The Rejected Omega and his Alpha

Chapter Eight - Sunday Night Football

I wake up around nine in the morning, my body feeling wrung out and sluggish. My morning routine helps me slough off the strange feeling, although not completely. Once I'm finished I go to the closet, debating what to wear before landing on a royal blue polo and some khaki shorts. I looked like one of those rich snobs about to board his private boat, but Derek's friends were coming and I wanted to make a good first impression.

I had just entered the kitchen, thinking about what to make for breakfast, when Derek comes padding into the room, looking like roadkill. His eyes were red-rimmed and dark circles surrounded them, with heavy bags lying underneath. He sat down at the island with a groan, not really saying anything. I decide to be the bigger person and greet him, hoping to ease the tension.

"Good morning." He drags his hands across his face and looks at me, eyes squinted.

"Mornin. Can you pass me the coffee? I feel like shit. Probably look like it too."

"Just a little bit," I said, passing him a cup of coffee and he snorts, shaking his head.

"I guess I deserve that. Thanks for dinner last night by the way. I'm sorry I was gone for so long. I was at the gym for a couple of hours, then Sarah texted me..."

Oh. I really wanted to know what she said to him if it brought him to drink as much as he did. "Right... do you want breakfast at all? I was about to make pancakes, eggs, and bacon." It's a shame he didn't have a waffle maker, but I like pancakes as well.

"Yeah, that sounds good." He takes a few sips of his coffee, staring down at it as if he just found out his dog died.

"Listen, can we talk? About what happened yesterday?" Ah, there it is, the elephant in the room. I nod my head and got started on breakfast, pulling out everything I need and starting the stovetop so the pans could get hot. "We probably should talk about it."
"I just want to say I'm sorry. Seeing that asshole so close to you, I got jealous. It didn't help the fact that he was younger and good looking too.

"I told you that I would try not to be too possessive, but I haven't been doing a very good job of that, have I?
"No, not really," I said curtly, but then instantly regretted it. He was trying at least.
"I definitely deserved that. Sarah also told me about... how you felt through it all."
"How much did she say?"
"She said enough for me to realize that you're really struggling, and making me realize that I haven't been the best partner as I should've been."

"It's only been two days. We're still learning how to interact with each other. I haven't been the best partner either. You look at me and touch me with so much love behind them that... I'm worried you got the short end of the stick." He looked at me like I suddenly grew a third head.
"Why would you think that?" I explain to him about the five love languages and what they mean, but she only shakes his head at me.

"You seriously think you are the exception? Don't seek yourself too short. I'm pretty sure you fall into the category of Physical Touch too, maybe even the other one," he puts his hand to his head and starts massaging it, then snaps his fingers when he remembers. "Acts of kindness, right? I didn't ask you to clean the house or cook me breakfast. You offered. I dunno about you, but that sounds a little bit like love to me."

I'm speechless, focusing my attention on getting the remainder of breakfast ready while I contemplate what he said. Is it really my expression of love, or is it just me being nice and fulfilling my duty as an Omega? I guess only time will tell. I make two plates and hesitantly, join Derek sitting at the island. He tenses but doesn't move.

"Can I kiss you good morning? It's okay if you say no, but it'll make me feel better." I nod and he kisses me gently on the cheek. "Good morning, Damon."
"Good morning, Derek." Things have been rough, but I'm starting to believe in what Sarah said last night. 'Things will get worse before they get better.'