He leaned back in his seat, glancing at his phone. At the lack of his attention, Hazel returned to her homework. Raph studied her discreetly, wondering how Wyatt had managed not to think about his ex, with his daughter so present in his life.
But maybe Wyatt was haunted by Max, just like he sometimes drifted off, thinking about his grandmother.
Raph swallowed, turning his phone around in his hands. He’d screwed up so badly with his stepbrother. It had been fear—he’d let Wyatt run off the first few days, trying to call him in private, unwilling to disrupt the rest of the family.
All it had taken was a look from Grandma, and one line: Bring him back, and all of you will be living on the streets. Their parents had worried. Over the next few days, Wyatt had sent Mom some messages. Don’t worry about me. I’m staying with a friend.
Raph should’ve done things differently. Should’ve stayed in Meadowfall, instead of leaving to enroll in Highton’s college. Should’ve come back to look for Wyatt, instead of hanging his head in shame. What good did apologizing do? Raph had failed to protect his brother. Wyatt had recovered, rebuilt his life.
Watching Hazel, Raph realized that his guilt still lingered. And he’d put a baby in Wyatt’s belly, thrown Wyatt’s life into more upheaval.
What kind of a sick alpha am I? Wy doesn’t deserve to be hurt again. If he stayed... would he disappoint Wyatt a second time?
Disgusted, Raph slid out of the booth. Hazel glanced up at him.
“I’m leaving,” Raph said. “Say hi to your dad for me.”
“But you haven’t talked to him.” Hazel chewed on the end of her pencil. “He’ll be here in a bit—you just have to be patient. Uncle Sam will get you a drink if you ask.”
“Maybe next time.”
It occurred to Raph that Wyatt wasn’t earning anything from Hazel’s table tonight. So he pulled out his wallet, stopping by the register to tuck two twenties into the tip jar. Budget’s gonna kick my ass again.
“That’s generous,” a low, lilting voice said to his side.
Raph couldn’t smell the magnolia past the heavy scent of broth, but his heart quickened anyway. He turned.
Wyatt smiled, hands tucked behind his back. Unlike the other servers with their yellow aprons, he was dressed like a manager, with a sleek white shirt and dark pants, and leather shoes that gleamed in the soft lamplight.
“I pass the inspection?” Wyatt murmured.
“Yeah.” Hard to say more when his throat was suddenly dry.
Up close, Raph realized that there were faint shadows under Wyatt’s eyes. His expression was bright, dulled slightly by fatigue. Why are you working today? Raph wanted to pull him close, make him sit and rest. But Wyatt stood straight, determined to leave a good impression, and Raph’s heart swelled for him.
“I didn’t think you were leaving so soon,” Wyatt said. “When did you arrive?”
“Couple minutes ago.”
“Only?” Wyatt licked his lips. Raph dragged his eyes away from Wyatt’s tongue. And was promptly distracted by the silvery mark on his neck, a hint of the new scar just by his collar. My omega.
Over the past weeks, Wyatt had been picking at the scab. Raph had been nudging his hand away so the bite mark could heal. Looking at Wyatt, Raph’s shame and anger faded away. Wyatt wanted him here. Maybe he’d forgive Raph at some point, if Raph made it up to him enough.
“You might want to stop staring,” Wyatt murmured. “I have patrons to see to.”
And maybe leaving right now wasn’t the greatest idea. Not when Raph wanted to pull Wyatt close, kiss him on the lips.
“When do you get off?” he asked.
Wyatt sighed. “Closing shift. Maybe 1:30.”
“I can send Hazel back.”
“I don’t want to trouble you.”
Raph rolled his eyes. “She’s my niece—it’s no big deal.”
Wyatt’s eyes crinkled when he smiled. Weariness lingered in the lines of his face, though. Was it because of the pregnancy? “If you are, drop by the kitchen and tell Sam. He’s still pretty suspicious of you.”
Yeah, Wyatt’s best friend had been giving him dubious looks, ever since Raph began asking to take Hazel home. But if Raph got to wait in Wyatt’s apartment after that, and wrap Wy in his arms when he got home, then Raph didn’t mind.
Someone waved from one of the tables. Wyatt waved back, grinning. He turned back to Raph. “I’d love to talk more, but I don’t have time right now.”
Raph shrugged. “I’ll wait.”
“See you around.”
Their hands brushed as Wyatt strode off. They couldn’t touch in public, and certainly not at the diner. But the skin contact sent a thrill down Raph’s nerves—a quiet whisper of I want to see you again. Raph hid his smile, ducking into the kitchen.
He found Sam by the industrial fridges, pulling out a tray of thinly-sliced beef. Like Wyatt, Sam was omega—slender, pretty, his scent a faint dahlia. He was one of the Brentwood brothers—Raph had seen him in school years back.
Sam turned when Raph approached, his eyes narrowing.
“I spoke to Wyatt,” Raph said. “I’ll send Hazel home tonight. Tomorrow, too.”
“Penny has the night shift tomorrow,” Sam said. “You’d have to talk to her about that.”
Raph tried not to wince. For the past two weeks, he’d been relieving Sam of his babysitting duties—he’d forgotten that Penny was involved. Penny didn’t even know that Raph had been meeting their brother. If she found out... well. She’d flip out. “I’ll do that.”
“Look, I know this isn’t exactly my business,” Sam said, his expression guarded. “But Wy’s told me some of your history. I’d hate for you to hurt him and Hazel.”
It rankled, because Raph had hurt Wyatt. How much did Sam know? “Of course I wouldn’t,” Raph muttered, wanting to growl. “I care for them. They’re my family.”
Sam looked as though he wanted
