Page 18 of True for You

Chapter Ten

Christopher

“This feels weird,”I murmur under my breath to Parker, our steps falling into sync as we make our way over to the pavilion in the park.

“Why weird?”

“I don’t know. I just don’t think this should be a day to celebratemeat all.”

Parker takes my hand, lacing our fingers together. I feel the corner of my lips pull up into a grin. The novelty of getting to hold Parker’s hand is far from losing its shine. Part of me hopes I never stop feeling such wonder, even after years of being mated in the future. He squeezes my hand, bumping our hips together as we walk.

“I’m not sure how you missed this, baby, but you’re kind of a big deal. Without you there’d be no baby for the baby shower at all. Of course they’re gonna include you and make you feel special too.”

I stick out my bottom lip. Parker is right because of course he is. That doesn’t make the weirdness welling up inside of me that’s making me feel out of place go away. “Whatever,” I murmur to myself, shoving my hip against Parker’s hard enough to make him stumble, making both of us chuckle.

“It’s not about you,” Parker says, somehow knowing how I’m feeling. “We’re celebrating this baby growing inside of you. So it might feel like all eyes are on you, but just know it’s because of the pup.”

I nod my head. “Thanks. That actually helps.”

Parker leads down, kissing the side of my head. God, I absolutely adore this alpha. With his giant heart, his touchy tendencies, and pretty brown eyes. Someday we’ll be walking together into a baby shower that’s all about us and the family we’re creating. Yes, we only just met but I can already tell that’s exactly where we’re heading. I have no doubts about that.

Love doesn’t always need time. Sometimes it latches on straight away, growing and blooming and filling in every crack inside someone’s heart until it overflows and spills out all over. I might not have said the words yet but I feel it growing inside me, I can see it in the way Parker smiles at me, or the way he goes out of his way to make me happy. The best part? We’re only getting started.

“Christopher!”

I’m brought out of my inner musing by Ryder running over to me and catching me into a tight hug. “Hey,” I murmur, smiling so wide my cheeks hurt.

“Glad you’re here. Would you mind?” He looks sheepish as he asks, his scent going all marshmallowy around the edges. For an omega who looks so fucking dark and emo, Ryder is thebiggestsoftie. That eyeliner and those piercings can’t fool me.

I roll my eyes good naturedly, though in all honesty I don’t mind in the slightest. “Go ahead,” I tell him, putting my hands on my hips and out of the way. Ryder’s hands go to my belly. His face completely transforms, his eyes going all soft, a smile stretching across his pierced lips.

“Hey there, cutie pie,” he murmurs, talking to my belly. “I can’t wait until you’re out of Christopher so I can hold you and give you smooches and teach you all about your daddies.”

“You’re adorable,” I tell him, flicking one of his gauges just to see the offended look he gives me, like I’ve somehow committed the worst crime known to mankind.

“Ben!” Ryder yells, his hands still planted on either side of my belly. “Your roommate’s bullying me again!”

Ben looks over, his brows raised like he’s going to yell something back but then he pauses, seeing Ryder touching my belly. He gets a look that makes my stomach sink before he’s putting on an easy smile. He’s always been good at that; hiding whatever’s actually going on inside that head of his. Maybe someday these two will get their shit together and talk whatever this thing going on between them out. Or maybe they’ll just decide to kill each other. Either way I’ll finally get to stop worrying about them.

“Be nice to my roommate,Ryder! He’s pregnant.”

I stick out my tongue as Ryder looks even more betrayed than he did before. He goes back to talking to my belly, really putting on a dramatic show for me. “This isn’t fair, little one. It’s you and me against the world apparently.”

The only way I could describe the look in Ryder’s eyes right now would be to say it’s wistful and longing. My heart goes out to him. Baby fever is hard. Baby fever while you’re pining? Even harder.

“We should head over to the party,” Parker says, putting his hand on my lower back.

I let out a dramatic groan, one to rival even Ryder. “If we must.”

“Oh my god,” Ryder cries out, his voice giddy. “I felt them kick. They kicked me. They love me. I’m their favorite honorary uncle.”

“Whatever you tell yourself to sleep at night,” Parker says, making Ryder pout. If he keeps giving everyone that look his face might just get stuck like that. Or that’s what my mom used to say when I was a pup at least.

“There you are,” Derek calls out once he sees us, waving us over. Parker and I walk towards him hand in hand. Having him beside me makes me feel less in the spotlight and a little less awkward. I adore him for that.

“Here I am! Now the party can really get started. When are we chugging beers through a baby bottle or drawing snarky shit onto the front of diapers?”

Harrison tilts his head to the side, his brows wrinkled. “What the fuck? What sorta baby showers have you gone to?”

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