Aaron checked his phone, tilting the glaring screen away from Olivier. He tapped out a message, then set the phone face-down.
“Have you decided what you’re naming the baby?” Aaron asked.
Ollie shrugged. “I don’t know yet.”
Aaron chewed on his lip. “Okay. What things do you still need for the baby? That I can buy.”
“Close to everything? I don’t know. I, um, I have Jenn’s old things, so...”
“Are you planning on giving birth at the hospital?”
“What is this, twenty questions?” Olivier laughed quietly, squirming further down in his seat. “I guess I’ll head to the hospital when my labor begins.”
“Are you scared?” Aaron winced. “It seems so scary, pushing a baby out. Gods know I couldn’t.”
Aaron’s questions seemed sincere, like he genuinely cared. Olivier relaxed. “Maybe. Kind of. I just... Things will work out. I hope.”
He wished like crazy that he could have Eric at his side, though. Wouldn’t it be miserable, going into labor by himself? Olivier fidgeted. Maybe Aaron would come to accompany him, or maybe Levi would.
He hugged his belly, stroking it. Hadn’t realized he was wearing one of Eric’s newer T-shirts until now—it was blue with pinstripes, and it clung to his belly ever so lightly.
Almost felt like Eric was there with him, pulling him into a gentle embrace.
Aaron stared intently at the rearview mirror; Ollie turned to see what he was looking at. Glimpsed a car parking across the lot from them, next to the restaurant.
“Ollie.” Aaron caught his arm, distracting him. “Epidural or not?”
Olivier frowned. “I’m six months pregnant, Aaron! I haven’t thought that far ahead!”
“Well, you should,” Aaron said, sniffing righteously. “So you’ll have peace of mind through the pregnancy. I mean, what if you give birth to a preemie?”
“I’ll panic,” Ollie said.
Aaron snorted. “Well, that’s where my questions come in handy.” He looked at the rearview mirror again.
Olivier frowned. “Are you spying on someone?”
Aaron glanced at him. “What do you mean?”
“You’ve been sneaking looks at the other car!”
Aaron paused, and suspicion whispered through Ollie’s mind.
“I’m spying on my ex,” Aaron said.
Olivier stared. “That’s why you brought me here? So you can spy on your ex?”
“Pretty much.”
“I can’t believe you!”
Aaron looked pointedly at him. “At least I still care about my ex. Unlike some people.”
Olivier squirmed, his cheeks burning. Maybe the breakup had still affected everyone, anyway. He wasn’t seeing Eric anymore. Who knew when Dad and Eric’s mom would forgive Eric? Ollie sighed, burying his face in his hands. “I ruined the family. I’m sorry.”
Aaron shrugged. “It’s been a long time coming, though. I see that now.”
“It has?”
“Yeah! That thing with you and Eric? And you and Mom? It’s like watching two fireballs collide. Boom!”
Olivier groaned. The waitress skated out through the doors with their clip-on trays, clipping Aaron’s to the driver’s door, then Ollie’s to the passenger door.
And now Ollie had a tray balanced over his rolled-down window, on it a steaming bowl of noodles begging to be eaten.
“Careful, now,” Aaron said. “Don’t spill! It’ll be a royal pain to clean out the car.”
Ollie sighed. “I’m an adult, Aaron.”
“Just saying.”
Ollie snapped his chopsticks apart, sniffing at the savory broth. He tucked the slices of crispy roasted seaweed into the soup, savoring the springy noodles, the salty, marinated hard-boiled egg.
He hadn’t realized he was hungry. He slurped down half the piping-hot noodles, thinking about the time Eric had gone out just for his salmon, and the revolted expression he’d made when Ollie ate the fish raw.
What would it be like, if Ollie could have his alpha again?
His heart squeezed. Ollie closed his eyes, imagining Eric next to him, Eric caressing his face with those gentle hands, his calluses catching on Ollie’s skin.
Eric, meeting his eyes across the pillows, his palm on Olivier’s belly, their legs tangled together.
Eric stepping up behind him in the bathroom, blowing a raspberry against Ollie’s scent gland. This is how I’ll mark you now.
