Wyatt sagged into the wall, the tightness in his chest easing. Hazel looked at him. He nodded, so she opened the door.
Sam stepped into the dingy bathroom, glancing at Wyatt. “I know I look like crap,” Wyatt said. “Don’t judge.”
But Sam only frowned, shutting the door behind him. “What happened? Where’s Raph?”
Wyatt shrugged, his cheeks prickling. Sam had never been keen on the relationship, ever since Wyatt found out about the pregnancy. And maybe he was right to be wary of it, when Raph had disappeared somewhere, too far away to help.
“Max was here,” Hazel whispered, glancing at the door.
Sam paled. “That bastard was here?”
Hazel nodded. “I think he might’ve seen us. We hid in here.”
“Damn it,” Sam muttered. “You brought your dad away?”
“As fast as I could.”
“Great job,” Sam said, ruffling her hair. “Thanks, kid. How are you, Wy?”
Wyatt stepped into Sam’s arms, pressing his face into Sam’s shoulder.
Sam wore the yellow apron from the drive-in. He smelled like dahlia and omega, like broth from the kitchen. He wasn’t supposed to be here. But he’d dropped work to help Wyatt, and Wyatt was unspeakably grateful for him. For Sam teaching Hazel how to recognize Max, and how to get them both away to safety.
“I thought he left town,” Wyatt mumbled.
“He did. I’ve been checking his Facebook ever since the night he stopped by.” Sam hugged him, his grip tightening on Wyatt’s shoulders. “Gods, I’d shred him to pieces for you, Wy.”
Wyatt chuckled. “You aren’t the only one. Raph wants to, as well.”
“Where’s Raph?” Sam leaned away, scrutinizing him. “I haven’t seen him in weeks.”
Wyatt sighed. Hazel tapped on her phone. “Uncle Raph said he’s busy. But he sent me a dog picture yesterday.”
“He did?” Wyatt lifted his head, peering at her screen. “Why don’t I get dog pictures from him?”
In a text message from Raph, there was a picture of a beagle—probably something Raph had found on the internet. With it, Raph had sent, If your dad allows it, we’ll get a dog sometime.
Sam rolled his eyes. “You don’t get the dog pics, you get the dick pics.”
Wyatt groaned, hiding his scorching face. He couldn’t deny that. But it was also something he’d kept out of sight of everyone else. “Not what we’re talking about, Sam.”
“I’m your best friend. We talk about everything.”
Except Sam wasn’t exactly Wyatt’s best friend anymore. Not when Wyatt had been chatting with Raph, listening to him, probing him for the little intimate details of his life. And Raph had been learning Wyatt inside and out, discussing his problems at work, showing Wyatt the newest recipes he glimpsed on Facebook.
Maybe that was what couples did with each other. But Wyatt had also been sacrificing the time he spent with Sam, so he could have more of Raph. It was selfish. Sam had been there for Wyatt for years, and this was how Wyatt repaid him. And Raph had all but disappeared from Wyatt’s life.
He pulled away from Sam, disgusted with himself.
“Ready to go?” Sam asked, looking Wyatt over. Wyatt nodded.
They left by the back doors of the grocery store, Sam scouting out the place first, with Hazel and Wyatt bringing up the rear. It was only when they were all in Sam’s car, that Wyatt relaxed, sinking low in his seat in case someone recognized him from the outside. They’d go home, and Wyatt would stay with Hazel until he calmed down.
“Have you told your mom and dad about the baby?” Sam asked, glancing at Wyatt as he drove.
“Neither.” Wyatt rubbed his belly. Would the baby look more like him, or Raph? Or would it be a mix—maybe it would have Raph’s black hair, and Wyatt’s hazel eyes. “Gods, Sam. They must be furious with me. Raph said he told our mom, but I haven’t visited since... three months ago. Before I started to show.”
“Look, if Raph isn’t going to be your alpha, at some point... you’d want to tell your parents you’re pregnant. I’m sure they’d want to know.”
Wyatt groaned. “No, I don’t think they will.”
But even as he said that, he imagined his mom’s delighted smile, his dad reaching out to carry his grandchild like he did with Hazel.
“You don’t have to mention Raph,” Sam said. “Your parents can just know you’re expecting.”
Wyatt imagined standing on his parents’ doorstep, surprise on his father’s face. Chief Fleming would want to know who his alpha was, so he could do a surreptitious background check.
“You know my dad,” Wyatt said. “You had to pass security clearance when I told him you’re my best friend.”
Sam made a face. “You know they’re going to want to know, at some point.”
He was right. Wyatt leaned back into his seat, trying not to think about his parents. His thoughts drifted to Max, and his heart thudded again.
Maybe visiting his mom wouldn’t be a bad idea. If Grandma wasn’t home, seeing his parents would soothe his anxiety. Maybe. “I... I suppose I could visit. Right now.”
Sam glanced over. “Are you sure?”
Wyatt twisted his fingers together. No, he wasn’t sure. But if there was a good reason to visit... It would probably be now. And maybe Mom would send him and Hazel home after they were done. He breathed in, then out. “I guess I am. I just have to... see if my Grandma’s around.”
“Good plan.”
They were quiet through the drive. Wyatt’s heart thudded when they approached the tall iron gates, Grandma’s carefully-crafted lawns sweeping around the mansion. The butler answered the intercom, and they began the winding ascent up the driveway.
“Gods, I never liked this place,” Wyatt mumbled, hugging himself. And he was still out of milk, and cereal. Damn it.
“You don’t have to stay for long,” Sam said. “I’m sure your mom and dad would appreciate a visit.”
They really would. “I’d talked about this with Raph. We’d agreed to tell Dad the news together.”
Sam narrowed his eyes. “Where’s Raph when you needed him,
