Mom and Dad made their way over to the table, Dad leading the way. Eric held Ollie’s hand tightly, keeping an eye on Jenn. Jenn crammed four of her fingers into her mouth.
When Dad arrived at the table, he took a seat at the far end, where they’d left places for him and Mom.
Mom swept her gaze over them all. “Cole! And Aaron—I haven’t seen you in such a long time.” She leaned in to hug them, avoiding Eric’s eyes. Then she glanced at Jenn, and Eric. “Eric. And Jenn—such a dear little thing. Are there menus for all of us?”
There it was again, that subtle barb that Eric wouldn’t have noticed at a different time. Cole and Aaron exchanged a glance with Eric, then Olivier.
“You forgot about Ollie, Mom,” Aaron said brightly. “Aren’t you going to give him a hug, too?”
Mom tensed, her smile freezing ice-cold on her face.
Olivier’s nails bit into Eric’s hand. “No, no, it’s fine,” Ollie said. “I have to go to the bathroom.”
“Call me if you need help,” Eric said.
Ollie nodded and stood.
“Olivier, you’re pregnant,” Dad said with some surprise.
Ollie forced a smile. “I am.”
“Congrats! Why didn’t you bring your alpha?” Dad glanced past Eric, as though he were looking for someone else.
Olivier’s ears turned red. “He’s, um, around.”
Eric’s heart sank. He wanted Ollie to acknowledge him as his alpha. But he also understood the threat Olivier felt—that was more important than Eric’s pride.
“I’ll be in the bathroom for a bit,” Olivier squeaked. He left the table, and Eric wanted to follow him, hold Ollie until he stopped shaking.
Maybe we shouldn’t be here.
Mom glanced over, her eyes locking on Olivier’s baby bump. Then her lip curled for a second, before she smoothed it away.
Eric stared, aghast. Olivier was her stepson. All these years he’d never noticed, because he’d never thought to look at his mom’s reaction to Ollie.
“Did you see?” he murmured to Cole. Aaron looked over.
“I don’t believe it,” Cole said. “I just... It can’t be true.”
Aaron waited until Ollie had disappeared into the bathroom, before he said, “I’ve really missed Ollie at our family outings. We should invite him over next week, don’t you think, Mom? He looks really pregnant.”
“Yes, he’s pregnant,” Mom said, flipping her menu open.
“What sort of baby clothes should we get him?” Aaron asked. “What about baby rabbit outfits?”
“Rabbits are overrated,” Cole said. “What about pelicans?”
Aaron made a face. “I’m not sure those would fit right on a baby. Looks like a pelican swallowed the baby, you know? What about a seahorse?”
“Can you even find a seahorse outfit?” Cole retorted.
“Why don’t we ask Eric what he thinks,” Aaron said, wriggling his eyebrows.
Eric calmed a little. Even though his bond with Ollie was unusual, their brothers had their backs. “Maybe a cow outfit,” Eric answered.
“Cows are awesome. What do you think, Mom?” Aaron asked.
“Whatever you want,” she said.
“But you’ll be there, right? I’m sure Ollie expects a great gift from you,” Aaron continued. “We’ll turn it into a grand celebration just like we did for Jenn’s baby shower.”
Mom smiled. For a moment, Eric’s gut tightened. What if Mom’s placidness undermined whatever Eric had told Aaron and Cole? What if they sided with Mom, instead of Ollie?
“I’m sure you’ll have a great party,” Mom said.
“But won’t you be attending?” Aaron asked. “Don’t you want to throw a baby shower for him?”
“Maybe one,” Dad said. “Two is a little unnecessary.”
“Or maybe three?” Cole added.
“What’s wrong with the two of you?” Mom snapped, her smile strained. “Why the sudden excitement?”
“Nothing,” Aaron said, rubbing his chin. “We just wanted to celebrate Ollie’s new baby.”
“Wait until it’s born,” Mom said. “You don’t know if he’ll carry it to term.”
Something vicious snarled in Eric’s gut. What do you mean, he won’t carry it to term? “I’m looking forward to that baby,” Eric said, low and forceful, enough that both Mom and Dad looked over. “It happens to be very important to me.”
Dad frowned, confused. “What do you mean, Eric?”
