Page 212 of All Packed Up

“Someone lead the way,” she pleaded.

With a chuckle, they parted ways to split up into their vehicles. The city was still so quiet at this time of night, it was bewildering. They hardly passed any cars on the road on their way back to Nic’s.

Griffith was nervous. He didn’t know why, but he brushed his damp hands over his thighs for like the third time. What the actual fuck?

Wendy caught him in the act, arching a brow before facing the road again. He flushed—flushed!—at her all-knowing stare. But it wasn’t until they were standing in the hallway before door C69 that Wendy spoke.

“I think I’ll stay with Tate and Arlo tonight, if that’s okay?” she asked.

Nic turned his head to her, and Grif eyed her in surprise. She didn’t want to lay claim to her beta?

“Are you sure?” the beta asked. “We can make it work—”

“No, it’s okay, I promise. Grif can have you for tonight,” she offered with a wink. “Unless you want me there?”

Nic’s cheeks flushed in that goddamned pink again, and Grif had to fight the urge to pull him inside the apartment and shut the whole world out.

“I always want you there. But I understand if resisting the temptation of the Stoners is too hard,” he teased and leaned in to lay a soft kiss on the top of her head.

It was so fuckin’ affectionate. There was so much emotion in the simple movement it made Grif’s chest tight.

What if Nic never felt like that for him again? What if their time really was over?

“Get some rest,” Nic urged and turned her toward the pair of alphas waiting just a few paces away.

Wendy nodded, turned on her heel, and walked with Tate and Arlo toward the door marked C70.

“Neighbors, huh?” Griffith asked.

Nic snorted. “Neighbors.”

“Nice number, by the way,” he teased, pointing at the letter and suggestive numbers on his door.

“I got lucky,” he admitted with a chuckle before opening the door.

Chapter 47

NIC

Griffith was awkwardly silent as they stepped into Nic’s apartment.

He eyed the alpha, but all he found was simple curiosity as the alpha took in his space.

“Decor never really was your thing, was it?”

Nic groaned. “Not you too!”

“I’m just saying,” Grif added with a shrug, a knowing little smile on his lips. Fucker.

The alpha made his way around the kitchen before circling the living room and shrugging. “S’pretty nice,” he said, and Nic felt a tension release that he didn’t even know had balled up between his shoulders.

“Thanks,” Nic offered in return. Why did he feel so unsure suddenly? Fuck. Wasn’t this shit supposed to get easier the longer you’ve known someone?

“Okay, well. Here’s your room,” Nic offered, waving a hand at the room Wendy had been staying in. “Might smell a little like Wendy, but I guess you’re used to that by now, right?”

When Nic didn’t hear the alpha’s steps behind him, he faltered, turned to find him at the mouth of the living room.

“What is it?” Nic asked, brow furrowing.