He missed Eric, so very much.
Ollie choked on his breath, squeezing his eyes shut when tears rolled down his cheeks. He didn’t want Aaron to see him crying. So he looked out through his window, focusing on his still-warm noodles.
Aaron started the car. Ollie fumbled. “I’m not—I’m not done yet!”
“I know,” Aaron said behind him. “I’m not, either.”
But slowly, the car rolled backward.
The sedan across the road had its reversing lights on. Ollie bit his lip, watching as the other car came closer. “Aaron, watch out—”
“Yeah, I know.”
It was a familiar scarlet car with flame decals, the passenger window rolled down on Ollie’s side. There was a tray clipped to it, too.
Behind the tray, Eric stared back at him in shock, his cheeks wet.
30
Eric
Eric shouldn’t have been crying. He was alpha. He was supposed to have his emotions in check.
Except Cole had asked, When was the happiest you’ve been lately? and Eric had stared at his half-finished soup, remembering Ollie in the kitchen. Ollie warm and pliant in his arms, Ollie the only omega he’d wanted this much in his life.
Olivier was terrible and he wanted Eric’s mom dead, and all Eric could think was I still love him.
He’d thought about seeing Olivier again. Just to decide if he really was serious about the breakup. But there was no going back from here, was there? He’d walked out of Olivier’s life. He shouldn’t expect to be let back in.
Hell, Eric wasn’t even sure he deserved to be Olivier’s alpha, when his new job sucked and he was making less, when he hadn’t even passed the probation period.
Except Olivier was right in front of him now, wetness streaked down his face like he’d been crying. Eric’s heart squeezed tight. What happened? How was Olivier even here?
Do I still love you?
Cole coughed lightly behind him.
“You bastard,” Eric muttered. Cole and Aaron had planned this, hadn’t they?
He opened his door. In the other car, Olivier squawked. “Aaron! Aaron, please. We have to go.”
Aaron cut the engine. Yeah, he was a bastard, too. And Eric was climbing out of the car without even thinking about it. Like his body was on autopilot because Ollie was here.
Olivier scrambled out of his seat. He backed across the center console and into Aaron’s lap, and jealousy snarled in Eric’s gut.
Are you dating him now?
Eric opened the door. Ollie grabbed the door handle, yanking it back.
The soup in his bowl lurched onto the tray and car seat, and onto Olivier’s legs and belly. Ollie cried out in shock.
Eric froze. Had he scalded Ollie?
“Is it hot?” he blurted, pulling the door open again.
Ollie froze in the middle of dabbing the soup off the passenger seat.
“Ollie,” Aaron muttered exasperatedly. “I told you not to spill!”
“Just get me out of here,” Ollie said. “Please!”
Eric curled his fingers around Ollie’s thin, familiar wrist, breathing in that carnation-and-honey scent. And something in his chest relaxed, because he had his omega close by again.
Ollie jerked his hand out of Eric’s grasp, as though he’d been stung. Eric couldn’t help looking up, following the length of Olivier’s body. His belly was rounder now, a dark patch of soup on it, and...
He was wearing Eric’s shirt. There was no way Eric could miss the bird logo stitched onto i
t—they’d bought the shirt together back at Pigeon’s while they were looking at baby clothes.
“That’s mine,” Eric said, his heart missing a beat.
Olivier flushed. He yanked the shirt up over his head, thrusting it at Eric. “There. You can have it back.”
Except Eric stared at the expanse of his pale skin, his narrow chest and pink nipples, and the stretch marks across his round belly.
That was their baby in there.
Olivier hadn’t gotten rid of it. He still wanted that child. Eric swallowed hard, remembering the times Olivier smiled secretly at his belly. Remembered the times he’d spoken to that child, pressing kisses all over Olivier’s skin.
I shouldn’t have broken up with him.
“Stop staring,” Ollie mumbled, wrapping his thin arms around himself. He’d curled up on other occasions, trying to hide his body from Eric because he didn’t think he deserved Eric’s love.
Eric’s throat closed. He shrugged out of his own shirt, scrunching it up to wipe the soup off Olivier’s abdomen. “Does it hurt?”
