Page 117 of Omega's Secret Guardian

“You could’ve called or something,” Tripp muttered at the floor. “You had phones there.”

Storm sighed. “From prison? I didn’t want to disappoint any of you. Or lie. Or hear ‘I told you so’s. Or...” He wet his lips. “I was afraid that none of you would want to talk to me again. Hell, it was difficult enough making the trip here.”

Dad frowned. “From prison? You can’t have come straight from there.”

Mom glanced past them, at Storm’s bike across the street. “That’s not your old bike.”

Storm blushed. “No, I... traded it in for something bigger.”

In his heart of hearts, he had hoped for Linus to be his passenger. And so he had sold his old bike to buy one that could seat both of them.

“Where did you get the money for that?” Mom asked.

“I borrowed from a few friends.” The Brotherhood was happy to chip in. “Plus, I had a job waiting for me after prison.”

Dad’s eyebrows crawled up. “You had a job lined up? Even as an ex-con?”

At that, Tripp turned reluctantly to look at Storm.

“What did I say about borrowing money from your friends?” Mom frowned and swatted Storm’s arm.

“They’re richer than me,” Storm said. “And older. They don’t mind.”

“What job is it? How did you manage that?” Dad asked.

Was now the right time to mention Linus? Storm’s heart skipped. “I’m a programmer. I enrolled in college when I was in prison, graduated from it. Computer science. One of my friends pulled some strings to get me an interview.” At their surprised stares, Storm continued, “There were some grants and scholarships available to inmates. Hell, if I had been smarter about it, I would’ve aimed to get into jail for that free education.”

Linus groaned. “Oh gods. Storm. No.”

Mom and Dad’s attention snapped onto him.

“Who are you?” Mom asked, scrutinizing Linus.

Dad rolled his eyes. “Storm’s omega, obviously.”

“You’re much older than Storm,” Mom said.

Storm frowned. “He is, but don’t blame him for that. It’s my choice to pursue him.”

“How do you know each other?” Mom asked suspiciously.

Linus blushed. “I was Storm’s professor.”

“He was. He’s really smart. And don’t you dare suggest that I started courting him for the grades,” Storm said to Mom, who froze guiltily. Because she was totally going to say it. “He didn’t even know I existed untilafterI graduated and got the job.”

“Well, I knew you on a different website, unrelated to college,” Linus said dryly. Then he turned awkwardly to Storm’s parents. “I apologize for my rudeness. I should have introduced myself earlier. I’m Linus Bentham, a computer science professor at Meadowfall College.”

“Dr.Linus Bentham,” Storm purred. Then he coughed and lowered his voice. “I’m probably the only one here who finds that hot.”

Linus winced and whispered back, “Not in front of your parents!”

“Hey, you’re my omega. I’m allowed to think you’re hot.”

Linus ignored Storm and gave his parents a quick bow. “Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

Tripp was staring at them, his mouth hanging open. He was starting to look a little betrayed.

“I’m Dan, and this is Cora,” Dad said, gesturing to each of them. “And that’s Storm’s younger brother, Tripp.”

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