“And she just accepted it? Her dad and uncle sleeping together?” Penny grimaced.
“Who we sleep with is none of her business.” Raph tensed. “And it’s none of yours, either. If you can’t accept that, fine. But quit giving Wy bullshit in his own home.”
Wyatt’s throat tightened. He hadn’t expected Raph to speak up on his behalf. “We don’t have to talk about this now.”
“I’m just making it clear,” Raph growled, holding Wyatt’s hand. “You’re my bondmate. You’re carrying my child. I won’t leave you just because someone says this is wrong.”
“You aren’t... aren’t aborting it?” Penny winced.
“Fuck, no.” Raph glared. “That’s our baby, Pen. If you can’t deal with it, leave.”
Penny flinched, as though Raph had slapped her.
Wyatt looked down at his flat belly. I hope that there’ll be a lot less hate around when you’re born. Your dad and I love you.
It was comforting, knowing that Raph wanted this child just as much as he did.
Penny backed away, glancing at the rest of the apartment. “I was just here to talk about the auditions. That’s all.”
She looked down at her hands, then at the toilet, and Wyatt. Wyatt’s heart sank at the hurt on her face. He thought he might feel the same, if it had been Raph and Penny who were having a baby instead. But that would’ve been so much simpler, wouldn’t it? He wouldn’t have to worry about being ostracized.
“Sorry,” he said. “I wasn’t sure how else to break the news to you. But for what it’s worth, Raph brought his violin. He hasn’t played in two years, but he said he’d try for my sake.”
Penny looked at Raph, her expression hesitant.
“I’ll be here on the weekends.” Raph shrugged. “Probably the rest of this week, too.”
Wyatt turned to him. “You are?”
Raph’s lips pulled into a crooked smile. “You looked like you were gonna fall over last night. If you’re gonna put yourself through that, I’ll come pick you up.”
“It’s an hour’s drive to Meadowfall.” Wyatt winced. “You aren’t making that trip every night.”
“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
