Evans #3
With one hand linked with Shiloh’s, the other holding his beer, he grins. Is that what being bonded looked like? Happiness? Contentment? Could I have that with Sadie?
“Now that we’re all fed and on a high from winning, we’d like to announce that we’re having a baby!” A round of cheers and claps breaks out from our team mates who are sitting nearby, drawing the attention of the other diners, who join in.
Shiloh blushes as Zale pulls him to his feet and in for a quick kiss. “The doctor confirmed it this week.”
There are more cheers, shaking of hands and of course, jokes about dirty diapers in their future and warnings of the dangers of heat sex.
It’s all lighthearted and lifts my mood again as the congratulations seem to go on forever.
Zale was going to be a parent. And I’d get to be the fun uncle.
At least until my own family came along.
“Okay, settle down. We have one more thing we’ve been thinking about.” They turn to where we’re sitting, Blake, Hunter, Bell and I. Shiloh hands out four cream cards with gold calligraphy, inside is a scan of a…kidney bean? “We wanted to ask you guys if you would like to be our baby’s bondparents.”
A bondparent?
My chest tightens.
My bondparents were strategic choices, rather than because they cared for me. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the gifts they sent every birthday and holiday. But I don’t think I’d ever seen them outside public events or in one instance, my father’s main place of work.
A bondparent is usually someone who helps raise the baby, someone who offers guidance and shows up to sports events and takes them to concerts.
They also teach them values and morals and all that stuff, but those things were boring.
I was going to the bondparent who spoiled them rotten and taught them how to pull pranks.
“Oh my goddess, we’re going to be bondparents, babe!” Sadie says squealing in my ear as she squeezes me tightly. Her scent spikes, and my stomach roils. Was my burger bad?
Across the table, Hunter snorts. “I highly doubt they meant you. You need to be human to qualify, and unfortunately gorgons aren’t allowed.”
It was no secret that Sadie had been bullying Shiloh, constantly comparing him to his twin sister.
I’m ashamed to say that I played my part in that too, getting pulled in and saying hurtful things.
I’d apologized to Shiloh and Zale so many times since and obviously it was only because of my friendship with Zale that I was being included.
Still, I was going to be a bondparent. They were trusting me with their child.
Soren chuckles, quickly covering it with a pathetic cough.
Sadie might have been humbled by Millie’s fall from grace, but she was still a top dog amongst the other omegas at Oakley.
Getting on the wrong side of her wasn't something that should be done lightly and the pretty omega knows it, leaning into Hunter’s side to hide his face.
Clicking her tongue, Sadie looks over Hunter, her lip curled. “Well, that also rules you out since you're always hovering around my man like a vulture.”
“Because we’re friends, you fool.” Hunter arches his brow, taking a long drag of his soda through the straw, cheeks hollowed as he sucks before placing it down harder than necessary.
Sadie inhales, and I know she’s about to go off on one of her tirades, her scent spiking with a bitterness and right now this isn’t the time or place. This is about Zale and Shiloh. When she opens her mouth, I use it as an opportunity to push her off my lap finally.
“Sadie, cut it out.”
She stumbles to her feet with an indignant squawk, Sage helping her get upright and balanced. With her hands on her hips, she glares at Hunter before looking back at me with a half-smile. “Sorry babe, you know he just gets under my skin. Especially after Crest Haven.”
I can feel Hunter’s gaze on me now, searing my skin as Sadie brings up the thing we said we wouldn’t talk about any more.
Scrubbing the back of my neck, I look down at the floor as I say, “This is a happy occasion, I think it’s best if you and Sage go. Besides, we’re pretty much done here anyway.”
Her sharp blue eyes turn on me, “Are you serious right now?”
“Yeah. I mean, I’m pretty beat after the game.
So, I’m just gonna head home.” I can hear the excuses tumbling from my lips as I try to diffuse the situation.
It’s not even a lie, I’m too tired for this.
Between trying not to notice Hunter watching me, and making sure she doesn’t lose her cool, I was done. “I’ll call you.”
She sighs, crossing her arms. “Promise?”
I nod, which she sees as an invitation to grab my chin, tilting my face up to hers before kissing me deeply. It’s a sloppy kiss, her pheromones oozing out, but beneath it all I can smell spiced oranges and paint.
Someone coughs awkwardly.
“Some male parrots vomit into their female mates' mouths as a form of bonding. It’s a parrot version of kissing,” Hunter says, sounding board as he shakes his cup, rattling the ice.
Blake snorts, while someone else, Shiloh I think, makes a retching noise.