Page 46 of His Gentle Omega
I nodded in agreement with Asher’s statement. “Like every week. I swear he has more invested in cell phone cases than is healthy. It’s a problem.”
Shay glanced from me to Asher and back, a confused look on his face.
“Seth is my best friend and Asher’s nurse,” I explained. “You’ll probably meet him sometime.”
“Goddess help us all,” Asher muttered, though there was a fondness in his tone.
Shay gave me a questioning look and I shrugged. “Seth can be a bit over the top.”
“He’s a great nurse and I’d be lost without him, so please don’t take that the wrong way,” Asher assured us. “Anyway, I programmed in some numbers for you. Mine and Gabe’s, Alex Ortega’s office number, and Bennett’s.”
“Thank you, Asher.” Shay’s voice was quiet as he woke the screen up, but it was locked.
“Oh, yeah, I had to set a pin up,” Asher told him. “It’s your birthday. I didn’t know Lucas’s, but you can change it to whatever you want.”
“August sixteenth,” Shay swallowed hard, “that’s his birthday.”
“Well, we’ll need to mark the calendar and throw him a party.” Asher nodded, like it was a done deal, and he was already party planning. “School won’t be back in session yet, but we have a whole group of friends who have bunches of kids. He’ll make some friends this summer, I’m sure.”
Shay seemed at a loss for words, staring at the phone in his hand. I wasn’t sure what was going through his head, but it was obvious there was some significant meaning to this thoughtful gift from Asher.
It had to be hard for him to ask for help, and even harder to accept it. His reactions weren’t any different than I had seen from countless other domestic violence victims.
“Would you like a cup of coffee?” I offered Asher, giving Shay time to collect his thoughts.
“I’m hungry.” Lucas announced, shuffling into the room. His dark hair was a mess and standing on end, and he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Seeing his uncle standing there, he offered a little wave as a greeting.
Asher gave him a wave back and a smile. “Thank you, Bennett, but I’ve already had two cups. I have my travel mug in the car to get me fueled up for the day.”
Giving Shay a long look, he lowered his voice, “Call me after you meet with Alex, please. If I don’t answer, I’m with a patient,but I’ll call you back when I’m free. I want to know what the next steps are.”
Shay nodded but didn’t answer. Lucas wandered to the dining room table and plopped onto a chair, no doubt waiting for his breakfast. It had become our routine in the last week.
Asher turned to go, then spun back around, snapping his fingers. Shay flinched at the movement, and I frowned, but Asher didn’t seem to notice his brother’s reaction. “Oh, I almost forgot. Gabe said the cleaners finished at the house, and he stocked some groceries. Sheets are clean on the beds, so you can move in today if you want.”
My heart felt like it leaped out of my chest and landed in my throat. They were leaving today. Their leaving tomorrow would be bad enough, but I at least thought Shay and I would have one more night together.
Goddess, Bennett, stop your doom and gloom, my wolf huffed,the man is going to be right next door. You are acting like you’re never going to see him again. Please get a fucking grip. I don’t like this side of you.
It just feels like this is so…final. Can’t you feel it? He’s having regrets about last night, I just know it.
Stop being paranoid,my wolf grumbled, but he didn’t deny he was feeling something too.
“That’s…wonderful news,” I chirped, way more cheerfully than I felt.
“I’m sure you’ll be glad to get your house back, Bennett,” Asher grinned at me. “I’m not sure I can ever properly thank you for what you’ve done for my family.”
Shay’s wide eyes searched mine, and I could read all his emotions like I was reading a book. Fear, hope, regret, indecision.
“I would have done it for anyone,” I said softly, unable to tear my gaze from Shay’s anxious one.
The words were an absolute lie. I would never have done what I had for any random patient in the hospital. Not even one in need. I would assess the situation and find them the resources they needed to help them.
With one touch I had seen what my future could be, and there was no way in hell I wasn’t going to make sure my fated and his child were safe. And near me. Yeah, that last part played hugely in my decision-making skills last week.
But I wasn’t about to tell Asher that. It was bad enough standing here in my pajamas, wondering if he could tell there was something going on between his brother and me. Could he tell we had had sex? Worse, could he smell it and was too polite to comment? Ew, I didn’t want to think about that possibility. I would never be able to look Asher in the eye again.
Lucas dropped his head to the table dramatically, tired of all the grown-up talk going on around him. “I’m starving, Bennett. Can I please have my breakfast?” he whined.
