by Beau Brown
“If it bothers me, I can always wait down the street at Starbucks.”
“I think it’s going to make more sense if you stay here today. Use the house as your home base. If Nance can fix the car, great. If not, you’ll be more comfortable here. And so will everyone else.”
Alex put down his fork to meet Ross’s gaze. “I’m not ashamed of this baby. I know it makes some folks uncomfortable to see a pregnant man, but that’s their problem, not mine.”
“I’m not in disagreement with you on that,” Ross said. “But this is a conservative part of the country, and an unwed mother would face the same bias. Your fathers are well known in this community, and the fact that you’re unclaimed and unmarried is common knowledge.”
“People should mind their own business.”
After a moment, Ross shrugged. “Up to you. If you want to sit in the Starbucks or in that front office with everyone on main street walking past and looking in, it’s okay by me. I just think you’d be more comfortable here where you can put your feet up and rest if you need to.”
Alex’s face heated with irritation and embarrassment. Ross was right. He would be more comfortable here. His condition was largely unknown in Sweet Water, not least because he hated the idea of being the poster boy for male unclaimed pregnancy. Sitting in Starbucks or Nance’s little office with those huge plate glass windows would be a lot like sitting in a cage at the zoo waiting for someone to throw him a peanut. At the same time, the idea that people were judging him—that Ross was judging him—irritated the hell out of him. He wanted to shove his big, pregnant belly right in their self-righteous faces.
But the best thing for the baby, for Reid, was that he hang out here at the farmhouse and stay cool and calm while he waited for his car to be fixed.
“Okay. You’re right,” Alex said.
Ross looked relieved. He hastily finished his breakfast, as though afraid Alex might change his mind—or maybe he just couldn’t wait to get away from the nefarious baby maker of Sweet Water—put his dirty dishes in the sink, and told Alex he’d call to check in with him later that morning.
Actually, what he first said was “check up on him,” but when Alex opened his mouth, Ross amended it.
“Sure. Have a good day,” Alex had said, by way of farewell, and even that had seemed to stump Ross.
“You too,” he said, after a hesitation.
Maybe he was afraid common courtesy might be interpreted as tacit support for Alex. He could relax. Alex knew Ross disliked, well, everything about Alex’s situation. It hurt and it made him angry, but he wasn’t surprised really. It was not like he was being completely honest or forthcoming. But he shouldn’t have to be to have the support of his friends and family.
A predicament like this taught you who your real friends were.
After Ross’s SUV departed in a spray of mud, Alex washed the breakfast dishes and cleaned up the kitchen. Not that there was so much to clean. Ross seemed to live on frozen dinners eaten straight out of their plastic trays. Alex gave the table and counters and sink a good scrub that left everything shining in the tentative morning light.
He liked big old-fashioned kitchens like this one. He liked the whole house. It was just like he imagined it would be, only needing a bit of love and care to bring it back to its former glory. It was a house intended to be a home—a home for a big family. But Ross didn’t show much sign of moving in that direction. There were always rumors about who he might be seeing—for a long time the gossips had whispered about Ross and Sweet Water Fire Captain James Wray, but Alex had never believed there was anything more than friendship going on there. The two men were too much alike.
Back in the day, Alex had paid way too much attention to Ross McClintock’s social life. That had been the other reason he had figured going away to college was a good idea. When he’d been seventeen, he’d been naïve enough to think Ross might eventually claim him for his own. He’d misread that twinkle in Ross’s eyes for a feeling special to him. But by the time he was in his twenties, he’d realized that was all wishful thinking. If Ross thought of him at all, it was as a cute little pest. Ross had never taken him seriously.
Which was still preferable to the way Ross saw him now.
Anyway. It was silly to be pleased that there were no signs Ross had any regular sleepover guests, but Alex couldn’t help noticing. He also noticed that Ross didn’t seem to show much sign of hobbies or interests outside of his job. The TV was programmed to sports channels and the latest issue of Guns & Ammo lay open on the dusty coffee table.
