“I will, if it’s gonna stop you from crashing your car.”
Raph met his eyes, his gaze solemn. He wasn’t kidding. And Wyatt wasn’t sure what he’d do with Raph, with his generosity, his sheer love. He swallowed, his chest too tight.
“I can send Wyatt home,” Penny blurted. Raph glanced at her, his eyebrow raised. “Really. I mean... Wyatt’s my brother, too.”
“I can trust you to drive, at least,” Raph said.
Penny winced. “Yes. I mean, I won’t if you don’t want me to. I just... I’m sorry. I didn’t know you cared that much about each other.”
“Yeah, well.” Raph turned to Wyatt. “Your call. You’re getting chauffeured home at night. Either that, or you leave the drive-in at 9 PM. Or I’ll pick you up at 9. You’re not working full days until the fatigue wears off.”
Wyatt opened his mouth, unable to help his disbelieving smile. “I’ll work half-days. I’m not going to trouble either of you.”
“Really?” Raph wrapped his arm around Wyatt’s waist, his gaze intent. “Promise me you’re going to go home if you think you’ll keel over.”
“I promise,” Wyatt said. Penny had her own commitments, and Wyatt couldn’t possibly make Raph drive to Meadowfall every day, just so he could get home safely. That was insane. But so very sweet of Raph to offer. “Neither of you are driving me home.”
“Fine,” Raph said. Then he glanced at Penny, his lips thin. “Look, we figured you might freak if we told you. I don’t need people telling Wy he’s crap, okay? He’s had enough of that.”
Well, Wyatt didn’t know that. He’d thought Raph was just looking out for Hazel. His cheeks prickled.
Penny opened her mouth, then closed it. “I’m sorry—I understand. I won’t get in your way.”
She turned to leave, her gaze downcast. This wasn’t what Wyatt wanted. He loved Penny; she was his sister, and he owed her so much.
He released Raph’s hand, catching Penny by the arm halfway through the living room. “Penny. I’m sorry we didn’t tell you. I really am.”
She looked at him warily, her nostrils flaring. Then her gaze dropped to his neck, and Wyatt knew she’d found Raph’s bonding mark. She looked away. “I don’t know what to think about this,” she admitted. “It’s just... a lot to process at once.”
“I promise we still love you as our sister,” Wyatt said, hoping she would believe him. “We just... Raph is really protective of the baby. And me. That’s all. Please don’t tell Mom and Dad about us. Grandma, too.”
“I promise. You’re really keeping it?” she whispered, glancing past his shoulder, where Raph probably stood.
Wyatt nodded. “I am. I love Raph, but I don’t think it’s the same way you feel about him.”
She bit her lip. “Okay. I should probably return another day. Sorry about breakfast.”
Wyatt sagged, relieved. Maybe this wasn’t turning out so bad, after all. “Don’t worry about it. You mentioned the audition...?”
“I was going to tell you that Dad signed us up for it. But I guess Raph already told you.”
“It would be lovely if you could join us,” Wyatt said, squeezing Penny’s hand.
Penny looked doubtfully at him.
“Really,” he said.
“I’ll think about it.”
He pulled her into a hug, breathing in her lily scent. Maybe she smelled the traces of Raph’s scent on him. And maybe she might think it terrible. He would have to learn to live with her disapproval.
Penny pulled away, giving him a wan smile. “Say hi to Hazel for me. I’ll stop by sometime.”
She slipped out of his arms, smiled again, and left, shutting the door quietly behind herself.
The apartment rang with quiet. Wyatt stared at the door, almost expecting Penny to return. Had she forgotten something? Would she be back?
Raph stopped beside him, his warm fingers slipping into Wyatt’s hand. “How are you feeling?”
“I feel like I’ve screwed this up somehow,” he said, groaning. “Penny isn’t evil. She’s just... she talks too much. We know that. But I think we’ve hurt her, too.”
Raph sighed, pulling Wyatt into a tight hug. “She may be our sister, Wy, but you’re my omega. To me, your feelings come first.”
My omega. Wyatt cracked a smile, leaning into Raph’s chest. Raph was warm, his skin smelling like soap and teak. “You might be the only person who’s ever said that to me.”
“Your feelings coming first?” Raph’s arms circled him like a protective cage, holding him close. “I could’ve sworn Mom might’ve said it.”
“Not that I remember.”
And maybe Mom had been more concerned about fairness and their merging as a family, than how each of them felt. Ever since he’d given birth to Hazel, Wyatt had stopped placing any importance on his own feelings. He wasn’t worth much; Hazel was the one who deserved all his care.
To have Raph consider Wyatt’s feelings important, well. “You’d do better caring for someone else.”
“No.” Raph hugged him tight, his fingers stroking through Wyatt’s hair. “Someone needs to care for you. That’s gonna be me.”
“I’ll have you know that I don’t deserve it.” Wyatt breathed in deep, filling his lungs with Raph’s scent. “Gods, you smell so good.”
“You’re the one carrying our baby,” Raph murmured, kissing his cheek. “You’re my most important person. You’ve probably always been.”
Wyatt’s throat tightened. “I... don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to.”
He pressed his face into Raph’s shoulder, and Raph stroked his back, dropping kisses on his ear.
“Breakfast is ready!” Hazel yelled, racing into the living room. “Wait. Where’s Aunt Penny?”
Wyatt winced. “She had to leave, but she’ll be back another day.”
Hazel thought on his words for a moment. Then her face lit up. “Can I have Aunt Penny’s eggs? I made enough for all of us.”
Raph snorted. “Kids.”
“Sure you can,” Wyatt said. “But not too much! On second thought, maybe I’ll have more eggs, too.”
“More eggs!” Hazel did a little gleeful dance, hopping back into the kitchen.
“Feeding an extra someone?” Raph murmured, catching Wyatt’s earlobe between his teeth. Wyatt shivered, then touched his belly again. The pregnancy felt