Mom met Eric’s eyes, and it was almost as though she was daring him to speak.
Eric felt as though he was on a precipice, right there. Dad was listening.
He’d spent so long working to gain Dad’s approval. Dad had fixed everything Eric had trouble with, and Eric had learned to repair appliances because he’d hung around his stepfather so much. Dad had driven Eric to his school track meets, and he’d given Eric high fives when Eric won his races. Eric craved his approval.
But Olivier... Eric wanted to spend his life with Ollie. He couldn’t hide it from his family.
“Olivier’s my omega,” Eric said.
Behind him, Ollie made a soft, helpless whimper. Cole and Aaron glanced at Eric. Jenn thumped her palms on the table.
But Dad’s eyebrows drew together, and Mom flinched. Then they turned their attention to Olivier, who had come to stand next to Eric. Ollie looked as though he wanted to flee.
“Olivier,” Dad said severely, his bushy eyebrows drawn so close they were almost a solid line. “Is it true?”
Olivier rubbed his wrist where Eric’s marking was. “Yes,” he said quietly.
Dad’s expression tightened. Mom’s lips twisted.
“What is the meaning of this?” she snapped. “Eric, stop joking around. You’re not ten anymore.”
“Damn right I’m not ten anymore,” Eric muttered, reaching behind to tangle his fingers with Ollie’s. “If I were, I would still be blind to the way you’ve treated him all these years. He’s your stepson.”
Mom froze, her eyes flashing. Eric lifted his chin, daring her to disagree.
“Here in this family,” Mom said slowly, “we have a set of morals. That means we stay virtuous and we do not sleep around.”
Olivier tensed against Eric, his face paling. Eric held his breath. Mom wasn’t going to talk about Ollie’s past in front of all of them, was she?
“What’s that gotta do with anything?” Aaron asked.
Mom glanced at Olivier, her lip curling. Ollie swayed on his feet, and Eric wrapped his arm around Ollie’s waist to support him. Dad stared at them in disbelief.
“We’ve all made mistakes in the past,” Eric growled. “Olivier is still your son.”
“I consider those who are upstanding to be part of my family,” Mom retorted.
“And that doesn’t include Olivier at all,” Eric said. “You didn’t greet him once when you stepped in. You’ve ignored him entirely, and three months ago, you told me he’s better off dead.”
Olivier sucked in a deep breath. Cole and Aaron’s eyes grew wide.
“Wendy, did you really say that?” Dad asked, his mustache bristling.
The blood drained from Mom’s face. “I was joking!”
“You weren’t,” Eric retorted.
Olivier’s nails bit into Eric’s shoulder. “We should leave,” he said so quietly that Eric almost missed it.
“Soon,” Eric murmured back. More loudly, he said, “If you really loved him, then you will love that child in his belly, too. That’s mine.”
Dad swore. Mom looked appalled. Aaron whistled, and Cole sighed, shaking his head.
“Thanks for creating a mess,” Cole muttered.
“That child isn’t a mess,” Eric said. “But Ollie is, because of the shit you’ve done to him over the years. You split treats between me and Cole and Aaron, leaving Ollie out completely. You told Cole and Aaron to tell Ollie his grades sucked. And you’ve repeatedly used him as a bad example in front of us.”
Olivier whimpere
d. Eric’s heart pounded. The entire truth was out amongst his family, and he was damn fucking scared.
Mom stared tensely at him, her lips quivering. “I was merely pointing out his flaws so he could improve.”
“And that involves calling him a slut?” Eric hissed, narrowing his eyes.
The whole table went silent.
Mom glared. “I do not tolerate anyone sleeping around. Least of all anyone I call my children. I will not be related to such vileness. Cole, Aaron—don’t you agree?”
She was doing this, in front of Ollie and his brothers and their father. As though Ollie deserved to be humiliated like this.
“His choice, not yours,” Eric snapped. “Having multiple partners doesn’t make anyone vile.”
Mom scowled. “What have you become, Eric? Has he contaminated you, too?”
And that flipped a switch in Eric. “For years,” he seethed. “For years, you’ve told him that he’d go to jail because he loved me. You told him he was a pervert, you’ve never made him feel welcome in our family at all. You’re supposed to be his stepmom. All you’ve done is treat him like shit.”
