Chapter 2 #3
Milo snorted. “Hell to the no. We’re just four idiots who want to get pregnant at the same time.”
Boone forced a smile. “Your alphas must be overjoyed.” He was happy for them, but the desire to go back in time ate away at him from the inside out.
“Well, about that. It’s kinda funny, really.” Milo squeezed Demarien’s shoulder and gave him a little nod.
“None of us has alphas.” Demarien leaned into Milo’s side. “We were all artificially inseminated. Technology, am I right?”
Boone felt the world around them stop. No alphas? He stared at Demarien in shock. Wait, scratch that. Four single, pregnant omegas? At once? That’s a scary reality.
“You okay there, Boone?” Demarien’s warm smile forced Boone out of his thoughts.
“Yeah, I’m fine, don’t worry about me.” Boone scratched the back of his head. “I’m just excited for you guys. I’m guessing you’re due in June?”
Demarien shrugged. “Actually, I got pregnant first and am due in June. Then Puck’s insemination was successful, and he’s due in July.”
“Then me,” Milo said. “I found out for sure just last week. I’m due in late July.”
Demarien’s smile looked a little strained. “We’re hoping that’ll be plenty of time to get the old estate fixed up and inn-worthy.”
“We literally just got into town,” Milo said, biting his lip. “We haven’t even seen the place, but the caretaker said everything was in order. I hope it works out.”
Demarien scowled adorably. “I’ll fight anyone who tries to stop us.
” He took a swing at the air, only to sway a bit on his feet.
He caught the wall, and Milo quickly jumped to balance him.
“Or maybe I’ll just slip some laxatives in their food.
” Demarien grinned sheepishly, pushing his twist braids out of his face.
“Maybe you don’t need to stock up on laxatives.” Boone grinned. “If you’re really serious about the whole fighting thing, I run self-defense classes down on Crabapple Lane. I’m set up next to that old animal rescue, Fe Fido Fo Fum, remember it?”
Demarien gasped. “You mean to tell me I can take a life-changing lesson and then immediately go next door and cuddle some fuzzy creatures?”
“You got it.” Boone winked, holding out his hand. “What do you say?”
“You’ve got yourself a deal.” Demarien shook Boone’s waiting hand eagerly before turning back to Milo with a wide grin on his face.
Boone tried not to focus on how his own clammy hands felt against Demarien’s warm skin. He clenched his fist, more determined than ever to make this right.
“Milo. Demarien,” a rough voice called out from around the corner. “Are you good? We’re all ready to go when you guys are. Please don’t make me come down there.”
“Yeah, Puck’ll cry again,” a softer voice, followed by a giggle, drifted down the alley.
“Shut up, Felix,” Puck said. “I was not crying.”
Boone snorted. There was the rest of the gang he knew.
“We’re fine,” Milo shouted. “We’re coming.” He looked between Boone and Demarien. “I guess that’s our cue. It was great seeing you again, Boone.”
Demarien leaned against Milo, relaxing under his arm. “When we’re settled in, I’ll drop by.”
“Now?” Concern washed over Milo’s face. “His classes may be too overexerting, and you don’t even need them.”
“Shut it.” Demarien narrowed his eyes and glared at Milo. “You worry too much. I’m very hardy and would love to have a lesson from Boone.”
Milo rolled his eyes and smirked. “Whatever.”
Boone pulled a worn notepad from his pocket. “You may be, uh, hardy, but that doesn’t mean we should put you or the baby through anything too rough. So, how about private lessons? That way, we can go as fast or slow as you want, without following the set routine for my usual classes.”
Milo’s eyes brightened. “Hear that, Demarien? As fast or slow as you want.”
Demarien let out a choked squeak but quickly cleared his throat. “If you’re sure it’s not too much trouble, I’m down. I like it slow.”
“Not an issue.” Boone smiled as he scribbled his number on the paper and passed it to Demarien. “Just give me a call whenever you’re ready.”
Boone stepped to the side and let the pair pass before he leaned back against the faded brick wall.
Am I really getting a second chance here? He ran a hand down his face and stared at the cloudy sky above the alley before he stepped back out. Neither Demarien nor Milo had seemed at all concerned with Boone’s face. Demarien had been just as warm and sweet as he had always been.
He threw a glance at the winding roads of the hillside leading up to Dahlia’s place before he fished his phone from his pocket. It took exactly one second before Patrick picked up, and his friend’s loud-ass voice immediately assaulted him.
“Hey, took you long enough,” Patrick said, growling into the phone. “What happened at Grimes’?”
Boone walked slowly back to the front of the store and sank onto the bench. He hung his head and leaned on his knees, wincing when dull pain flared in his leg as he leaned forward. He couldn’t make himself give two shits about that right now.
He grinned and chuckled happily. “You’ll never believe who I just saw.”