I don’t know. Wyatt glanced down at his phone. No text message, or calls from Raph. For someone who had promised to be around... Raph wasn’t, not anymore. And it stung.
“You need someone better than him, Wy. Someone who treats you better. Or I’ll help with the baby—it’s practice for me, anyway.”
“I thought you don’t want children.”
Sam shrugged, looking away. He rarely talked about his past, but Wyatt had never seen him with an alpha, either. “Experience is always good,” Sam said. “I helped with Hazel, remember?”
“Yeah. I’m forever in your debt for that.”
“Pfft. Count it as a gift. It’s not like I had money to buy you something for your baby shower.”
“I’ve never even had a baby shower.” Wyatt looked down at his belly, his heart aching. With Raph, he’d hoped to have a better home for his newborn. A father who was more present, a permanent place they could call home.
Had Raph been serious about staying? Or was he slowly leaving Wyatt, like Max had promised every alpha would?
Wyatt watched as the foreboding mansion drew closer, the front door opening. He held his breath, heart thumping. Then his mom stepped out, and Wyatt sagged into the seat. “I’ll ask Mom if my grandma’s here,” Wyatt said. “Maybe... if Grandma isn’t here, maybe Hazel and I can stay for a while longer.”
Sam slanted him a dubious look. “If you’re sure. I do have to get back to the drive-in.”
Wyatt sighed. There was that. “I don’t think I can come in today. Have you checked the roster?”
“Yeah. We’ll survive without your help, Wy. It’s not like you’ll have much time there when the baby’s born.”
“I can help!” Hazel said from the back seat.
Wyatt met her eyes in the mirror. He’d talked with Raph briefly about her skating out to take orders—risky, when it wasn’t legal for her to work yet. “There’s no need for you to, hon.”
“Leave it to the big guys,” Sam said, winking at her. “The Drive-In’s gonna be all fine.”
“Fine,” Hazel said, pouting.
Wyatt reached over, squeezing Sam’s hand. “I owe you so much.”
“You can pay me back some other time.” Sam grinned lopsidedly, and Wyatt hoped Sam would find more stability in his life, too, instead of working at the college bookstore in the day, and the drive-in at night.
Mom hurried down the front steps as they pulled up. Wyatt squirmed. He hadn’t told her about the pregnancy. Whatever she knew, it had been through Raph. And maybe she was still angry with him, after he’d kept quiet about both his children. Heavens knew how much he’d disappointed his parents.
He opened the car door carefully, not daring to breathe when she approached. Hazel flung open the back door and jumped out. “Grandma!”
Mom stooped to hug Hazel. “How are you doing, Big Girl?”
“I’m great,” Hazel said. “I got full marks for art class in school.”
“That’s fantastic! I’m proud of you.” Mom kissed Hazel’s forehead, before looking over Hazel’s shoulder at Wyatt, her eyebrows raised. Wyatt’s pulse pattered. And now he felt like a child again, doing all the things he wasn’t supposed to.
Wyatt pushed the car door fully open, stepping out. Mom’s gaze fell promptly to his belly, and he felt huge, being studied like that. Even if he was only six months pregnant. His cheeks heated. “Hi, Mom.”
She stepped over and pulled him into a hug, smelling like chrysanthemum and cookies and Mom. Wyatt’s throat tightened. “I’ve missed seeing you,” Mom said quietly, rubbing his back. “Raph told me.”
Well, Raph wasn’t around right now. This wasn’t what they’d planned, and Wyatt felt a twinge of guilt for keeping his pregnancy secret. “I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have to be.” Mom pulled away slightly, kissing his cheek. Then she smiled, all warmth in her eyes. “I’m just glad you visited. It’s been a while since your dad and I saw you.”
“Is—is Grandma around?” he asked, his stomach flipping.
Mom shook her head. “No, she’s out. In Highton, I believe.”
Gods knew what she was doing in Highton on a Saturday, but that was fine. It was good. Wyatt sagged with relief, his nervous pulse slowing. “So... she’ll be back late? Can Hazel and I stay?”
Mom’s face lit up. “You’re absolutely welcome to stay for dinner. I just wish your grandma wasn’t around quite so much.”
He felt the same. “Thank you.” Wyatt leaned into the car, shooting Sam a weary grin. “Mom says Hazel and I can stay. We’ll be fine.”
“That’s good.” Sam glanced around. “How will you guys get home, though? Your car’s still in the grocery parking lot.”
“I’ll get my dad to drop us off, or something.” Wyatt tried not to wince; he didn’t know how Dad would react. “Or I’ll call Penny. It’ll be fine.”
“Call me if there’s an emergency,” Sam said. “I’ll do what I can.”
“Thanks.” Wyatt reached over to hug him. “I owe you so much.”
“I’ll expect your help in the future, then.” Sam winked. “Anytime, Wy.”
Wyatt backed out of the car, closed the doors, and watched as Sam drove down the driveway.
“What’s for dinner?” Hazel asked, turning to Wyatt’s mom.
“We’re thinking of some baked potatoes and a pork roast. How does that sound?”
“I want to help,” Hazel said. “Dad lets me make scrambled eggs.”
“Really?” Mom glanced at Wyatt, lifting an eyebrow.
“I taught Hazel my secret scrambled egg recipe.” Wyatt shrugged, smiling. Mom hadn’t frowned, or begrudged him about the pregnancy. She knew the baby was Raph’s. And yet... “You really don’t mind?” Wyatt asked, touching his belly. “I thought... you might want to disown me. Or maybe Dad would.”
“Oh, Wyatt.” Mom pulled him back into her arms. “You’re still my son. I am upset—” Wyatt held his breath “—but that’s because I have an idea about the difficulties you might face.”
“We’ve talked about moving out of Meadowfall. Raph wants to quit his job and move here, though.”
Mom frowned. “He hasn’t mentioned that to me.”
Wyatt froze. Why didn’t you? I thought you trust Mom enough to tell her things.
Or did Raph not plan to leave his job at
