"Just give me about ten minutes to get dressed, and we can go."

***

"Val, don't say anything that I'll have to kill you for later. You're my brother, and I love you, but I don't feel like missing out on another date because you decided to threaten an omega not to hurt your brother." We had just arrived at the café, and I needed to remind my brother not to be a dumbass.

"Come on, Vince. That is my job as your sibling. You can't deny me my birth-given right." Val chuckled as he pulled the cafe doors open. "Let's say hi to your omega, and then I can meet up with mine and see where the day takes us."

"Fine," I huffed, knowing that Val would embarrass me somehow, just like he always had since we learned what the hype surrounding dating was all about.

Spotting Rayan sitting at a table near the book nook section, I headed straight toward him. We could get our order after our greeting. My heart fluttered in my chest at the huge grin that lit his face when he noticed me.

"Vince." Rayan stood and enveloped me in his arms. I wasn't sure if meeting up again in the light of day would be awkward, but I was encouraged by the feeling of rightness that came over me as we embraced.

"Hey, Rayan." I kissed his cheek as he pulled away and gestured toward Val. "This is my brother, Val. He decided it was his job to interrogate you before meeting up with his friend."

"Hey." Rayan blushed a beautiful pink and waved awkwardly

"Hi, Rayan." Val smiled. "It's been a while. How's the store doing?"

"Good." Rayan grinned. "Astrid and I made a few changes since last quarter, which made a huge difference in sales. How's your business going?"

"Pretty good." Val freelanced as a website designer and was proud of his success. "I just signed two new contracts this week. It's been busy since the new development in Wolf River opened."

I looked between my brother and my date. "You two know each other?"

"Oh yeah." Rayan bit his lip. "Val is friends with my ex, William—"

"Was." Val shrugged. "He finally showed a few of us what a jackass he truly is. I think he might be friendless at this point."

"What a shame," Rayne deadpanned.

"Yep." Val nodded. "We were going to contact you to see if you wanted to catch up. Samuel, Dean, and I thought you were cool when you met up with us. But then we second-guessed ourselves."

"You should have." Rayan gestured to the counter. "Do you want to grab a cup and join us?"

Val looked at me and shook his head. "Maybe another time. I am supposed to meet up with Patrick."

Just then, a tall and athletically built redhead joined our group. "Did I hear my name mentioned?"

"Hey, babe." Val kissed the man on the cheek in greeting. "Vince, this is my friend, Patrick. Patrick, this is the idiot Fate decided to make my twin. And, of course, you and Rayan know one another."

"Hey." Patrick reached out and shook my hand. "It's good to meet you. Don't worry. Val only told me a few stories about you and your adventures growing up."

"You'll have to share them with me." Rayan squeezed my arm, winking. "I need some stories."

"Didn't you say you had plans?" I nudged my brother. "You should get going on those."

"Fine," Val chuckled, taking Patrick's hand and walking toward the counter. "But if you want stories, Rayan, come find us."

Once they were gone, I lowered myself onto the seat and put my face in my hands. "Please don't go after them for stories of my ill-spent youth."

"I'm gonna go grab us some lunch." Rayan touched my shoulder, and tingles ran down my arm. "And don't worry. I won't ask them. Not yet anyway."

The tinkling of Rayan's laughter as he walked away made me feel better until I comprehended what he said.

Fuck me.