Page 38 of The Surrogate Omega, Part One

“I would like both of you to be there the first time as well. After that, I don’t mind.”

Ev kisses Lake. “Perfect, sweetheart. That’s what we will do. Do you plan to go back home when you’re done tonight?”

I frown, really hating that idea. It’s already nearly 8:30, and Lake clearly isn’t close to being done for the night. I know he’s a grown ass man and capable, but just the thought of him traveling back to Jersey at some godsforsaken hour sets me on edge.

“No. I probably won’t be done till the middle of the night, and there will be no more buses going. I’ll probably sleep in the office.”

I like that only slightly more than the original idea. “Ev’s place is only ten minutes from here. Would you be interested in crashing at his apartment for the night? I have to imagine it’s more comfortable than your office.”

Lake’s eyes narrow. “It’s going to be very late.”

I step up and wrap my arms around both men. Man, do they fit perfectly. “We’ll wait for you, Little Bird.”

His face lights up. “Really? You would do that?”

“Absolutely, Lake,” I say, kissing the topping of his head.

“Just let me know when you’re on your way, ok, sweetheart? I’ll send you my address.”

Lake seems happy and relaxed in my arms and I love it. “I do have to leave. You can’t come into the building, but would you at least walk that way with me? I don’t want to separate from you two yet.”

My smile is huge, and I can practically feel Ev’s contentment as he replies, “Good, sweetheart, because we feel the same way.”

TWENTY

EVANDER

“You sure you don’t want to keep playing?” Logan asks me, holding out a Switch controller.

I blink sleepily at him. “Nah, I’m exhausted. You can keep playing on your own.”

Logan nods and changes the settings onSuper Smash Brothersso he’s playing against the NPCs instead. I haven’t played games in years, so I really enjoyed this time I had with Logan while trying to stay up and wait for Lake. We pulled out all the updated versions of the games from my childhood:Mario Kart,Mario Party, and nowSuper Smash Brothers. But it’s way past my bedtime now, and I just can’t do it anymore.

It’s a little after 2 am and I’m struggling to stay awake. Logan’s used to working overnight, so he’s still going strong. I, on the other hand, am feeling like an old man that can’t hang with the kids anymore, but I don’t want to crash and miss Lake’s message.

Logan glances over at me where I’m now lying down on half the couch, my feet resting on Logan’s lap, completely wrapped in a blanket. “Babe, why don’t you sleep for a bit? I’ll keep an eye out for Lake.”

“I don’t want him to walk here by himself. I’m going to order him an Uber when he says he’s ready. I’d offer for us to go meet him, but I don’t think he’s ready for that yet.”

Logan smiles affectionately at me. “Such a caretaker.” My cheeks flush. He’s not wrong; it always makes me happy to look after the people I care about. Logan pauses the game and rubs my leg before pulling out his phone.

“I’ll message him and tell him to tell us when he’s about ready to leave and we’ll order him an Uber. You get some sleep. I’ll look out for him.”

“Thanks, baby.” Logan grins at the nickname. I have no idea where it came from, but in my sleepy state, it just seems right.

I can’t hang on any longer, and before I realize it, my eyes are closed and I’m in a deep sleep on the couch. I don’t wake up until Logan’s phone buzzes and I feel him heave himself up and walk to the front door.

The door opens, and I manage to open my eyes in time to see Logan lean in and kiss the top of Lake’s head. “Hi, Little Bird. Did everything work out ok with whatever you were working on?”

I sit up on the couch and check the time. 2:45 am. Jeez. It feels like I’ve been asleep for hours, but it’s really only been less than 45 minutes.

Poor Lake seems exhausted and frustrated. “I have to go back in tomorrow morning. I insisted my boss call it for the night, though. Everything is stable for now, and my team and I are going to make mistakes if we’re too tired to focus.”

I walk over to my stressed-out man and wrap my arms around him. “Smart. C’mon, let’s get you to bed. Like you said, you need some rest before you have to go back.”

“Ok.” He jostles the travel bag he’s wearing over his shoulder. “I keep a change of clothes and some hygiene products at work for situations like this. Do you mind if I just freshen up a bit?”

“Of course, sweetheart.” I guide him to the bathroom and point out the bedroom for when he’s done so he can meet us in there. His eyes widen in surprise, and I’m wondering if he thought he’d be sleeping on the couch.

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