Beta Complex

Chapter 82: You Look Good

Leo sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose, "Am I just invisible now?" He mutters. He definitely should have chosen somewhere else to go. It’s like the universe thought that this whole mess would be entertaining.

"Well, yeah he is." Zack says, eyes shifting to Leo before returning to Ethan. "But he owns a small chain of bars as well." He points to the floor, "This one included."

Ethan scoffs and then chugs the rest of his cold beer. He’s only reminded that he truly doesn’t know much about Zander at all. As if he needs that right now.

"You’re right." He clears his throat, finally turning to look at his friend. He’s putting on a brave face, at least he hopes he is. Breaking down with alcohol in his system in front of a total stranger isn’t something he wants to think about in horror while he can’t sleep in the middle of the night. It’s better to do it in private, it’s less shameful that way.

"Let’s go, Leo." He mutters. He stands up and catches sight of the man he’s often avoided watching on TV. He can’t control the way his heart squeezes in his chest, or the way his hands start to shake. He pauses, his tongue growing heavy in his mouth. He suddenly turns back to Zack and holds his hand out, hoping the alpha can’t see how nervous he really is. "Give me your phone."

Zack’s eyes widen, the piercing in his eyebrow shining. "Y-yeah!" He fumbles with his device as he pulls it out of his back pocket before passing it. Ethan can feel eyes burning into his head, but he does his best to ignore it, and quickly puts in his number and passes it back.

So what if he gives his number away, what’s the worst that could happen? Sure, Ethan doesn’t actually plan on doing anything with him, but it’s nice to have friends, right?

"Oh, fuck. Shit." Leo tugs on Ethan’s shirt, his voice high pitched with alarm. He ignores a flustered Zack, taking a step towards the door as he tries to get his friend to move with him. "We’ve got to go now."

Ethan stumbles after Leo as the omega drags him by the arm. The world tips before it straightens out, and Ethan clenches his eyes shut to steady himself. Ah, he didn’t think he drank that much. Sometimes he forgets how much of a light weight he is, especially when he’s too distracted with things that he’s forbidden himself from.

"Ethan?"

The beta freezes, his limbs locking up and causing Leo to jerk back a step. Blood rushes through his veins. How long has it been since he’s heard that deep voice? Too long, but he’d rather eat dirt than say it outloud.

"Ethan," His name breathes out like a desperate plea.

Ethan swallows, the sound only audible to Leo. The omega frowns, and he spins around on his heels, his blue eyes flaring with distaste.

"Zander! Hey!" He smiles, even as he glares at the towering man. It quickly falls as he scowls, "Why are you here? Today of all days, no less." He ends in a mutter.

Zander barely gives him a glance, though. His emerald green eyes glued to the back of the betas head. The purple ring around his iris flares, and something deep rumbles from his chest. However the sound is gone just as quick as it was heard. His gaze slowly shifts away from the back of Ethan’s neck - as if he doesn’t want to look away but is forcing himself - to Zack.

"Shouldn’t you be behind the counter, passing out drinks?" He snaps out, his voice ice cold. Goosebumps rise against Ethan’s skin and Leo gags from behind him.

The omega pinches his nose closed, his face flushing red, "Asshole, knock it off. God damn territorial animal."

Ethan presses his lips together and turns around, ignoring the way every part of his body screams with awarness.

"Ah, no one-" Zack goes to defend himself, a vein shifting along his forehead. Sweat starts to bead around hiawareness as he does his best to not let his boss’s pheromones throw him into shock. He swallows, glances back and pauses when he sees Beau there. "Ah, I should get back." He turns to Ethan and smiles, but it’s obvious to everyone how strained it is. "I’ll call you later then."

Ethan sighs and links his arm through Leo’s, "Let’s go. I’m tired now." And he’s definitely not going to answer if Zack calls him. That was just too awkward for him. Plus, he only did it after a split second decision.

Leo purses his lips, his blue eyes shifting to the figure lurking behind Ethan. "Yeah, sure-"

"You’re going to act like I’m not here?" Zander says before Ethan can take a step.

The beta stiffens, his jaw clenching. Reluctantly, he lifts his head, brown hair falling away from his face. Seeing him from up close is a lot different than seeing him from afar, the beta will admit that. He seems much more real now than he did when he was standing near the bar.

"If I had known you owned this place," Ethan begins, not bothering with a friendly greeting. Not when Zander couldn’t bother himself with it either. Not when he couldn’t even say goodbye or explain what happened. "I never would have stepped foot inside." His arm tightens around Leo’s, and he tugs his friend to start walking.

"That’s a little dramatic, isn’t it?" Beau steps up beside Zander, a teasing smile on his face. He has scruff on his face, his hands stuffed into his pant suit pockets.

Ethan doesn’t snark back at him even though he wants to. He’s not being dramatic, his feelings are totally valid, and he won’t let some hoitytoity alpha tell him otherwise.

"Beau." Zander snaps. He glares at his friend before turning back to Ethan. His green gaze slowly sweeps the beta up and down, his eyes lingering on the curve of his waist, before he finally looks him in the eyes. The purple ring around the green hues of his iris seem to glow. "You look good."

Ethan bites the inside of his cheek.

When he doesn’t say anything in return, Zander clears his throat and reaches up to rub the back of his neck. "Maybe we can talk in private?"