Page 29 of Choosing Me

We turn back to the others. Gunther is here with his mate and their daughter, sitting at a table as she nibbles on a teething toy. The family life might not be for me but these two seemed to be made for it. They look so happy and in turn, that makesmehappy for them.

Jeremy and Bryce are sat hip to hip, looking at Harrison and Derek expectantly, waiting for their big news just like the rest of us. Bryce puts his arm around Jeremy, like he can’t seem to keep his hands off of his mate. Jeremy turns and kisses Bryce’s cheek. I look away, not wanting to intrude in their cute little moment.

Ben and Ryder are sitting next to each other. They have their heads close together, whispering about something but have stopped in order to listen to the men of the hour.

I feel so complete here, surrounded by these people with Calvin by my side. It seems love is in the air lately and I’m grateful for it. I’m glad the love bug came crawling and decided to bite us in the asses. I’m even more grateful Calvin decided to take a chance on us. We might not be the traditional omega and alpha pairing but what we have is real and works for us, that’s all that matters.

I hate to be that guy butdamndo I love him.

“Promise me we’ll never be that gross couple that makeseveryonein the room know we’re together,” Calvin whispers in my ear and I put my hand over my mouth, keeping back a giggle.

“If you wanted we could go the other direction and start a massive fight.”

“Eh, sounds like too much work. And I don’t wanna take away from their moment. Maybe next time.”

“So that’s a no to fucking on the table then?”

Calvin elbows me, letting out a snort. “That sounds likeliteralwork, dude.”

“I offer my services free of charge,” I whisper back, both of us chuckling.

“Alright, I’m sure you’re all wondering what it is we’re celebrating tonight,” Derek says, pulling everyone’s attention back to himself. With his arm around Harrison’s shoulders, he looks at Christopher. When Christopher gives a nod, he goes on. “Harrison and I are growing our family,” he announces with the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on his face. “And Christopher has agreed to help. He’s our surrogate omega and currently carrying our baby.”

“Oh my god!” Jeremy lets out, standing up right away and somehow managing to engulf all three of them into a hug. “I’m so happy for you. This is such wonderful news.”

We all take turns passing out hugs, congratulating the couple on this new step. I’m glad they could find a surrogate as cool as Christopher. I haven’t been able to get to know him as much as I’d like but from what I can tell he’s a feisty little omega who sasses anyone he talks to but is secretly a sweetheart around his friends.

“It’s a shame Parker couldn’t make it,” Ryder says after giving Harrison a hug.

“Where is this new alpha who I haven’t even gotten to meet yet,” Christopher asks, crossing his arms over his chest.

“His rut is here,” Jeremy says with a shrug.

All the alphas in the room nod along, giving noises of understanding. Christopher gives a bit of a pout before sighing. “Fine, Iguessthat’s an acceptable excuse.”

“You haven’t met him yet?” Calvin asks with a raised brow.

“Not yet. Every time I come into the office to bug you guys or bother the bosses he’s not working.”

“Next time we do a company get together I’ll make sure you’re both there,” Jeremy says with a wide smile. “I think you’ll love him just as much as everyone else.”

“We’ll see,” Christopher says with a smirk. “Ben’s told me a thing or two already.”

“He has?” Ryder asks, looking between Christopher and Ben.

Ben shrugs. “You know I tell him about the antics you assholes get into at work.”

Ryder sticks out his pierced bottom lip for a moment and I already know what’s coming. At this point I think everyone here knows what’s coming. “Well,” Ryder says with a sigh. “If you are what you eat.”

“You’re the worst,” Christopher says with a wrinkled nose. “I’m so glad Ben is my roommate and not you.”

In response, Ryder sticks out his tongue before ruffling Christopher’s hair and running away. “You can’t chase me, you’repregnant.”

The look on Ben’s face is strangely fond and not for the first time I find myself wondering if there’ssomethinggoing on between those two. Thankfully, I’m pulled from really thinking too much into that relationship by the arrival of pizza and pitchers of beers.

“Hey, Wilson?”

I look over at Calvin, whispering back, “yeah?”

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