Page 50 of Knot Our Reality

I clear my throat. “You said your parents have been fostering children? My parents do the same. They just have so much love to give, and they weren’t able to have as many kids as they would’ve liked.”

“Same with mine. I don’t think I’ve met anyone else who’s had a family like mine. Are they still actively fostering? Mine have slowed down since they’re getting older, but they’ll never turn down a child in need.”

I nod. “They do. Right now, they have a set of siblings staying with them. One of them is almost old enough to age out, and I know she’s been worried about not being able to see her little sister, but they’ve been assured that she’ll have a place in their home for as long as she wants—no matter her age. Which I assured her is true since I stayed with them for a while after losing my pack.”

The smile falls off his face as he nods. “I can’t imagine it was an easy time for you, especially with two young boys. It’s good you had them.”

“I don’t know where I’d be without my parents. They’ve always been super supportive.”

We talk for a little while about growing up in a family like ours before I ask him about why he’s willing to take on me and my growing family.

He just shakes his head. “Who wouldn’t be?”

And I don’t know how to answer him. He says it so simply that it’s hard to argue with him.

There are a ton of people in the world who wouldn’t be willing to take on a pregnant omega fighting in court for the right to keep her unborn child—to keep him from being raised by his mother’s rapist. Who wouldn’t be willing to raise another man’s child if said man isn’t part of their pack.

While many people are good, there are just as many who aren’t.

“Thank you,” I finally say.

“No thanks are necessary,” is his response before it’s time to wrap up our initial meeting. With a brush of his lips against my knuckles, he joins the twins.

Then, it’s time to meet my last suitor.

I immediately recognize him as Paxton Wynter—ex-lead guitarist for Avenge. Gerald and Maxwell were huge fans of theirs.

I also know he was forced to leave the second season ofHeatedafter being caught with drugs. It had been all over the papers after the season aired. He’d been cut from the band shortly after, but I have no idea what he’s been up to since then.

Bree and Tessa wouldn’t have allowed him back on if he wasn’t clean, so I’m not overly worried about that. As I told Dylan, I think everyone deserves a second chance—as long as they’re trying. That doesn’t mean I won’t be cautious around him.

Paxton has always been hot. His dirty blond hair is tousled and I can see hints of his tattoos sticking out from his tuxedo. He doesn’t look as thin as he used to—probably a side effect of his drug use—but I think he looks better like this. The added weight on his not quite six foot tall stature makes him look healthier. His skin isn’t as pale as it was before, a nice tan gracing his body.

He approaches slowly, face somber—as if waiting for me to tell him to get out. I don’t like it. Not one bit.

“Hello, Paxton.” I hold my hand out to him as hints of his spice-filled scent hit me.

His lip turns up at one corner as he shakes my hand. “Hi, Emilia. It’s nice to meet you.”

“And you.” I pause, waiting to see if he’ll say anything else, but when he remains silent, I blurt out, “Two of my old pack mates were huge fans of yours when you were in Avenge.”

The half-smile immediately falls. “I’m glad, but that’s behind me now. As are the drugs, in case you were wondering.”

I shrug. “I wasn’t planning to bring it up just yet, but that’s good to know.”

He sighs, running a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry. I usually find it’s best to just get that part over with. I’m a little over two years sober.”

“That’s amazing news. I’m sure it wasn’t easy, depending on how long you’d been using.”

“It was far from easy, and I had a few setbacks, which is why I’m only at just over two years. But I’m determined to live my life sober.” He shakes his head. “It wasn’t a good time in my life. I’m ashamed I allowed myself to get swept up in it all and started using in the first place. Even more ashamed at how long I used for. It’s left its mark on me, but I’m a better man for getting sober.”

“It doesn’t matter when you realized you had a problem or what made you realize it. What matters is that you sought help. No, I don’t care that you were forced into rehab. If you didn’t want to be sober, you wouldn’t be—no matter how many times you were strong-armed into going to rehab.” I offer him a smile. “I know you were let go from the band. What have you been doing with yourself since then?”

Paxton blinks at me a few times, almost as if he doesn’t believe my words. “Mostly focusing on staying sober. The owner of the recording company Avenge is with reached out to me earlier in the year to check on me and offer me an opportunity. I’ve been working on a solo album. It’s almost finished, but we put a hold on it so I could come onHeated.”

“Oh, that’s terrible. I hate that you had to pause recording to come on, but I’m glad you’re here.”

“I don’t mind, and neither did the studio. I love music, and I’m enjoying getting to write and record again, but I don’t want music to be my entire life. I want a pack and a family. I can’t find that just sitting in a recording studio, can I?”

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