It seemed like a lonely life to Alex, but Ross clearly liked things this way. Plus, he probably never stopped working long enough to know if he was lonely or not.
Five minutes after seven, Alex phoned Nance’s Garage to arranged to have his car towed into town. Gracie Nance informed him that Sheriff McClintock had already stopped by and “seen to it.”
“Uh, okay.” Alex added doubtfully, “He did?”
“Yep. The boys are headed out there now.”
“Oh. Great. Well, can you phone me on my cell as soon as you have some news?”
“Can do,” Gracie informed him breezily, and hung up.
Alex wasn’t sure if this was a kindly gesture on Ross’s part or desperation to get rid of him ASAP.
After that, there wasn’t a whole lot to do. He went through his suitcase to see what worldly goods he’d left home with. He’d packed fast and in a state of numbness, so he was relieved that he’d managed to grab something he could wear to a job interview as well as a couple of changes of comfortable paternity clothes. He had all his banking and health insurance info, so that was something. And he’d grabbed the pale pink baby blanket and newborn outfit he’d bought Reid—so far the only things he’d bought, because he was supposed to be planning to give her up for adoption.
He sat on the side of the bed in Ross’s guest bedroom and buried his face in the cloud-soft folds. There was no scent, of course, but the blanket still felt like Reid to him. Only a couple of weeks now.
He longed for her to be born—and he was utterly terrified at the thought.
Chapter Three
It worried Ross that he was looking forward to seeing Alex that night.
Well, not looking forward. Of course, he was not looking forward to seeing him. But he was glad to have some good news to report because Alex had not been happy when they had talked around lunch time.
The garage had phoned Ross with the news that Alex’s car needed a new starter, and that they would have to send away for the part, which was going to take three days. Ross had delivered that news to Alex who had firstly been upset that the garage was communicating with Ross and not him, and secondly been upset that he was stuck in Sweet Water for the next few days.
“I’m not happy about either,” Ross had said.
He had felt immediately ashamed, because Alex had replied in a smothered sort of voice, “I know you’re not.”
It sounded like he might have been close to crying, and after all, it wasn’t like Ross didn’t have the room or that Alex was asking anything of him beyond giving him shelter.
Ross gruffly promised to call the garage and push them on the time frame, and Alex had thanked him, though he’d still sounded like he had a terrible cold coming on.
Usually Ross would have worked until six or seven, but tonight he figured it would be just as well to get back home and see what was up. He phoned Alex again, asking him what he could bring home for dinner.
When Alex had answered his cell phone he’d sounded like his normal self, but after Ross asked him what he’d like for dinner, he got sort of choky-voiced. That had to be hormones because one thing Ross did know, the Orlovs had lavished that boy with love and affection and hot meals. He was wryly amused by this weepy version of the formerly cheeky, chirpy Alex, but he was also unwillingly touched. Pregnancy was stressful for anyone and Alex was in a particularly tough spot. A few tears were understandable.
“I like anyt
hing,” Alex had said. Before adding, “Except tomatoes give me indigestion now.”
“Okay,” Ross said. “I also have to stop by the grocery store. Anything I can pick up for you?”
“Pork rinds, milk, and fresh fruit,” Alex said promptly.
Which Ross also found funny.
When Alex opened the front door, he almost looked like a different person. His hair was shiny, and the light picked out the chestnut glints. There was fresh color in his face, and his eyes, the color of Texas bluebells, sparkled again.
“You didn’t have to come to the door,” Ross said. “I’ve got a key.”
“Your arms are full.” Alex tried to take one of the bags from Ross, who fended him off.
“You shouldn’t be carrying heavy weights!”
“It’s a jug of milk,” Alex scoffed, but he did seem taken aback when Ross said he had to return to his vehicle for the rest of the groceries. This was more shopping than Ross typically did in a month, but he felt concerned that his omega eat right.
