Wyatt took the clipboard from her, glancing at the form. He’d changed addresses and phone numbers since his pregnancy with Hazel—a good thing. But it also meant staring at the “Alpha’s name” field, the name he wanted to write too scandalous for words.
With a hand on Wyatt’s back, Raph guided him to the waiting area, nodding for him to sit. To anyone else, they could be friends, or brothers. They certainly didn’t have to be bonded step-siblings. But Wyatt’s heart quickened anyway. Aside from last night at the drive-in, he and Raph hadn’t been affectionate in public at all.
Wyatt filled in the rest of the blanks. Then he looked at the field for his alpha’s name, his heart pattering.
“You don’t have to,” Raph said. “I don’t mind.”
“I’ll just... list you as an emergency contact,” Wyatt said, a bitter taste on his tongue. By not acknowledging Raph, it felt like Wyatt was disappointing him.
Raph caught his hand, giving him a quick squeeze. “You don’t have to prove anything to them,” he said. “You know, and I know. That’s fine.”
It was such a shame, too, when his alpha was the best person Wyatt could ever hope for. He swallowed his uncertainty, handing the clipboard back to the receptionist. She glanced over the form and smiled. “You’re all set with your registration, Mr. Fleming. Please have a seat.”
“I’ve never asked,” Raph murmured when Wyatt settled next to him. “How’d you raise Hazel by yourself?”
Wyatt smiled wryly. “With sheer determination.”
Raph rolled his eyes. “C’mon, Wy. Not what I was asking.”
“Are you saying I lack determination?”
“Want a slap for talking back?” Raph smirked.
Wyatt’s cock twitched. Gods, this isn’t the right time. His face warmed, and Raph’s eyebrows crawled up his forehead. “Maybe later,” Wyatt said. “Don’t make promises you aren’t keeping.”
“Fine. I won’t.” Raph smiled sheepishly. “But answer my question.”
“I had help,” Wyatt said. “I met Sam before I dropped out of college, so he and Penny knew I was pregnant—”
“Did Pen tell Mom and Dad?”
“Surprisingly, no. I told her it was an accident and I didn’t want to talk about it.”
Raph’s eyes darkened. “You know, they still think Hazel’s an accident.”
Wyatt squirmed. That lie, he didn’t feel bad about. Especially when Mom and Dad talked about Hazel’s pregnancy with Hazel around. “Yeah, I do. I’d rather not have them know about... well, you know.”
It was better to hear about your mystery dad without knowing who he was, than knowing the sort of sick bastard you shared your genes with. At least, Wyatt thought so.
“I understand,” Raph said. His lips were still in a thin line.
“Anyway, they lent me money. I worked a couple jobs and paid them when I could.”
“I should’ve—”
“You need to stop apologizing for that,” Wyatt said, glancing around. The couples in the waiting area were absorbed in their own conversations. “That’s in the past, Raph. I’m stronger for it.”
Raph’s eyes gleamed with a quiet sort of pride, that warmed Wyatt from the inside. Raph looked between Wyatt’s hand, and the other couples. Wyatt understood. There was a risk if they touched too much in public. But no one was watching them right now.
So he took Raph’s hand and gave him a squeeze, savoring his warmth.
It seemed so easy for the other couples, people who weren’t related to each other. Of all the billions of alphas in the world... Wyatt had to fall for his stepbrother. What were the odds of that? Had Meadowfall even seen such a relationship?
“Let’s look at stuffed animals,” he said, shoving those thoughts out of his mind.
Raph grinned, pulling his phone out. “Do you want one for yourself, or the baby? You used to have a bunch of tigers and lions.”
“I want a stuffed cow,” Wyatt said. He’d given Hazel a number of toys over the years, and sometimes he borrowed a couple, hugging them to sleep. “For... the baby.”
“Sure.” Raph’s eyes glimmered, a smile tugging at his lips. “We’ll get each of you one. That way, you don’t have to share.”
Wyatt stifled his laugh. “You like teasing me, don’t you?”
“Depends on when.” Raph’s voice dipped to a low murmur, sending a thrill down Wyatt’s spine.
They scrolled through different websites, looking at various stuffed cows. Wyatt was beginning to imagine a nursery of animal and flower drawings—maybe Hazel would want to help with the murals on the walls. He was about to mention the idea, when Raph’s phone buzzed.
From the top of the screen, a preview of the incoming text message slid down.
Raphael Fleming, your next payment is due in 7 days. Amount due: $5,735.42. Payoff amount: $156,188...
Wyatt’s stomach dropped. $156,000? That’s insane. Worse than all of Hazel’s bills.
“Ah, shit.” Raph flicked the preview away, grimacing.
“You didn’t—didn’t mention that.”
But it was so clear now, why Raph avoided discussions of their future. It wasn’t that he didn’t want their baby; Raph hadn’t wanted to burden Wyatt with a debt like that.
All Wyatt could think about was how Raph had kept this a secret from him, just like how Max had lied about being sterile.
Stop thinking about Max.
Raph’s cheeks darkened. “You don’t need to deal with shit like that.”
“I’m your—I should’ve known it anyway, Raph.” Wyatt frowned, his pulse thudding. They’d been fucking for five entire months. They were even talking to Hazel about marriage. “Is that the only one?”
“Yeah. Just this.” Raph’s gaze was honest. “We shouldn’t be discussing it here.”
So they weren’t a million dollars in debt, at least.
“Fine,” Wyatt said, sucking in a breath. But it made sense now, why Raph had hedged on quitting his job. Moving to Meadowfall. He couldn’t afford to. And maybe it was embarrassing, for an alpha to be too poor to pay for a baby. Wyatt understood that. “I’m just saying I can help. You don’t have to deal with that alone.”
“I can’t.” Raph frowned. “You have your business to worry about.”
“I’m turning profits. I can make it work,” Wyatt said. “Maybe not
