Playing You (Omega's Luck #3) - Claire Cullen Page 0,55
on, but we… we weren’t on an equal footing.”
“He didn’t want to take advantage,” Zac concluded.
“We’re not very good at keeping things professional,” Riley admitted with a shrug.
“I know the feeling,” Harper admitted ruefully. “If the muse agency had known how we were carrying on…”
“I wouldn’t be winning any nanny of the year awards either,” Zac pointed out. “Getting pregnant with my employer’s baby.”
“That wasn’t your fault, duck,” Harper said. “But thanks for trying to make us feel better.”
The three of them stared at one another before bursting into laughter.
“I think it’s time for tea,” Zac said, pushing awkwardly to his feet.
“We’ll help,” Harper said, tugging Riley off the couch as he balanced Lilah against his hip. “Is there cake? I heard a rumor from William that there’d be cake.”
Laughing once more, Riley followed the two omegas through the house. Far from being cold or standoffish, as he’d expected of two strangers, they were far more welcoming than he felt he deserved.
“So you liked them?”
Brendan was watching him hopefully as they drove to the shifter park the next day.
“They were really nice. A little crazy, too.”
The alpha grinned at him. “Aren’t we all?”
“I guess so. They, um, they seem pretty happy together. The couples and the friends.”
“Yeah. They’ve known each other for a long time. We’re kind of the third wheels. But that’s okay.”
“I did like having other omegas to talk to. Mateo’s great, but…” He was on another film set, working long days.
“But he’s away for weeks at a time.”
“Yeah. It’d be nice to have friends I could see more often.”
“You guys swapped numbers, right? William said something about a lunch date.”
“Uh-huh. Next Saturday, lunch and shopping.”
“Sounds very… normal.”
“Normal is good.” Was he trying to convince himself or Brendan?
“Yeah. I’m sure you guys will have fun. Are the kids tagging along, or have Beckett and William got them for the day?”
“Um, Zac mentioned something about an outing to the park? I don’t think little kids like shopping all that much.”
“Shifter park or…”
“Just a regular playground, I think.”
Riley tapped his fingers against the car door as they pulled into the shifter park’s parking lot. Brendan’s talking had helped distract him from his nervousness.
“You look like I’m about to lead you into war. It’s a shifter park. It’s supposed to be fun.”
“I know. It’s just…”
“Just…” Brendan prodded.
“I’ve only shifted that one weekend. What if it was a fluke? Or because of my heat? Or what if shifting again brings on another heat?”
“You’re overthinking it.”
“But…”
“Seriously overthinking it. If you get too worked up, you won’t be able to change. Just relax and follow my lead. Come on.”
With that, the alpha got out of the car and strode toward the nearby building. Riley clambered out and hurried after him.
Brendan had sorted out a membership for him, so all they had to do was scan their phones at the entrance. The alpha showed him into a private changing room, locked the door, and started stripping. Riley gradually followed suit.
“We put our clothes into the lockers. They lock with a thumbprint. And then we go and stand over by those green doors. They open automatically once the sensors detect us. When we’re coming back, we just come back in by the outer green doors and get dressed again.”
“What if someone else is in the changing room?”
“The door won’t open if there is. Sometimes you have to wait a few minutes for a room to empty, but it doesn’t happen often. Ready?”
“What if I can’t do this?”
“Then you come out with me in human form. There are usually a few non-shifters milling around. You won’t stand out.”
Relieved to have a way out and to know he wouldn’t ruin Brendan’s plans if he couldn’t shift, he relaxed and finished tugging off his clothes. Brendan seemed in no hurry.
“You’re waiting for me?” he asked.
“No rush. Whenever you’re ready.”
“What if someone’s waiting to come in?”
“A chime sounds and that green light in the corner flashes.”
“Oh. That’s considerate of them.”
He glanced around, uncertain how to get started.
“Just like last time,” Brendan coached gently. “Close your eyes, let your shifter animal come to you. It’ll be easier this time. He’ll be waiting closer to the surface.”
Riley took a deep breath and sank to the floor, closing his eyes. He felt the alpha move nearer, his presence reassuring. Just like last time, he tried to quiet his mind, focusing on his breathing. He caught the flicker of movement in the corner of his eye almost immediately. Brendan was right; his shifter animal