He couldn’t even care for himself. Hazel had to guide him to safety. What kind of omega was he, failing as a father? Why would Raph want him, when Wyatt was this broken? To think he’d snapped at Raph because of the secret debt—Wyatt didn’t deserve someone like Raph at all.
He kept silent, tears tracking itchy paths down his face. Hazel was quiet. Outside, a forklift beeped.
Hazel set one hand on his shoulder, crouching next to him. “Are you okay now?” she whispered.
He shook his head. “Not—not yet.”
“Okay.” She pulled her phone out. “Should I text Uncle Raph?”
Wyatt’s stomach flipped. What would Raph say, if he saw Wyatt like this? Wyatt wasn’t functioning right now. If Raph knew how messed-up Wyatt was... he’d probably leave.
He blinked hard, his chest squeezing tight. He was a father. He had to be strong for Hazel, and the new baby.
With a great effort, Wyatt pushed himself to his feet. He wobbled, then leaned against the whitewashed wall. “I... I can’t drive home right now. Could you text Sam?”
Hazel frowned. “Uncle Raph says I should text him before I text Uncle Sam for help.”
“Why?”
“Because he wants to marry you, and he also wants to be my dad.”
Wyatt bit his lip hard, his throat closing. I didn’t know you told her that. He swallowed, tried to speak, and swallowed again. “Text them both, I guess. Say ‘Dad needs your help right now.’”
Hazel tapped on her phone. “I told them where we are.”
Moments later, her phone buzzed. Wyatt’s heart leaped.
“Uncle Sam replied,” Hazel said. “He’ll be here in ten minutes.”
“Raph?” Wyatt croaked, his heart sinking.
“He didn’t answer.”
Raph had promised to be around for Wyatt. But he was gone, far away and uncontactable, like Wyatt didn’t mean anything to him.
Wyatt closed his eyes, holding the swell of his belly. “That’s—that’s fine. We’ll wait for Sam.”
Hazel stepped up, hugging him from the side. Wyatt pulled her close, and focused on breathing. Things would be okay. Maybe Raph was just busy, and he’d be back at some point. Hopefully sooner than later.
26
Wyatt
Sam knocked on the door some minutes later. Wyatt jumped. He’d thought it might be a grocery store staff at first, or Max, until Sam said, “It’s me.”
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