Mom glowered, her shoulders taut, her makeup stark on her face like a facade.
Eric wanted to say more. But it was Ollie’s story to tell, not his own. He’d already said too much as it was.
Dad sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I thought we’ve been over this, Wendy.”
“That’s not fair,” Aaron said. “Ollie’s our brother.”
“I had no idea,” Cole muttered.
Olivier looked at his feet, his expression downcast.
“We’re leaving,” Eric said. “Text me if you’d like to talk, but I’m not gonna listen to any bullshit you say about my bondmate.”
Dad pursed his lips. “We’ll need to speak about that,” he said, narrowing his eyes. “But at some other time, Eric, Olivier.”
At least, he wasn’t disowning them right now.
But he still could, and the possibility of that was heavy, weighing down on Eric’s heart. He gathered Jenn into his arms, grabbed the baby bag, then tugged Ollie out of the restaurant.
It was only when they’d stepped outside that Olivier sucked in a shaky breath. “Sorry,” Ollie mumbled. “That was... that was rough.”
Eric couldn’t imagine the anxiety Ollie must’ve gone through. Being shamed by his stepmother, his father barely giving him a kind word...
Ollie picked at his skin, and Eric slipped his arm around Ollie’s waist, kissing his ear.
“We’re going home,” Eric murmured. “Do you wanna go elsewhere to eat? I have a favorite pizza place downtown.”
Ollie smiled wanly. “That’d be nice. I’m sorry about today. You should’ve come here alone, Eric. At least you’d still have the rest of them—”
“Naw,” Eric said. “I’d rather be with you.”
Olivier’s smile wobbled, but it was brighter now. Jenn clapped her hands, babbling, and Eric kissed her, too.
“Well, I’d rather be with you and Jenn. You’re my family.” Eric squeezed Olivier’s waist, turning when the front door opened behind them.
Wyatt poked his head out, grimacing. “Hey, I heard bits of your conversation back there. Sorry about that. I can relate.”
Eric shrugged. “It’s fine, you don’t have to feel bad for us.”
“Here.” Wyatt thrust a couple of brightly-colored vouchers at them. “Your next meal here is on Raph and I. Feel free to come back sometime.”
Ollie gaped. “You don’t have to!”
Wyatt smiled crookedly. “We’ve been through what you have. Really, accept these. We figured you’ll need something to cheer you up.”
Olivier hesitated, longing in his eyes. So Eric took the vouchers, nodding at Wyatt. “Thanks,” Eric said. “We really appreciate it.”
Wyatt waved. Eric brought Olivier back to the car, securing Jenn into her car seat.
Had this really been the best idea? Letting the rest of the family know, and putting Olivier through all that pain?
Olivier climbed into the passenger seat, silent through the drive. Eric reached over to squeeze his hand. “Feelin’ okay?”
Ollie shrugged. “I guess.”
He didn’t seem so certain, though. Even though Cole and Aaron seemed to support them... would they still, now that Eric had left them with their parents? Would Mom convince Dad and his brothers that they should kick Olivier out of the family?
“Things will turn out okay,” Eric murmured, turning down the street to Olivier’s favorite restaurant instead.
“I hope so,” Olivier said softly, his expression still uneasy. “I’m not sure we should’ve told Dad that the baby’s yours.”
He cradled his belly, his body small in the car seat. Doubt twinged in Eric’s chest.
He remembered Alice sitting next to him, Alice’s smile bright on the day the accident happened.
Eric had fucked things up for her, hadn’t he? And he was starting to do it to Ollie, too. Ollie had his relationship with Dad, but now... what if Dad lost any love he had for Olivier? There was no way Eric could make up for that.
He studied Olivier from the corner of his eye, only to have a car change lanes right in front of him.
Then the car braked, and Eric’s sedan was moving way too fucking fast.
Eric slammed hard on the brakes, the seat belt shoving hard against his chest. They jolted to a stop inches from the other car, Eric’s heart pounding.
Shouldn’t have been distracted.
“Gods,” Olivier breathed, his face pale. Jenn began to cry in the backseat.