Olivier whimpered. “Why are you doing this?”
Eric met his eyes. Saw the longing and terror, and the ache that resonated in his own chest.
Would things get better if we made up?
On impulse, he took Ollie’s hand, lifting it to kiss Ollie’s knuckles. Ollie tensed. Then he eased his hand out of Eric’s grip, looking away. “I’m not yours anymore.”
“You aren’t wearing an alpha’s scent,” Eric said.
That calmed him. Olivier wasn’t actually on a date with Aaron. This was just some sick joke their brothers had pulled.
Olivier met Eric’s eyes. Asked softly, “You were angry with me, remember?”
Yeah, Eric was.
Eric remembered being in the shop, Olivier saying it was okay that Eric’s mom had been in an accident. But he also remembered the times they’d curled up in bed, Olivier’s eyes scrunched shut with laughter.
Eric’s instincts warred. He should apologize. No, he shouldn’t.
“Ollie,” he said.
Ollie shook his head, turning. “Aaron, please. Can we go home?”
“Wait,” Eric said.
Ollie paused, but just barely. His hands trembled, his chest heaved. Eric left his shirt on Ollie’s lap, sniffing at the one Olivier had been wearing. It smelled like carnation, and it smelled like Eric’s.
Eric had been the one to leave Olivier behind. If he forgave Olivier’s wrongs... “If I said I’m sorry...”
Olivier’s eyes widened. He sucked in a great, shuddering breath. Then he pulled the door shut between them. “No,” Ollie said shakily. “You’re not my alpha, Eric.”
Eric’s heart cracked. I want to be, he realized.
Ollie signaled at the restaurant for the bill. Eric caught his hand. “Ollie—”
Ollie allowed Eric to hold him for a moment. Then he pulled away. “There are better people out there. Find another omega.”
“But the baby—”
“The baby is mine.” His jaw set, Ollie covered his belly with Eric’s clean shirt. “You know you can do better.”
And the realization sank in: it wasn’t just Eric who had broken up with Olivier. Ollie was leaving him behind, too.
“You can’t do this,” Eric croaked, his chest too tight. I thought you loved me.
“Can’t do what?” Ollie laughed, bitter. “We’re through, Eric. Okay?”
Eric had never imagined hearing those words from him. Every single syllable ripped into his heart.
The waitress came skating out of the restaurant. Olivier waved her over, forcing Eric to back away so he could settle the bill.
Where was he getting the money from? Was Olivier doing okay with the shop? Eric didn’t think so. He’d seen the ads for Total Sounds in Meadowfall, and they were enough to crush Olivier’s Strings sooner than later.
“Look, about Total Sounds,” Eric said. “They have a new manager now. They caught pictures of us together. I don’t know who did it.”
Ollie paused in the middle of counting out the bills. He made himself set the money down, then waited for the waitress to clear their trays.
“You brought Total Sounds to Meadowfall,” Olivier said quietly. “You’ve killed my business, Eric.”
Yeah, Eric regretted doing that. But his heart was focused on only one thing.
“I still love you,” Eric blurted.
Olivier’s eyes grew wide. He sucked in a shaky breath, and when he turned away, Eric glimpsed the glisten of tears on his cheeks. “Aaron, please,” Olivier said. “I want to go home.”
“Ollie,” Eric said. Because Ollie still loved him, didn’t he? He still wanted Eric. “Jenn’s been asking for you.”
Olivier wavered, his gaze flickering toward Eric, his entire body taut. “It’s really over, Eric. I’m not coming back.”
Eric’s chest squeezed. “But—”
“No buts.” Olivier looked away stiffly, his eyes sharp as glass. “My business is failing, Eric. And I don’t care about Alice, or your mom.”
Olivier met his gaze then, his lips a thin line. And Eric remembered I wish she was hurt more. I wish she died!
That was who Ollie was. He shouldn’t have forgotten that.
He swallowed, hardening his heart. Maybe he could get over loving Olivier. He’d done it once.
Olivier bowed his head. “Take care. Say hi to Jenn for me. Aaron, please.”
This time, Aaron did start up the car. Eric thought about stopping him, thought about running after them. But what was the point, when he shouldn’t have opened his heart to Olivier in the very first place?
