The staring contest between James and Ethan shattered when Nelson leaned forward, elbows on the counter, a mocking grin spreading across his face.
“So you work in this restaurant… a chicken restaurant,” Nelson drawled, emphasizing the word like it was the punchline to a joke. “Fitting, huh? Cluck cluck, little omega.”
The rest of the group—Silver, Jake, Silas—burst into laughter, slapping the counter and each other’s shoulders. Only James stayed silent. His eyes never left Ethan. He watched the way Ethan’s throat bobbed when he swallowed, the faint tremor in his fingers as he gripped the edge of the order pad. Something tight coiled in James’s chest—something he didn’t want to name.
Ethan ducked his head, cheeks flushing. “Welcome to Sweet Chicken Place,” he said quietly, forcing the re
