40. Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty
Beth
I don't think this night could get any more complicated even if Rourke did show back up.
Instant guilt hits me when Gio walks on ahead, looking out for our safety.
The realization that I didn't want to tell him about the whole mess with Marcus made me a little wary about what I should be saying, and now I'm nervous about revealing anything.
My wrists start to itch as I walk beside Jack.
I ignore the phantom feeling and try to come up with meaningless conversation to pass the time. Unfortunately, there's one thing I can't ignore, and that's what my asshole ex did to his face.
"I'm sorry about what happened," I blurt, knowing it needs to be said.
"What, this?" Jack scoffs. "I get into a fist fight at least once a night. It's nothing."
I raise an eyebrow at him. "Um, what?"
"Okay, okay. That was a lie. I was trying to sound tough, I guess. I'm fine, though. Really. I was more worried about you running away like you did."
"Oh. I just … I was in shock. Seeing him again. I really didn't want to see him, and I had no idea he would do something like that," I confess. "He wasn't … He was different when I knew him."
"Different, how?" he asks.
"He was never a fighter. Not that he couldn't stand up for himself, he was just never interested in starting something like that. He was …" I trail off, feeling a little lost.
I'm talking like I knew him.
I thought I did, but what he did to me …
That was more vicious than bruising my skin.
"He was manipulative," I start again. "Mean with his words, not his fists."
"Huh," Jack murmurs. "I guess I must have riled him up then."
"If you did, that's on him."
"I don't know," he jokes. "I can be kind of an asshole when I don't like someone."
"Well then I guess I'm glad you like me," I joke back, feeling my face flush when I realize how much it sounds like I'm flirting.
Because I am.
Ugh. What is wrong with me?
These guys have a pack.
They're not casual dating material.
Besides that, I don't think his Alpha would be too pleased if I told him I wanted to date them both. Alphas are usually way too possessive for that kind of thing.
Non-pack Alphas.
He's pack, Beth, remember.
They're both in a pack.
You just don't know if they're mated to their Omega or not.
It feels like a loaded question.
If they say yes, there's no way I can see either of them again.
If they say no, well, that feels even more complicated.
The easiest option is to steer clear of them both.
Avoid making a mess and getting hurt.
That's the plan now, and I need to stick to it.