Chapter 8 #3
Cheers erupted from the crowd. Xavier was pushed to the gift table where a two-tiered cake sat, candles lit, waiting for him to blow them out.
When Xavi reached his parents’ side, Stacy spoke once more.
“We are so proud of the man our son has become. Somehow he’s been with us for forty years and made each one special.
We love you so much and hope next year is easier for you.
Xavier, you’ve handled this challenging time with grace.
We are proud you stood up for what was right and walked away rather than compromise your values.
We know there is happiness ahead of you.
To your new home and forty years! Happy birthday! ”
“Happy birthday!” we chorused.
Leigh-Anne motioned for Xavier to speak.
“Thank you, Mom, Mama, Kaitlyn, for putting the party together. To anyone who helped, I appreciate it. Today marks my fortieth birthday and also my divorce becoming final. The certificate arrived this morning. It’s been a rough year in places, and I’d have never gotten through it without my friends and family beside me.
” He caught my eye. “Things have been looking up recently. Long may they continue!”
Everyone cheered. Soon Xavier was cut off from my line of sight with everyone surrounding him. I didn’t mind and withdrew to the food table. I picked up some carrot sticks and spooned some hummus onto a plate.
Xavier was divorced. Gio was out of his life. Where did it leave me? What did I want to happen now?
I stood, munching on my snacks watching Xavi work the crowd.
Malik handed Sora, his baby, over to her honorary uncle, and I watched with a growing feeling of unease at how natural Xavi looked with a baby in his arms. He carried the little darling around for a few minutes with an effortlessness that spoke of experience.
His sweet smile he bestowed on Sora, made my heart hurt.
Xavi was made to be a father. What if I couldn’t give him kids?
It took me a moment to register Xavier beside me. “You okay?” I glanced at the crowd noticing Sora back with her parents.
“Yeah, just thinking.”
He wrapped his arms around me. “Let’s not think anymore tonight. Will you stay after the party, I mean?”
“Okay.”
“Come help me blow these candles out, then.”
The rest of the party passed in a blur of good food, plenty of alcohol and conversation until we were the only ones left in the house.
His parents had helped us clean up before leaving.
I already loved them, which terrified me.
What I felt for Xavier scared me because I didn’t trust it.
My instincts were at war. I knew he felt something for me, but didn’t think it was enough to keep us together when Gio had lost him.
Gio with twelve years of loving Xavier, had still managed to fumble things.
I was too in my head. One too many of Stacy’s drinks had muddled my thoughts and given me the sads. This was why I didn’t drink often.
“C’mon, you’ve had too many of Mama’s special iced teas to go home now.” Xavier helped me to the bathroom, gave me a toothbrush, and watched me brush. “I’m glad you came to the party. It wouldn’t have been the same without you.”
We didn’t have sex that night. Neither of us was sober enough for it, something I’d regret later, and not just from the hangover. Xavi just held me close the entire night. In the morning, I snuck out of his house into the cool morning air.
On the doorstep was a gift. The tag read, “Happy birthday, my love. Always, Gio.” The sight of it was a stark reminder that even though they had been separated for nearly ten months, he was still hanging onto Xavier. The divorce didn’t seem to matter to him at all.
I was still feeling nauseous when I got home. I barely made it inside to vomit when I read the text from the strange number.
Unknown
Xavier is still mine. You need to step back. You’ll never give him what he wants or needs. Soon he’ll come around and we’ll be happy again.
I flushed the toilet and rinsed my mouth as I figured out what I was going to say. My hands shook as I typed out my reply.
Brady
He doesn’t want to be with you. You’re divorced. Move on.
Gio
We’ve broken up before. He’ll come back when he realizes I’ve got a family, the kids he’s always wanted, just waiting for him to see sense. An omega like you is worthless. We’ve got too much history to throw it away for a dud omega. Do yourself a favor and move on before you get hurt.
They’d broken up before? Was I just someone to pass time with before he picked up with Gio again? My mind flashed back to the times we were together before it all fell apart. There had always been a bond between them I worried I’d never be a part of.
My mind flashed back to Xavier holding Sora and how happy he had looked. Gio was right. There was every chance I couldn’t give Xavier a baby. Did I want to waste precious time with someone who might ditch me to return to his ex?
Once I steadied myself, I took the test I’d kept in the cabinet. I blocked the new number while I waited for the minutes to countdown.
Negative.