Cole pushed open the passenger side door. “I guess we tried, huh?”
Eric didn’t have the words to answer him. Just watched as Aaron’s taillights disappeared down the road, taking Olivier with them.
If he’d never brought Total Sounds to Meadowfall, if he’d never fallen in love with his stepbrother... his heart would still be intact, wouldn’t it?
31
Olivier
Olivier stared at the rental bill, not reading the numbers at all.
It was summer and the shop was warm, the AC turned up as high as he could afford without damaging his violins. Four customers had stepped into his shop today, and two had bought something.
He was losing money. And yet, he wasn’t thinking about that at all.
I still love you.
Eric’s gaze had been solemn when he’d said that two nights ago. He’d wiped down Olivier’s belly, his hands gentle on Ollie’s skin. Olivier’s heart had tightened, sick with longing.
Eric should’ve been looking for another omega. Not tying himself down to Ollie. He was twenty-six. He had such a bright future ahead of him.
And yet... What wouldn’t Ollie give for Eric to smile at him again?
“I don’t think we made half that much,” Levi said over his shoulder.
Olivier jumped, his pulse skittering. “What?”
Levi looked pityingly at him. “The rent.”
“Oh.” Olivier flushed, tucking the bill away. “That’s not something you have to worry about.”
“I’m going to worry about it anyway. You’re my friend, Ollie.” Levi frowned. “You can come crash at my place if you’re really hard-up for somewhere to stay. I’ll even help you watch the baby.”
“Thanks.” Olivier sank weakly against the counter, picking at a newly-delivered box. It was nice to know that Levi cared so much about him. “Have you gone and filled out an application at Total Sounds?”
“Hell, no.” Levi scowled.
Olivier sighed. “You know I can’t keep you here forever. I don’t even know if I can pay you another month.”
“We’ll figure something out.” Levi folded his arms, looking askance at the new delivery. “What if you applied for another job? Then at least you’ll have some savings before the baby shows up.”
“And abandon Ollie’s Strings?” Olivier looked incredul
ously at him.
“Float or sink.” Levi shrugged. “That’s how things work around here.”
It seemed as though Ollie’s things all ended up sinking, somehow or other. The shop, his family, his relationship with Eric.
He sliced through the tape on the box, pulling its flaps open to reveal the crimson Closing Down Sale banners he’d ordered. Levi sucked in a sharp breath. “It’s really happening, huh?”
Olivier shrugged. “It’s been on the cards since the new year. Eric just—just delayed the inevitable.”
His heart squeezed.
Eric still haunted all his thoughts. From Ollie’s dreams to his conscious moments, to when he pulled his clothes on, expecting Eric to step up for a hug.
He’d turned over in bed last night, shaken awake by a bad dream, only to realize that Eric wasn’t there to hold him until dawn. And Jenn—was she walking yet? Was she still looking around for him? Would his baby take to him as easily as Jenn had?
Olivier made himself unfold the banners. “I’ll hang these up.”
Levi narrowed his eyes. “You’re pregnant. I’ll do it.”
“I can still work, Levi!”
“You look like you swallowed a cantaloupe,” Levi said. “I’m not taking chances.”
He sat Olivier down at the counter, stalking out with an armful of banners and ties. Olivier sighed.
Minutes later, the bells on the door jingled. Olivier looked up, blinking when he found an old customer, Brad, and his omega.
Brad was Ollie’s age, but his omega was older, with gray streaked through his hair. The first time Olivier saw Ian, he’d wondered at how amazing it was, that Brad had found love in someone much older than he was. And now Brad was carrying their toddler in his arms.
“Hey,” Brad said, glancing around the shop. “I didn’t know you were closing down. We happened to pass by and saw the signs.”
Brad paused on the other side of the counter, slipping his arm around his omega. Ian leaned into him, at ease with their relationship. And Ollie’s heart ached.
He wished he had an alpha like that. Wished he could return to the old days, and just press against Eric’s side, sharing Eric’s warmth. Ollie touched his belly. The baby kicked.
Stepbrother's Secret Page 27