No. Not his omega. Where the hell had that thought come from? Alex was not his omega, but he was an omega, and he was…vulnerable. Someone needed to be looking after him, since his parents had let him down.
“You put the stuff away that needs to be refrigerated,” Ross told him. “I’ll bring the rest in.”
When he carried the remaining bags in, he found Alex in the kitchen putting the veggies in the crisper drawer. He smiled at Ross and Ross found himself smiling back.
It was good to be home. Not only did he not mind Alex being there, it was kind of nice having someone pleasant and pretty to come home to.
And Alex was still very pretty. He wore loose fit twill pants and a pale blue UNTUCKit shirt. The shirt was two sizes too large in order to accommodate his belly, but he was a lot less disheveled looking than the night before—or even that morning. In fact, other than the fact that he appeared ready to drop a pup any minute, he looked surprisingly self-contained and a lot like his old self. A sadder, wiser version, maybe?
He smelled nice too. Not dried or withered as Ross had thought the night before. His scent was crisp and sharp. Green. Like rain on leaves or freshly crushed herbs or a woodland stream tumbling over cool rocks. Not quite the scent he’d had as a boy, not as sweet or raw, but appealing. Ross wanted to breathe it in, bury his face in Alex’s hair and wrap him in his arms. He knew Alex would be warm and pliant and that his kisses would be soft and eager even as he said something that made Ross laugh.
“What’s funny?” Alex asked curiously. “Why are you smiling?”
Ross’s smile faded.
What in God’s name was he thinking? He had the start of a goddamned erection!
Ross turned away, saying briskly, “I got Chinese. No tomatoes in Chinese food. You should be able to eat that, right?”
“Sure. I love Chinese food.”
Ross loved Chinese food too, though he rarely bothered to get take out. He lived on sandwiches from the Sweet Water Café and Hungry-Man frozen dinners. And coffee. Lots of coffee.
“Good. You get the plates and silverware, and sit. I’ll put the rest of this away.”
“Ross.”
Ross turned to find Alex had his hands on his hips and a severe expression on his face. “You don’t have to worry about me. This is a healthy baby and I’m having a healthy pregnancy. Really. In fact, it’s good for me to keep moving. The last thing I need is to gain any more weight.”
“Okay. You’re the expert.”
Alex made a face. “Not really. But I’m learning fast.”
“Does it—the baby—have a name?”
“Of course, she has a name.” Alex looked amused again. “Her name is Reid.” He said it softly, tenderly, like he was looking right at her as he gazed down at his medicine ball of a stomach.
Most omegas carried their babies low. Alex was carrying high, his protruding stomach tucked right under those unmasculine breasts. He had been a tall, lanky kid. Athletic though. Strong and graceful. Broad shoulders and narrow hips. Now those shoulders helped bear that weight, but Alex’s hips didn’t bode well for delivery.
Which was not Ross’s concern, and why he felt a pang of worry was puzzling. Not his omega. Not his problem. He needed to remember that.
“I talked to Nance again,” Ross said. “He’s going to pull some strings and get the replacement starter part by tomorrow. They probably can’t get around to the repair until late in the day, but you should be on your way sometime tomorrow.”
Some of the light faded out of Alex’s face. “That’s great,” he said. And then as an afterthought. “Thank you.”
Ross nodded.
They had a nice dinner. The food was good—even better than Ross remembered. Ross talked about his day, which somehow didn’t seem as dull and pointless with Alex asking questions and laughing at some of the idiot things complainants and culprits alike said.
Alex told Ross he’d contacted a couple of employment agencies in Waco, but they’d all said the same thing: it was fine to register, but he shouldn’t count on finding any work until after he’d had the baby. He was matter-of-fact about it, though clearly worried, and Ross wished he could reassure him. He liked that Alex had guts. He would need guts and gumption for what lay ahead.
