Chapter TwentySpencer #2
Evan pulled her to him. “I suspect you’re a theta. Thought that for years. Your doctor said that since you showed up as a beta on the test they did in middle school, that I should wait until high school to test you again. That’s usually when the rare designations appear.”
“What’s a theta?” Her look became curious as she leaned into him.
“Hyper-independent, smart, misanthropes who like to collect wealth.” Evan grinned.
She pushed him away and flipped him off. “You’re shitting my dick. Don’t call me out like that.”
“It’s an actual designation. My mother was pretty sure I was going to be a theta,” I replied, pocketing my phone. “They’re closer to alphas than betas.” My father had been an alpha, my mother a beta, but there were thetas on my father’s side.
Evan’s parents had been betas, and him being an omega was a surprise. But genetics could be funny like that.
“They must not have gotten into all that in health classes.” Evan frowned.
“We only got the basics in biology–more than last year, but nothing interesting. We have the big health class next year. Wait, so I’m not broken?” Tears welled up in her eyes.
Evan brushed away her tears. “Never. Even if you don’t designate as a theta, you’re still not broken.”
My heart ached, and I squeezed her hand. “I’m so sorry you think that.”
“I… lately…” She wriggled out of Evan’s arms and hugged her knees to her chest. “One of my teachers gives me shit about not having lots of friends and my activity choices. Then this asshole Dependent Services lady is like, ‘ Don’t you feel abandoned being on the first floor? Don’t you feel excluded living at school?
Don’t you miss your sisters? You do all these chores for money, like you’re a maid?
’ No, you fuckwad. I like the independence of being at school. ”
She did–and she needed her independence fostered.
Riley glared at us. “Living up here with you assholes all the time? Fuck that shit. I’d live in the guesthouse if you’d let me.”
“Yeah, you legally can’t live there on your own,” Evan said.
“Can I live in the basement? There’s that locked room down there.”
“Not right now,” Evan told her. “But you have a nice room, away from everyone.”
The locked room in the basement was the nest that came with the house. Evan hardly used it, preferring the cabin.
“It doesn’t hurt to ask.” She shrugged. “I enjoy living here. My sisters are fun to do things with, but it sucks ass living with them because they’re bossy bitches.
I like doing chores for money because then I can explain where my money came from to my nosy sisters because they’re not cool like you. ”
“Where is your money coming from? We talked about this.” My eyebrows rose. While she was an incredible hacker, her overconfidence would end up with her getting caught.
She made a face. “Be cool, Spence.”
“The Dependent Services officer clearly didn’t understand how to raise a teenage theta. If we could get an actual test, that would help us if she chooses to make our parenting methods an issue,” Evan said quietly. “She also didn’t like that we’re all guys.”
“Um, antiquated. Again, not a problem. If I want estrogen, there’s plenty at school.” Riley rolled her eyes. “No, I don’t miss having a mom. Fuck, I shouldn’t have let her get under my skin like that.”
Oh. Yes. That would be the tears. Evan’s family gave everything for Riley. But they’d never be her parents. There was a tiny part of her that wanted what her siblings had, and she barely remembered. A part she tried never to show.
“Do you want to talk about it?” I asked, not suppressing my alpha urge to make it better for those in my care.
“No. Before you bring up Grace as a mom-substitute, she probably can’t even bake cupcakes and hates rom-coms–and don't even go there.” She glared at me.
I knew Riley secretly liked rom-coms. But I’d never tell.
“Grace,” Evan breathed. “She’s not a replacement mom for you. I promise. No one can replace our mom.”
“I know. But that asshole brought it up. Anyhow, I’m going to get changed.” She stood and then hugged me. “Thanks for not ignoring my meeting request. Love you too, fucker. Have fun at work, Doofus.” Riley went downstairs.
“Are you okay?” I scooted closer to Evan and put an arm around him.
He sighed, snuggling into me. “The Dependent Services officer got nasty with me about sending her to boarding school and taking her from my sisters. But it’ll be fine.
My sisters will back me up in that Riley chose all of this.
This was best for her–and them. They get to live their lives, my grandparents too.
High school seemed like a good time for a change of location.
Though I probably should have done this sooner for my other sisters’ sake. ”
“The school is an excellent place for Riley, and you’re right, a theta designation will help explain our choices.
I’m here and I’ll back you, as always.” I smiled.
Before my mother and I had moved here, we’d visited them often–and they’d visit us.
Even though he was a little younger than me, I loved spending time with him and his family.
“I’m so glad,” Evan told me. “She also complained about Riley’s vocabulary.”
I shook my head. “We got her that way.”
“Yep. And well, we swear a lot, so it would be hypocritical to get on her for swearing without us cleaning up our own language.” Evan sighed. “I should get to work. You’ll be fine with her for the afternoon?”
“I’d much rather have pizza than deal with spreadsheets. The Omega Center visit went well?” I prodded, curious because it was a visit for him.
“It was just Carly. Given the situation, it’s routine to check on the other omega in the house. Bren’s going to be pissed since she had to go into every room. But it was fine. I answered the questions truthfully, and I have nothing to hide. This was to make sure I was okay,” he said.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.” He rolled his eyes. “I don’t have any issues with Grace being here.”
“You’re half in love with her, aren’t you?” I asked. I saw the way he looked at her, was with her.
“Half?” He laughed. “Spence, I didn’t fall for Wes this quickly or hard. I’d like to think it’s not only the bond talking.”
“Of course not,” I assured. “I like her, too. She’s fascinating.” I looked forward to getting to know her better.
His eyebrows rose. “You’re not fazed by Grace being from another world?”
“No. I’m intrigued, especially since she can’t remember how she got here. Not to change the subject, but Mrs. Beekman might still come by for an inspection?” I asked.
“My guess would be tomorrow. The integration team will start calling, too,” he added.
“What if she has to leave?” I was a little worried about the prospect, given how close Evan was getting to her.
“All the more reason for Wes and Grace to work through their shit–so no one gets hurt if that happens. Am I selfish for wanting her to stay?” Evan’s brow furrowed.
“No. I think she should stay.” I wasn’t going to stop Grace from getting back to where she came from. But if that’s what she wanted, we needed to discuss what dangers it could bring her–or me.
She might not know the rules. I barely did.
My father hadn’t known the rules. He and Dr. K had paid the price, as had so many others who had needlessly died in the explosion.
I just hoped Evan and Wes’ hearts weren't broken in the process.
Evan’s phone buzzed, and he looked at it and sighed. “See you tonight?”
“See you tonight.” I went down to my suite and changed into something more appropriate for the pizza arcade.
One worry of mine was that someone might come after Grace. She’d also come here. Those means may not have been sanctioned. I had so many questions.
However, we needed to be cautious. The reason I knew that Grace had traveled from another dimension was because she had that same smell clinging to her that those men had.
The ones who’d come from nowhere and arrested my father and Dr. Katsopolis, then took them away for breaking this world’s interdimensional travel ban.
Right before the men had blown up the supercollider in order to hide what my father and Dr. K had found.