“You aren’t wearing an alpha’s scent,” Eric said.
That calmed him. Olivier wasn’t actually on a date with Aaron. This was just some sick joke their brothers had pulled.
Olivier met Eric’s eyes. Asked softly, “You were angry with me, remember?”
Yeah, Eric was.
Eric remembered being in the shop, Olivier saying it was okay that Eric’s mom had been in an accident. But he also remembered the times they’d curled up in bed, Olivier’s eyes scrunched shut with laughter.
Eric’s instincts warred. He should apologize. No, he shouldn’t.
“Ollie,” he said.
Ollie shook his head, turning. “Aaron, please. Can we go home?”
“Wait,” Eric said.
Ollie paused, but just barely. His hands trembled, his chest heaved. Eric left his shirt on Ollie’s lap, sniffing at the one Olivier had been wearing. It smelled like carnation, and it smelled like Eric’s.
Eric had been the one to leave Olivier behind. If he forgave Olivier’s wrongs... “If I said I’m sorry...”
Olivier’s eyes widened. He sucked in a great, shuddering breath. Then he pulled the door shut between them. “No,” Ollie said shakily. “You’re not my alpha, Eric.”
Eric’s heart cracked. I want to be, he realized.
Ollie signaled at the restaurant for the bill. Eric caught his hand. “Ollie—”
Ollie allowed Eric to hold him for a moment. Then he pulled away. “There are better people out there. Find another omega.”
“But the baby—”
“The baby is mine.” His jaw set, Ollie covered his belly with Eric’s clean shirt. “You know you can do better.”
And the realization sank in: it wasn’t just Eric who had broken up with Olivier. Ollie was leaving him behind, too.
“You can’t do this,” Eric croaked, his chest too tight. I thought you loved me.
“Can’t do what?” Ollie laughed, bitter. “We’re through, Eric. Okay?”
Eric had never imagined hearing those words from him. Every single syllable ripped into his heart.
The waitress came skating out of the restaurant. Olivier waved her over, forcing Eric to back away so he could settle the bill.
Where was he getting the money from? Was Olivier doing okay with the shop? Eric didn’t think so. He’d seen the ads for Total Sounds in Meadowfall, and they were enough to crush Olivier’s Strings sooner than later.
“Look, about Total Sounds,” Eric said. “They have a new manager now. They caught pictures of us together. I don’t know who did it.”
Ollie paused in the middle of counting out the bills. He made himself set the money down, then waited for the waitress to clear their trays.
“You brought Total Sounds to Meadowfall,” Olivier said quietly. “You’ve killed my business, Eric.”
Yeah, Eric regretted doing that. But his heart was focused on only one thing.
“I still love you,” Eric blurted.
Olivier’s eyes grew wide. He sucked in a shaky breath, and when he turned away, Eric glimpsed the glisten of tears on his cheeks. “Aaron, please,” Olivier said. “I want to go home.”
“Ollie,” Eric said. Because Ollie still loved him, didn’t he? He still wanted Eric. “Jenn’s been asking for you.”
Olivier wavered, his gaze flickering toward Eric, his entire body taut. “It’s really over, Eric. I’m not coming back.”
Eric’s chest squeezed. “But—”
“No buts.” Olivier looked away stiffly, his eyes sharp as glass. “My business is failing, Eric. And I don’t care about Alice, or your mom.”
Olivier met his gaze then, his lips a thin line. And Eric remembered I wish she was hurt more. I wish she died!
That was who Ollie was. He shouldn’t have forgotten that.
He swallowed, hardening his heart. Maybe he could get over loving Olivier. He’d done it once.
Olivier bowed his head. “Take care. Say hi to Jenn for me. Aaron, please.”
This time, Aaron did start up the car. Eric thought about stopping him, thought about running after them. But what was the point, when he shouldn’t have opened his heart to Olivier in the very first place?
Cole pushed open the passenger side door. “I guess we tried, huh?”
Eric didn’t have the words to answer him. Just watched as Aaron’s taillights disappeared down the road, taking Olivier with them.
If he’d never brought Total Sounds to Meadowfall, if he’d never fallen in love with his stepbrother... his heart would still be intact, wouldn’t it?
31
Olivier
Olivier stared at the rental bill, not reading the numbers at all.
It was summer and the shop was warm, the AC turned up as high as he could afford without damaging his violins. Four customers had stepped into his shop today, and two had bought something.
He was losing money. And yet, he wasn’t thinking about that at all.
I still love you.
Eric’s gaze had been solemn when he’d said that two nights ago. He’d wiped down Olivier’s belly, his hands gentle on Ollie’s skin. Olivier’s heart had tightened, sick with longing.
Eric should’ve been looking for another omega. Not tying himself down to Ollie. He was twenty-six. He had such a bright future ahead of him.
And yet... What wouldn’t Ollie give for Eric to smile at him again?
“I don’t think we made half that much,” Levi said over his shoulder.
Olivier jumped, his pulse skittering. “What?”
Levi looked pityingly at him. “The rent.”
“Oh.” Olivier flushed, tucking the bill away. “That’s not something you have to worry about.”
“I’m going to worry about it anyway. You’re my friend, Ollie.” Levi frowned. “You can come crash at my place if you’re really hard-up for somewhere to stay. I’ll even help you watch the baby.”
“Thanks.” Olivier sank weakly against the counter, picking at a newly-delivered box. It was nice to know that Levi cared so much about him. “Have you gone and filled out an application at Total Sounds?”
“Hell, no.” Levi scowled.
Olivier sighed. “You know I can’t keep you here forever. I don’t even know if I can pay you another month.”
“We’ll figure something out.” Levi folded his arms, looking askance at the new delivery. “What if you applied for another job? Then at least you’ll have some savings before the baby shows up.”
“And abandon Ollie’s Strings?” Olivier looked incredulously at him.
“Float or sink.” Levi shrugged. “That’s how things work around here.”
It seemed as though Ollie’s things all ended
