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More tears stream down Carrie’s cheeks, and she presses her hand over her heart.
Ben steps forward to take the mic. “Sean was my ride to Carrie’s home, and I will never forget the fear and anxiety that filled me that night. But he and Carrie made sure I felt safe, something I no longer had with my family. The OOP protected me, but it was Carrie who gave me a new home when mine failed me, and I will forever be grateful for all the love and support I had there. The two of you built all of us a foundation with love, but now it’s you who get to live in that home.”
He wipes his eyes and holds the microphone out to Samantha, who fumbles to take it.
Her hand shakes slightly as she raises it to her lips. “Family didn’t have meaning for me until I met Carrie. She taught me what real love was and that I held worth beyond my second gender. I love you. Keep making her happy for all of us, Sean.”
She thrusts the microphone into my hands and chugs her champagne.
Unprepared, I lift the mic, my heart pounding and my thoughts slightly fizzy with champagne. “Sean found me walking the streets in the middle of the night after my dad kicked me out for being an Omega.”
Beside Sean, Rian’s eyes widen, but I force my focus to stay on the happy couple, afraid I’ll lose it otherwise. “I could have died that night, because I didn’t know who Sean was or even ask why he wanted me to get into his car. I was scared and took the first kind offer that came my way. Luckily, he didn’t turn out to be a serial killer.”
I pause while people laugh. “Sean drove me to Carrie’s house, and through them, I learned that being an Omega wasn’t something to be ashamed of. That there could be power in embracing who I am. But it took time for that lesson to sink in, and I burned my life down before I figured it out. I hurt people, my friends…my boyfriend.”
I swallow the lump threatening to cut off my words. “The OOP is about more than shelter against the world. It’s a place to find acceptance, and to find a family. When I returned to my father’s house, things didn’t automatically get better. But when shit inevitably hit the fan, I always knew that Sean was a phone call away, and that Carrie’s door would always be open. Thank you, both, for your patience and love. I’m so happy that you found love together. A better couple doesn’t exist.”
I scrub my eyes with a napkin as I pass the microphone to the person beside me. They tell their story, but I can’t hear it through the rush of blood in my ears.
As soon as everyone’s focus is far enough from me to make it possible, I escape the reception, fleeing into the hotel for a few minutes alone to regain my composure.
As I near my door, I fumble the keycard from my pocket and slide it into the lock.
“Brad, wait!” Rian’s voice cuts through the pounding of my heart, and I glance back to see him running down the hall toward me.
Pulse racing, I shake my head as I shove my door open. I can’t do this right now. As much as I want to apologize, I can’t stand in front of the man who stole my heart so many years ago and pretend he doesn’t still own it.
I stumble into my room, but Rian catches the door before it closes, coming inside uninvited.
Rian’s intense blue eyes lock on me as he stalks forward. “I need to hear what you wanted to say earlier.”
My throat clicks as I swallow and look away. If he needs to hear my apology again, it’s the least he deserves. “I’m sorry that I hurt you back in high school. I was in a bad place, but that doesn’t make up for how I treated you. You didn’t deserve my anger. I just wanted you to know it had nothing to do with you and everything to do with what was going on in my life.”
The words fall from my tongue with a sense of relief. I’ve practiced so many times what I would say to Rian if I ever had the chance, and releasing them leaves me lightheaded. Whether Rian accepts my apology is up to him, but I at least tried.
Gentle fingers touch my chin, drawing my gaze to his. “Why didn’t you just tell me? What you said back there… That was the night of the dance, wasn’t it? Why didn’t you come to me?”
The pain in his voice tugs at my heart. “Everything happened so fast, and I didn’t grab my phone, so I had no way of calling. And I couldn’t just show up at your house. Not with how much your family already struggled. By the time Monday rolled around, I was past shock and deep into anger, blaming everyone around me for what happened. I’m sorry, you didn’t deserve that.”
“And you didn’t deserve to lose your home just because I was horny and not thinking straight.” He pushes my hair behind my ears, his touch burning with the memory of all the touches that came before. “I knew how your father was. I should never have suggested we go back to your place.”
A weak laugh escapes me. “You weren’t the only one letting hormones make decisions that night. The thing with my dad was going to happen at some point, no matter what. He was always going to resent me for being a weak Omega.”
“But you weren’t weak.” Rian steps closer, his eyes dropping to my mouth. “You were never weak. I’m sorry I didn’t realize you were in pain. I should have been there for you. Should have pushed harder to figure out what was wrong.”
“I wouldn’t have let you back then.” My breaths quicken at his nearness, and I lick my lips. “You have nothing to apologize for.”
He reaches out to grip my waist, pulling me forward until our bodies press together. “I’ve never stopped thinking about you, Brad.”
I lift a hand to his chest, and his heart thunders beneath my palm. “Wait.”
“Why?” His hand moves to the back of my head, tangling in my curls. “Your heart is racing just as fast as mine.”
My pulse pounds faster, and my eyes drop to his mouth as the memory of how good it felt to kiss him floods through me.
A low rumble rises from his chest, melting away the last of my resistance, and he closes the distance between our lips. His kiss tastes bittersweet, of broken promises and shattered hearts. It burns with memories of our younger selves, of the recklessness that drove us together and ultimately broke us apart.
I melt against him, chasing the dreams shared and the paths not taken, our lips moving together in a dance half-forgotten but remembered by our bodies.
