Page 328 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus
“Yeah?” I ask, trying to keep my tone light.
“I wanted to thank you. That day when you knocked the hell out of me and then made me listen to Mallory’s heartbeat...” He sighs, shaking his head. “It hit in a way I couldn’t ignore. It made it real. Melody also told me you were the one who texted to make sure I knew she was in labor.”
I nod.
I’m still not fond of the guy, but I’m pretty sure he reminds me a little of myself at that age. Only I was smart enough not to drag someone else along for the ride. Although at this point, I can also recognize that without him pulling all that shit, we wouldn’t have Melody or Mallory.
“You’ve been doing well,” I say, shaking the ice in Mel’s cup. “Keep showing up and doing your best. That’s all we ask.”
“I will,” he says, holding out a hand.
I need to get Mel her drink, so I shake his hand, heading off without another word.
Chapter Forty-Four
Melody
“Can I talk to you before we head out?” Ben asks, taking a seat on the chair next to the couch. Ben and his mom have been here for almost a week visiting, but they’re leaving in a couple hours. “Yeah,” I agree, grabbing the blanket and covering up Mallory.
I wait for him to make some kind of ridiculous joke likeI’ve seen them before,but he keeps his eyes on mine.
“I know it would have been easier if you never told me that she was mine,” Ben says, swallowing thickly. “Thank you for being honest. You’ve always been too good?—”
“Stop,” I cut him off.
“You know it. I know it. It’s the truth, Mel. I’m really glad you found a pack that treats you right.” Ben sighs, stretching back in his chair.
“Thank you, I am too. I got really lucky.” I watch him carefully. Spending ten years with someone you learn to pick up the clues, and something is definitely bothering him.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, pulling Mallory off my breast.
“Can I burp her?” he asks, leaning forward.
I nod, handing her over.
Ben gets her settled in his hands. “Have you talked to your mom at all?”
“No, she hasn’t answered any of my calls. I know she’s angry with me.” I get my boob put away and shrug. “Oliver hired a companion, and he said she has been allowing him to help out.”
“That’s something at least,” Ben says, patting Mallory’s back. “My mom is also going to check in on her when we get back. I still can’t believe she didn’t want to come meet Mallory.”
I give him a look because we both know how spiteful my mom can be. I’m not going to purposely exclude her, but I’ve also decided that I can’t let her emotionally and physically drain me anymore.
“She is a little like a happiness vampire,” Ben says, grimacing.
“Anyway,” I say, trying to move this conversation along. It still hurts when I think of my mom, but she used up all my compassion. I officially have none left, and I don’t feel guilty about that.
Oliver’s blond curls bounce as he peeks around the wall. I give him a smile, and he comes in taking the seat at my side. He wraps a long, thin arm around me, and I snuggle into his chest.
“What happened to your girlfriend?” I ask Ben.
Ben frowns, sighing heavily. “We’re on a break. You know, I think I would have done it—signed the papers I mean. I told her I was seriously thinking about it, and Heidi was pissed.”
My chest gets tight. Mallory would’ve been okay with only having our pack, but I know Ben and his family have a right to her too. Oliver runs his fingers over my arm soothing me.
“She basically told me that was an option. The other option was to get my shit together and be a man...” He laughs, shaking his head. “That’s what made me head out to North Carolina. I needed to get right with Luke.”
“Did you?” I ask.
