When he pulled away, he found Harris watching them. Didn’t really have to explain things, when it was obvious the tension between him and Sam had eased.
Harris cracked a smile. Valen felt a different part of himself relax. He’d made Harris proud.
He sat back in his seat, only now noticing the thin box Harris was holding. “So... the pregnancy test.”
Sam cringed. “I was not prepared for a baby.”
“We’ll stand by you with whatever decision you make,” Harris said, squeezing Sam’s hand. He looked kindly at Sam, a hint of guilt on his face.
Valen squirmed. He should’ve used a condom. Shouldn’t be ruining Sam’s life again. But the thought of his baby growing in Sam’s belly... he could get used to that. Sam was his. The baby, too.
Harris started up the truck, pulling out of the parking lot. Valen squeezed Sam’s thigh. Nuzzled his cheek. “Are we really okay?” he whispered. Just to be sure, in case Sam decided he still wanted to leave.
“I think so,” Sam said quietly. He touched Valen’s thigh, then looked at Harris. “I don’t want to impose on the both of you.”
“We want you here with us,” Valen said, kissing Sam’s jaw. He slipped his arms around Sam’s waist, dragging his wrist down Sam’s side, down his legs. Didn’t want to let his omega go.
Across the bench seat, Harris smiled, but said nothing. Unease whispered down Valen’s spine.
If Harris really wanted Sam with them, he would’ve said something to agree. What the hell had he meant last night, then, when he’d talked about the three of them together? Was he pissed that Valen hadn’t included him in the blowjob? Or had Valen fixed his relationship with Sam better than Harris expected?
Heart thudding, Valen waited until they got back to the mansion. Held Sam’s hand as they walked into the house, watching Harris from the corner of his eye.
“The bathroom’s just down the hall,” Harris said, handing Sam the pregnancy test kit. “Give us a yell if you need any help.”
Sam smiled at Harris, glanced at Valen, then hurried down the marbled foyer, closing the heavy bathroom door behind him.
“What’s wrong?” Valen asked as Harris shut the front door. “You’ve been quiet all the way home.”
Harris met his eyes, shrugging.
Despite the eight months they’d been dating, it was frustratingly hard to read Harris sometimes. He was solemn. Quiet. Didn’t speak his mind unless the situation called for it. And sometimes he yelled at Valen when Valen fucked up. Harris wasn’t yelling now, though.
“You’re jealous of Sam?” Valen asked, holding his breath. Didn’t want to lose what he had with Harris by stepping out of bounds.
Harris shrugged, slipping his arm around Valen’s waist. “Nah.”
“Then why the long face?” Valen leaned back, trying to read his gaze. “You’re mad that I made up with him?”
“Glad, actually.” Didn’t seem like Harris was lying, with those calm eyes.
It didn’t make sense. If anything, Harris should be panicking about the baby. Unless...
Valen glanced at the leather couches to the side, the flat-screen TV in one corner. Looked back at Harris. “You want me to get together with him? And leave you?”
Harris shrugged, flashing a crooked smile. “I’ve told you, V. I’m old enough to be your dad. You’re better off with someone your age.”
Valen’s stomach dropped. Yeah, he remembered that. “This doesn’t mean we’re breaking up, does it?”
Harris breathed in, then out. Glanced at the bathroom door. He wasn’t saying anything about not breaking up. Valen stared incredulously at him. Don’t I matter to you?
Harris wet his lips. “If Sam is pregnant, I will take responsibility for the baby.”
“But you can’t just leave me,” Valen snarled. “We’ve been seeing each other eight months, Harris.”
“And now you’ve found someone better suited to you.”
The hell was Harris talking about? It wasn’t like Valen wanted to leave either him or Sam. He dug his fingers into Harris’ hair, yanked him close so their mouths crashed together. “I’m hanging on to you,” Valen growled, an angry heat roiling through his chest. “I can damn well make my own decisions.”
“Not always, you can’t.” Harris met his eyes. “You’ve disobeyed my orders thrice at the station.”
Valen’s breath froze in his chest. “That’s enough to make you break things off?”
“Almost.” Harris wasn’t joking now, either. “I want you to value your life. That means listening when I give you those orders.”
“You’re threatening me with that?”
“All I’m saying is I want you to be careful.” Harris narrowed his eyes. “If Sam is pregnant, then you have a child to consider. No more disobeying my orders.”
“And let you handle the compromised structures?”
“Yes.”
Valen met his eyes, his indignation swelling. Too much emotion to put into words. “I can’t let you do that. I don’t want to lose you.”
“You think I want to lose you?”
So it came down to this—both of them in risky jobs, neither of them wanting the other to take the risk.
“I’m not leaving the station,” Valen said.
“Neither am I.”
They stared each other down, but Valen knew that Harris wouldn’t budge on this. Neither would he.
“You’re better for Sam than I am,” Valen said.
Harris snorted. “I’m old, V.”
“And I’m young and stupid.” Valen released Harris, frowning. “To be honest, I don’t know why you’re staying with me.”
Harris smirked, then. Caught Valen’s chin, studying him. “You’re good. But there’s better for you out there.”
That was it? Because he believed Valen needed someone else?
Bullshit, Valen wanted to say.
They both turned as Sam stepped out of the bathroom, the pregnancy test kit balanced carefully in one hand. “I have seven minutes left on this,” Sam said. “I’ve got a timer going.”
Harris released Valen, turning to Sam. Valen hauled Harris back by the nape, kissed him hard. Slipped briefly into Harris’ mouth.
“That’s how I feel about you,” Valen murmured against his lips. “I don’t care if you’re old, or if you’re alpha. I want you in my life.”
Harris froze against him. Then he chuckled, his breath puffing over Valen’s cheek.
