Page 145 of Finding the Forward: Part Two
I hated that question. That look.
“My research is proprietary, but I assure you, Compass BioTek has uses for it.” I wiggled my hand with the ring Grif and Dean had given me, making sure they got a good look. I turned to AJ. “Kylee took Grif. Should we go find him?”
“We should. With you two being freshly bonded, you should stay close. Mama, Mum, I’ll see you later.” He took my arm.
“See you later, Iksander,” the shorter mom said.
“Thank you.” Relief coated him as we left.
“You’re quite welcome.” I squeezed his hand. “Iksander?”
“What did you think the A in AJ was for?” he chuckled. “Only they call me that. I feel more like an AJ or Alex, anyway.”
Iksanderwasa form of Alexander. That seemed just like him, many names for the many parts of him—and keeping everyone guessing as to which was the real him.
“What’s the J?” I asked.
“Jameson. Family name on one of the dads’ sides. What’s your middle name?” he asked as we walked through the throng.
“Noémi Fayrouz. I have two because Mama and Baba gave me the names they’d always wanted for daughters. Veritywas something they decided on together to fit the whole virtue name theme Dad wanted for all us kids,” I explained. Both hoped I’d go by one of those middle names instead, but I liked being Verity.
We found Grif posing for pictures and talking to a bunch of kids who were probably all in the Squire program. We found a seat near and watched, content to not chat with strangers.
“He’s going to make such a great dad,” I whispered as we watched Grif sign some autographs.
AJ nodded and squeezed my hand. “He will. Dean, however, will be the overindulgent dad that never saysno.”
“I was thinking it would be Jonas.” I grinned.
He thought for a moment. “I can see that. We’re fucked.”
I laughed. All four of them would make great dads one day.
The doors opened for dinner. Already, I was ready to go home instead of making small talk with people I didn’t know. AJ wouldgladlygo back with me if I asked, but I should at least eat so I didn’t appear rude.
“I’m going to run to the restroom,” I told him. Giving him a little kiss, only partially because one of his mothers, and a large man that was probably one of his dads, watched us. I left to find the restroom.
When I came out, the crowd in the atrium had thinned as people made their way into the ballroom for dinner.
“Ver, can we talk?” Freddie leaned against the wall, alone, like he’d been waiting for me.
“I guess?” If it came to it, I’d hit him with my crutch the way AJ taught me.
“Not here.” Freddie led me to a patio off the atrium that was used for smoking. Given the cold, no one was out here, even with the heat lamp.
There was only one way in and out from the atrium. The patio had a low fence around it with a little gate and looked out onto what could be a small garden, but was hard to see in the darkness. A couple of bistro tables and chairs occupied it.
“What do you want, Freddie?” I leaned on my crutch, not having the energy for this.
He sighed and for a moment, he looked like the weight of the world was on his shoulders. “I wanted to apologize for being so awful to you when you became an alpha.”
“Oh. Thank you. You made it seem like I was hiding things from you. I’d always been forthright about my designation.” It was cold out here and I wasn’t wearing a wrap or long gloves, only my thin scarf, which was more for decoration. I moved closer to the heater.
“I know. With you basically being a beta, we were on even footing. When you awakened as an alpha, the power shifted, and it wasn’t something I wanted in a permanent relationship. But I could have handled things better,” he told me.
Permanent? It was hard not to snort. There was never any understanding of it being long-term. He was fun, but not someone I’d spend forever with.
“It would especially have been nice if you hadn’t tried to wreck my reputation. Or encouraged people to be mean to me. I didn’t try to get Coach fired. Just like not going pro wasn’t my choice.” So much hurt and emotion flowed through my voice.
