Page 17 of A Home for His Omega

“You don’t know about Columbo? It was popular in the seventies.”

Henry side eyed him. “How do you know about it? You’re younger than me.”

“One of the few memories I have of my abuelo is watching reruns of the show with him. I don’t even remember what’s it’s about. I just remember sitting on his lap and trying not to fall asleep so I could spend more time with him.”

“How long did you have him?” Henry asked, voice full of tenderness.

“Until I was five. Abuelo and Abuela died in a car accident, I went into foster care.”

“Fuck off.”

“Woof.”

“Woof.”

“Bad timing, guys,” Henry mumbled, making Tomás laugh.

“To be honest, he reminds me of Abuelo, grumpy on the outside, and tired and in pain on the inside. Still sweet though.”

Henry laughed. “I think we need to watch Columbo. What was it about again?”

Tomás shrugged. “An old guy named Columbo.”

“Yeah, we need to watch it. Tonight?”

“Sure. The only night I can’t be with you this week is Saturday. My younger siblings are coming over for a movie night sleep over. We watch movies and they camp out in the living room all night.”

“It’s great you like spending time with them.” Henry leaned back against him. “Audrey and I spent time together since we’re close in age, but Sterling didn’t know what to do with us. You should see him try to comfort one of us when we’re upset. He’s all awkward hugs and weird head pats.”

“They won’t let me be awkward.” Tomás grinned. “Half the time, they’re the ones making sure I feel loved. Like I’m the only one at prom without a date, so I need all their support. If I didn’t like you so much, I’d make you come too. They’d be all over you. Hannah and Drew are home from college on spring break, so it’ll be them, Tali, Terry, and Nate.”

Henry leaned back and cupped Tomás’s face. “Aww, you’re such a good big brother. What are you watching?”

“All the Shrek movies since Nate is just five. It was that or Frozen and Frozen II for the hundredth time. Those were the only options I was given.”

Henry chuckled. “Enjoy it. Didn’t you say Tali was graduating high school this year? Then she’ll go off to college too and you’ll only have Terry and Nate to sleep over with their big brother.”

Tomás winced. “Tali and college are not topics you want to bring up together right now.”

“Uh-oh.”

“Papa and Dad want her to at least try college, but she has her heart set on running the ranch with Dad.”

“Can’t she take classes online and do both?” Henry asked.

“She could, but they want her to have the whole college experience. Honestly, Tali knows what she wants. There’s no point in trying to change her mind. Plus, Dad loves working with her. I think it’s mostly Papa that worries about it.”

Henry frowned. “Are they really disappointed in her?”

Tomás leaned down and kissed Henry softly. “Not at all. They’ll accept and support her decision in the end. They just have to work through it first.”

“Good. Papa was furious when I refused to go to college. He didn’t talk to me for months. Dad didn’t say anything. It was like he knew I wasn’t good enough anyway.”

Tomás scowled. His omegas parents had done a number on him, knowingly or not. “I’m sure you would have been just fine if you chose to go.”

“Sterling and Audrey graduated top of their classes.” Henry pressed his cheek to Tomás’s chest. “I wouldn’t have been able to do that.”

“All you can do is be the best you. You don’t have to compete with anyone.”

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