“What are you thinking?” Ross asked during a pause in the conversation. Alex had been gazing at the old rooster-shaped clock over the sink. He was faintly smiling. It was a wistful sort of smile.
His mouth twisted at Ross’s question. “Just…how funny it is to be sitting here.” He threw Ross a look that carried a hint of his old flirtatiousness. “I used to have the biggest crush on you, Sheriff McClintock. Did you know that?”
“Yes.” Ross grinned at Alex’s expression. But of course he’d known it. For one thing, it wasn’t like Alex had tried to hide it.
“Me and every other omega in town?”
“Pretty much,” Ross admitted. He shrugged. “Boys.”
“And girls too, I bet.”
“Er…”
Alex laughed, and Ross laughed too. There was just something infectious about Alex’s sense of humor. There always had been.
“I have to ask. Is it true you and Captain Wray used to be…” Alex waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
“Me and James?” Ross was astonished. So astonished that Alex laughed—he laughed so easily—at his expression.
“Everybody thought so.”
“James and me?”
Alex was amused. “Well, why not? You have a lot in common.”
“We’re both alphas, for one thing.”
“It’s been known to happen. It didn’t seem like either of you were in a panic to start a family.”
No, true enough. He and James did have a lot in common, including being workaholics in no hurry to settle down and start raising a family. And James was a very attractive guy. Ross liked him a lot.
But.
Ross had never thought it through before, but it was now clear to him that what he’d be looking for in a mate would definitely be an omega. Young, beautiful, adoring…well, that was the fantasy. None of that would hurt, but what he’d really want was someone with brains and smarts and a sense of humor.
Also self-restraint and a strong moral compass, because being the partner of a small town sheriff carried the weight of its own responsibilities and authority.
If it wasn’t for those last two things, Ross might even be taking a closer look at Alex, might even be considering inviting Alex to take his time figuring out what he was going to do next. Talk about having a screw loose! As appealing as Alex was, he was an omega who had unapologetically violated the rules of common decency by having unprotected sex—and with someone non-tribe, on top of everything else.
Alex clearly had issues, and getting involved with a wild, irresponsible omega was the last thing Ross needed in his life.
Alex suddenly sucked in a breath. He put a hand to his stomach.
Ross frowned. “What’s wrong?�
��
“Nothing. She’s kicking. Hard. I think she likes Chinese food.” He winked at Ross. “Want to feel?”
Ross’s mouth went dry at the idea of touching Alex. He wanted to. Very much. Wanted his hands on Alex. His mouth on Alex. Wanted Alex in his arms. Wanted his cock in Alex’s ass. Oh yes. Very much he wanted to push his cock into Alex’s plush, inviting ass. But not like this. Not with…that…in Alex’s belly. The baby was a turn off. The baby was living proof that Alex was not his omega, not someone he should be getting involved with, not someone he should be getting attached to.
“No.”
He could see the brusqueness of that startled Alex, hurt him a little. He didn’t care. He needed to make sure they each kept to their side of this no man’s land.
Alex pushed up from the table. “I’ll go ahead and start the dishes if you want to watch TV or…something.”
Ross did not want to watch TV. He did not want to leave this cozy kitchen. Which was all the more reason to get up and go. “I do have some paperwork to catch up on,” he lied.
He left Alex filling the dishwasher and went upstairs to stare at the football game on the TV in his bedroom while he jacked-off thinking of Alex.
The next morning Alex made pancakes topped with blueberries, strawberries, and pecan syrup. It was all Ross could do to not take him then and there on the breakfast table.
“Just coffee this morning,” he declared, practically running for the door.
The glimpse he had of Alex’s face revealed confusion and disappointment—which made two of them.
“What is the matter with you?” he muttered, as his house grew smaller and smaller in the rearview of the SUV.
Yes, it had been awhile since he’d had sex—or pancakes, for that matter—but this was ridiculous. He was acting like an adolescent alpha. He could not continue like this.
And he would not have to continue like this because Alex would be leaving that day.