Zinn laughed. “You mentioned Dayson Bannon’s case from ten years ago. Calder’s older son, Jordie, is boyfriends with Kino McGinn. Kino’s father, Teal, was Dayson’s lawyer.”
“That is something,” Assa said. “Teal is one of the state’s most famous omegas.” An odd look crossed his face. He took a deep breath before adding, “The McGinns are also well known for being part of a polycule.”
Zinn flinched. Assa didn’t seem like a judgmentaltraditional valuesperson, but he supposed there was a chance he’d misread him.
“Yes,” Zinn spoke carefully, sensing Assa’s continued scrutiny. “Are you concerned that if I get to know Ryde, he’ll be around Kino? I can’t imagine it would be difficult to prevent that, but honestly, I’ve met several of his fathers, and they’re all great… But if it’s a problem, I can make sure none of the McGinns interact with him.” He rolled his lips inward. “I understandpolyamory is unusual, but they are lovely men and I promise it won’t be an issue.”
Assa’s expression softened and he barked a laugh. “Zinn, are you questioning whether I have something against non-monogamy?”
“I hadn’t thought about it until a minute ago, but then your face got all weird when I mentioned the McGinns.”
“Trust me. I have zero issues with their polycule.” Assa released another small chuckle.
“Oh. Okay,” Zinn said, bewildered.
“Then I take it you don’t have a problem with polyamory?”
Zinnpffted. “After everything I went through, I don’t have a problem with anyone doing whatever they fucking want, as long as it doesn’t hurt other people.” He clenched his mug. “I spent so many years under my parents’ rule, then had my baby taken from me.” He took a measured sip. “Now, by some miracle, I’m able to have a new life with Calder. It’s made me realize that sometimes grabbing happiness requires bravery. It’s not always straightforward. I wouldn’t judge the McGinns for loving more than one man any more than I’d want to be judged for moving on after what my fathers did to me. Just like I wouldn’t look down on an omega without a partner, or two alphas who wanted to be together.” Assa nodded and Zinn puffed out another breath. “I’ve spent a good chunk of the last decade being miserable. I can’t imagine denying anyone the chance to find joy. Whatever that looks like.”
Assa put his hand on Zinn’s knee. “I’m sorry you were unhappy for so long. You’re an amazing person,” he said. Placing his mug on the coffee table, he leaned in close to Zinn, practically nose-to-nose. “In all the years I imagined what Ryde’s omega father might be like, I wondered if you’d be nice, and smart…if you’d look like him, be creative like him. But I never stopped tothink about how much I’d like you myself. How much I’d admire you.”
Warmth crept across Zinn’s cheeks. “You don’t have to say that.”
“I do.” Assa locked their gazes. “It’s too bad Wes isn’t here, because this is something we’ve both been anxious about, but I think it’s the right moment to tell you…he and I are poly.”
Zinn blinked. “Oh.” He cast his eyes down, staring at Assa’s hand on his knee. “Polyamorous?”
“Yes.” Assa’s mouth held the hint of a smile. “After everything you just said, it would have felt disingenuous not to own it. We aren’t part of an established polycule, but we sleep with other men occasionally. And we’re open to whatever that evolves into.”
“Oh,” Zinn repeated. For some reason, this had never occurred to him. “Okay.”
“Okay?”
“I mean, yeah? If that works for you. Not really my business, but thanks for telling me, I guess.”
“You guess?” Assa smiled wider.
“Yes…wait, I mean, no.” Zinn shook his head. “I don’t have an issue with it.”
On the contrary, the idea sent a shiver cascading down his spine.
He understood why Assa had told him, especially after he'd provided such an obvious opening, but now all he could think about was the beta couple with other men. They had had bigger issues going on last night, but he wasn’t blind. He’d noticed how beautiful the couple was, so of course his traitorous brain had to paint pictures now.
“I’m relieved it doesn’t bother you,” Assa said. “Even though it was consensual, our non-monogamy was the reason we had trouble listing with the adoption agencies in Warburton.”
“Then it sounds like you and Wes being…that…is what brought Ryde into your lives. And obviously, I’m grateful.” Zinn surprised himself by getting the words out, considering his mind was swimming with images. Wes’s broad chest, the dark hair on his forearms, the prominent vein running along Assa’s biceps, the freckles peeking above his neckline. Did they take turns fucking people? Watch one another? Put men between them? The possibilities seemed endless.
Guiltily, he shoved the thoughts away. He’d just decided to give Calder a chance. Clearly, he’d been suppressing his sexual side for far too long.
“I never thought of it that way.” Assa smiled, mercifully unaware of Zinn’s disquiet.
“It doesn’t bother me.” Zinn kept his voice level. “I’ve been around the McGinns enough to know that polyamory is a perfectly fine choice for consenting adults, not some kind of moral failing like old-school society folks might say.”
Assa took Zinn’s hands and pulled them into his lap. “The universe really knew what it was doing when it brought Ryde into our lives, and by extension, you. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Zinn exhaled away some of his unease.
Assa had been so generous last night, wrapping him in his arms, accepting him into their lives. He hadn’t expected to return the favor.