“Sorry,” Eric said, his ears ringing. Couldn’t help remembering the flashing lights, the blood.
“It’s fine,” Ollie said, still staring at the other car. “We’re all okay.”
But Eric’s nerves had frazzled, and his hands shook. Could’ve crashed. Could’ve been Alice all over again.
The traffic lights were red. When they turned green, it took a while for Eric to get the car moving.
That had been close. And both Ollie and Jenn had been in the car. What if Eric hadn’t stopped in time? What if there had been a truck in front of them instead?
Olivier squeezed Eric’s thigh, his gaze knowing.
“Don’t worry about it,” Ollie murmured. “We’re fine.”
“Yeah,” Eric said. They really were fine. Things were still okay, and he still had Ollie. But a tendril of uncertainty snaked around his heart.
He could do better this time around. He would.
25
Olivier
Olivier cracked his eyes open, the dregs of a raw salmon dream teasing his stomach.
He was hungry. He needed a taste of fresh pink-orange salmon, and he knew for a fact there wasn’t any in his fridge. Could he buy some right now? The clock read 7 AM.
Next to him, warmth lingered in the bed.
Eric’s cedar scent enveloped him like a hug. But the bed was empty, and so was Jenn’s cot on the baby monitor.
Olivier groaned, a twinge of loneliness seeping through his chest. Where were they? Since when have I started missing Jenn, too?
He rolled off the bed, staring down at his belly. At eighteen weeks, it was close to half the size of a watermelon, and faint stretch marks lined his skin. Eric’s baby was in there.
It was a baby that would love Ollie regardless of anything.
Smiling now, Olivier pulled on a bathrobe to cover up his nakedness, padding out of the room.
Traffic sounds rumbled faintly through the apartment. Golden sunlight slanted through the windows, illuminating his sheet music on the walls. The aroma of coffee teased his nose.
Great, now I want coffee, too. But it was probably regular coffee, wasn’t it?
Now itching for a taste of coffee and salmon, Olivier followed the baritone of Eric’s voice. Jenn squealed somewhere.
Water splashed behind the hallway bathroom door. Olivier grabbed the doorknob, about to open it.
; Then Eric’s voice dipped into a low note, lifting higher, and Ollie realized Eric was singing.
His heart tripped. Ollie pressed his ear to the doorjamb, closing his eyes so he could focus on Eric’s voice.
“Under the stars on a lonely night, when all the world’s alone,” Eric sang. “I’m somewhere out there in the world, my love is overgrown.”
Jenn babbled along to the song, out of tune. But she was singing, too, and Olivier desperately wanted to see them. If he opened the door... would Eric stop?
Ever so slowly, he turned the doorknob. Held his breath. Pushed the door open bit by bit, until Eric’s singing washed over him like the rumble of the ocean. It was a song they’d sung together, once upon a time—Stories With Us.
“My tears are shed and my voice is thin, but my love is like a stone. If I could be a shooting star, my feelings for you will be known.”
The words rose out of Ollie’s memory like bubbles to the water’s surface. He thought about singing along, but he hadn’t had practice in years. Instead, Ollie poked his head into the bathroom.
Eric sat naked in the tub with Jenn, suds all over their bodies, the air heavy and humid. Jenn splashed in the water, sending bubbles flying. Then she glanced up.
Ollie held his breath. “Keep on singing,” he said.
Eric’s smile turned mischievous. “Only if you join me.”
“In the tub?” Olivier asked. Was there even space?
“You’ll have to sing, too.” Eric grinned. He hauled Jenn closer to himself, leaving an empty spot on the other side of the tub. “The water’s warm if you wanna join in.”
Ollie gulped. A warm bath did sound good, even if it only reached up to Jenn’s stomach. “Is that appropriate? Bathing with your child?”
Eric shrugged. “It’s how I did baths with her when I was parenting alone. Easier to give up and get wet yourself, than trying to avoid being splashed. ‘Cuz you’re definitely gonna get splashed.”
Olivier chuckled. He shut the door behind himself, tempted.
“Not like you’re wearing anything under there.” Eric eyed Olivier’s bathrobe.
“Well, no.” Olivier shivered, slipping out of the robe.
Eric’s gaze coasted down his body like a warm, heavy caress.
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