Chapter 22
“Yeah. Anyway, James and Tony arranged for a blind date for me to meet up with Kee and Mase at The Old Block.”
“That’s the diner belonging to Mase?”
“Yes,” Blake confirmed. “Tony is a gruff alpha, but he’s a wonderful one.”
“I’m aware of that.”
“James informed me about a week after my first date with Kee and Mase that Tony was embarrassed about the blind date thing. That was the reason why James was the one who had to force me to meet up with Kee and Mase.”
Alan snickered. “That sounds like Tony.”
Blake chortled. “Alphas are strange, aren’t they?”
Alan laughed even louder. “You can say that again.”
“Yeah.”
There was a brief period of silence, but the other omega spoke up a few minutes later. “What’s it like?”
“Being pregnant with triplets?”
“That, and also being mated to two alphas.”
Blake pondered his response for a moment or so before answering. “Kee and Mase are incredible, but they drive me crazy sometimes.”
“Too protective,” Alan remarked with the utmost confidence.
Blake snorted. “That’s right. Why do alphas treat us omegas like we’re porcelain dolls?”
“If I knew the reason for that, I could have solved all the problems in the world.”
Blake acknowledged the truth in that assertion with a soft chuckle. “But they love me.”
“And you love them.”
“I really do. Being pregnant is…is rather hard to explain. I can do without all the morning sickness and the fatigue. I know my alphas can’t understand all my weird cravings, but they’ve been awesome and patient with me.”
“You have a healthy, joyful glow to you. I…I envy you.”
“Why?”
Alan hesitated for several seconds. “I was in a relationship with a mated alpha-beta pairing before I met Tony and James.”
“I heard about it from James.”
“Their names are Margaret and Tanya.”
“And?” Blake prodded.
“They were kind to me, but there was this…this gap between them and me. They might not set out to make me feel like an extra person in the relationship, but that was how I felt for the entire time I dated them.”
He eyed Alan with sympathy. “I understand how you felt. Kee and Mase had been together for years before I got involved with them.”
“How did you…you know, get over the insecurity?”
Blake inhaled and exhaled a few times while he thought about the past. “My alphas were excellent when it came to sharing their affections with each other and me. I put my faith in them and I also gave everything I had into making the relationship among the three of us a success.”
“That simple, eh?”
Blake snorted. “I wish. We had our ups and downs, but we kept the lines of communication open.”
“Okay.”
“Are you worried about James and Tony turning into the same situation as Margaret and Tanya?”
Alan glanced at the house for a few seconds before facing Blake once again. “Yeah.”
“I’m biased because James is my buddy. Regardless, I want you to know that James is an incredible person. He’s loyal, sweet, and kind. I’ve also been friends with Tony for a while. The alpha isn’t perfect, but he’s a wonderful man. In my opinion, he’s too intense and clingy, but I can tell how much he likes you. He couldn’t stop staring at either you or James for almost the entire duration of dinner earlier. Give them both and yourself a chance.”
“What if it doesn’t work out?”
“What if it does?” he countered. “If you refuse to take a risk, you may never find out if they’re the right mates for you. I’ve been in your shoes before, so I know how you feel.”
Alan was quiet for a while, but he eventually responded. “You’re right.”
Blake grinned. “I hope the three of you can work things out. Regardless, I want us to keep in touch. I don’t have many omega friends.”
“Me neither. As omegas, we have to stick together.”
“I couldn’t say it better myself.”
Then they burst out laughing. Blake wasn’t certain he managed to alleviate all of Alan’s concerns, but he did his best. The rest would be up to James, Anthony, and Alan. He could only wish the best for them. He was also relieved he and Alan were able to communicate with each other. Moments later, Blake detected the scents of his alphas drifting closer, in addition to those of Anthony and James.
“Have a good chat?” Mason inquired before bending forward to kiss Blake’s cheek.
“Yes, alpha.”
Blake smiled when Kian pressed his lips on his other cheek. “That’s awesome, babe. Anyway, Tony and James are ready to leave now.”
Alan shrugged. “Oh, it’s fine. Blake and I can talk again next time.”
“Absolutely,” Blake agreed and beamed at Alan. “I’m so delighted to have a new omega friend. I’ll give you my number. Contact me anytime.”
“Of course.”
After James, Tony, and Alan left, Blake sat between his alphas on the couch as they cuddled close to one another while watching a romantic comedy on TV. They chatted a bit about Alan, Tony, and James before the conversation shifted toward work-related matters. They also talked about their parents.