Lion’s Crossing (Love Sync Mates Season Two)

Chapter Two

Linc

I hugged my dad then my father as I made my way through the foyer. “You’re sure you don’t need me to stay longer? I can if I need to.” Though I was anxious to get back to working in my own recording studio, I felt guilty leaving my parents on their own again.

“No.” My omega dad pointed past me toward the front door. “You’ve helped us out so much, but I know you need to get back to the city. There are many people counting on you.”

“But you’re more important.” I leaned down to kiss his cheek.

My father cupped my arm. “Listen, Linc, we really appreciate you coming to help take care of me after my hip replacement so that your dad and sister could still run the store. But I’m back up on my feet now. Plus, we’re all starting to get on each other’s nerves. We all need to get back to our regular routine. You included.”

I had less of a routine than my parents, but producing anything with the limited recording equipment I’d brought with me to stay with them in Shifter Crossing wasn’t the same as creating and manipulating music in my studio. There was only so much I could do without building a whole new room in their house. “I just want to be sure—”

My father tapped me on the shoulder. “Your sister’s here. We’ll be fine.”

I said goodbye to my parents once again before lugging my belongings out the door and loading them into my sister’s car. The train station wasn’t far away, but I had a lot of luggage, so she’d agreed to drive me the few blocks over.

“Thank you again for helping out.” Kayla rested her hand on mine. “I couldn’t have supported our father and maintained my hours in the store when dad wasn’t there. It would have been too much for the three of us, but I know you left a lot behind to come here for so long.”

I nodded. “It wasn’t a problem. And let me know if you need me back or need anything else.”

She squeezed my cheek. “You’re just the best baby brother. Hopefully your ride home is uneventful. Shoot me a text when you get home.”

“I will.” After collecting all my luggage, I stopped to put on my hat and sunglasses and raised my collar before heading to the platform. I didn’t make my presence in Shifter Crossing public knowledge, as I didn’t want fans traveling to the super-small town to see me. So, I stayed out of the store and focused on my father’s recovery instead. The trip home would be tricky though. I didn’t know who would recognize me on the train.

Only one other person stood on the platform, waiting for the train. An omega based on his scent. I braced for him to race toward me and ask for a selfie with me, but when he glanced in my direction, he didn’t seem to recognize me at all. Strange, since he looked to be around my age, though I refused to complain about not having fans maul me. Maybe my popularity from being in the boy band FNL had finally worn off. I could only hope, as I much preferred to be producing music rather than performing songs on stage.

A chat request came in on my phone. The head of production at Adan Records. I accepted the request as I tucked myself into the tiny alcove at the station.

“Hey, Linc, I heard you’re coming back today. You think we can set up a meeting for later today to go over the music for ONE’s debut album?”

“Sure.” It would be easier for me to drop most of my recording stuff off at my studio than to lug it all the way home and back. “The trip is supposed to take about three hours, and then I’ll need another hour to decompress, so how about four?”

“Sounds good. See you then.” The production head hung up as I brought up my notes on the upcoming omega group I would be working with. Over the past month, I’d reviewed the memos sent to me about their style and what types of music they enjoyed. I’d made a couple demos for them to listen to, but I would be able to do even more once I returned to my studio.

The train arrived only minutes after I hung up. The much calmer life I’d lived in Shifter Crossing was about to end, as I readied to return to the metropolis, Saramto, where my life did not pass by based on a clock but by what needed to be done.

I let the omega on the platform board first.

It was the polite thing to do—and my parents would slap me if I didn’t.

Plus, I had a lot more baggage to bring on with me.

Once I’d situated it in the luggage hold just inside the car, I glanced inside to search for a seat.

I would have preferred business class over economy simply to have a seat to myself, but the line through my hometown didn’t offer the more expensive option.

And the car was surprisingly full for a weekday.

I looked up and down the aisle, hoping no one recognized me as I tried to find a place to sit.

There was only one left.

Right beside the omega who boarded with me.

He had the window seat, which meant I was left with the aisle.

Better than being boxed in by a fan who wouldn’t leave me alone.

I’d been there before on an airplane.

I put my bag in the hold above our seats then sat down.

The seat was surprisingly roomy, and I didn’t accidentally bump the omega beside me.

Though I wouldn’t have minded if he sat a little closer with his delicious scent of vanilla and raspberries.

I expected omegas on their own to wear a scent blocker, as I did out in public, but he must have foregone the safeguard.

Or maybe it was something only city omegas used.

The last thing I wanted was to upset someone from my hometown by getting too close or making them uncomfortable.

Especially an omega.

I might not have been in the spotlight as much, but I still had a career influenced by public opinion.

Once the attendant collected our tickets, I popped in my earbuds, leaned back in my seat, and closed my eyes, trying to ignore the omega’s scent.

I listened to the covers released by some of the members of the group I would be working with, plus their own playlists to review their sound and tastes, focusing on my job.

Just like when I was in FNL, I found artists preferred to sing, release, and perform songs they would listen to themselves.

I wanted to help make them a huge success, so I planned to focus much of my time and attention on them over the next few months.