Max stepped around Raph, jerking his chin at Wyatt. “He’s my omega.”
“He isn’t anymore.” Raph moved to shield Wyatt again, jaw clenched.
“Is he yours, then?”
And the voices carried to the few patrons who had looked over, watching their exchange. Wyatt closed his eyes, wishing he could hide his face. Raph shouldn’t be there. Especially when the news could spread, and Raph could lose his job.
Raph didn’t answer Max. And maybe that silence was far too incriminating.
“He has a sick little soul,” Max said, eyes glittering, lips curling into a smirk. “Let’s hope that baby doesn’t turn out the same.”
Raph’s knuckles whitened. He looked as though he might murder Max right there; Wyatt wouldn’t have minded. It would land them both in jail, though, and there wouldn’t be anyone to care for Hazel.
He breathed in deep, trying to shove all his thoughts away. When Wyatt cracked his eyes open, Max threw him a smirk, turned, and stepped out of the restaurant.
It was only when Max had gotten into his car and driven off, that Raph turned away from the front door. Wyatt sucked in a breath, his hands trembling.
Raph returned to his side. “You okay?”
“I will be.” Wyatt cleared his throat. “I just—just have to get this order in.”
Except he could only remember half the order now, and the details were slipping through his fingers like water. What kind of boss was he? He couldn’t even get an order right.
Raph set his hand on the small of Wyatt’s back, guiding him to the order screen. The colorful buttons swam in his vision. He couldn’t remember the order at all, now. All he could remember was Max’s smirk. “I can’t do it.”
“That’s fine,” Raph said. “Which table was it? I’ll get Mina to take the order again.”
Wyatt groaned. “24. They won’t be happy if you do that. We’re supposed to be providing good service, Raph.”
“Better than fucking up their food.” Raph steered him away from the screen, and Wyatt followed bonelessly, his heart pounding too hard. He needed to get away from here. Scrub off Max’s oily stare. Burrow himself in Raph’s chest and not think at all.
He needed to cry, let his tears wash everything else away.
He pasted on a smile when Hazel’s booth came into sight. She was peering past the side of the seat, half-hiding. Penny was on the other side of the booth, leaning forward with a frown.
Wyatt sagged. Meeting Max had sapped the last of his energy; he didn’t have the strength to explain anything to them.
“You need to go home, Dad,” Hazel said, her brow crinkling with worry. “I can go with you.”
His heart kicked. Would Raph or Penny judge him because Hazel knew? Children weren’t supposed to be exposed to their parents’ breakdowns.
But Raph shook his head. “I’ll take him home. Pen, can you send Hazel home tonight? In about an hour.”
“Sure,” Penny said, frowning. “What happened?”
Wyatt shook his head, so Hazel explained, “Dad had a mood.”
Raph left him at the booth to search out Mina. Wyatt leaned his hip against the table, his throat tight. He didn’t want to think any more about Max. But seeing his ex had reminded him of all the reasons he’d stayed through that abuse—the guilt, and the disgust at himself. He’d tried to seduce his stepbrother.
Tonight, he’d failed to get that order right. He couldn’t face Max, or even move. Raph had to do it for him. And Wyatt was painfully aware of his shortcomings, and Grandma’s snide whispers. Bad children like you are punished. You’ll only be good if you hurt.
“Will you be okay?” Hazel asked, the corners of her lips turning down.
“I will,” Wyatt said, smoothing her hair back. His hands still shook a little. “Aunt Penny will take care of you. I have to go home first tonight, okay? Remember to sleep early.”
“What about you?” Hazel looked around. “Where’s Uncle Raph?”
“Here,” Raph said, stopping behind Wyatt in a faint rush of teak. “See you in the morning, princess.”
They left through the back door, Wyatt swallowing his guilt at leaving his daughter behind. “I’ve never been home earlier than Hazel.”
“You need to rest,” Raph said, sliding his arm around Wyatt’s waist. “I thought you were going to break down back there.”
Wyatt gulped. “I almost did.”
Out in the parking lot, where there were no eyes on him, he could breathe again. Raph pulled him into the shadows behind the building, and held him close. For long moments, Wyatt closed his eyes, and breathed. When he had enough strength to lean away, Raph led him to the car.
“She’s seen that, hasn’t she? Hazel?”
Wyatt grimaced. Which parent would let their child witness a meltdown? Which father had his daughter hold his hand while he cried? “Yeah, she has.”
He ducked his head, certain that Raph would judge him for it. But Raph opened the passenger door, nudging Wyatt inside. Wyatt climbed in gingerly. He felt like he didn’t belong anywhere at all.
Raph leaned into the car, pressing a warm, soft kiss to his lips. “Both of you are so damn strong. I’m proud of you.”
Wyatt’s throat tightened. And Raph kissed him again, his palm caressing Wyatt’s belly. Their baby.
“More later,” Raph whispered against his lips. “Let’s get you home first.”
They pulled out of the parking lot, Wyatt’s hand clasped snugly in Raph’s. It was rare, the two of them alone in Raph’s car, the hum of the engine washing around them. The streetlamps cast moving shadows across their laps. Outside, other cars passed them by, their rumbles muffled. Raph held Wyatt’s hand, his expression soft.
So Wyatt asked, “Will you slap me tonight?”
The car swerved slightly. “What?”
Wyatt blushed. He’d been thinking about it, ever since the first time he’d asked Raph that question. Maybe Max was right, and he really did have a twisted soul. But he needed the rush of shame, needed the catharsis that crying brought him. “Is it terrible of me to ask for that?”
Raph was silent for a while. “I don’t understand why
