“No. But trust me, you’ll understand when you’re older.”
“Whatever.” Ked hunched his shoulders. “Look, I don’t remember much about my omega daddy, Denni. But I remember feeling sad when he died, and I remember all the years before Zinn came.” He looked at Wes. “You just said that having all this family you never expected is a dream come true. And I’m just saying…ditto.”
He hopped into the passenger side of Assa’s car.
After the door shut, Assa said, “How do we explain this to Calder?”
“We don’t.”
“No?”
“Calder won’t mind what Ked said.”
“You’re sure?”
“Very. Besides, it doesn’t matter. I don’t care if the school thinks we’re a family of five men and four kids.”
Assa’s heart lurched. Was that what they were? Even without the sex part?
Or rather, was it more accurate to say that the evolving chemistry between them was more unspoken than not? He’d been attracted to Calder ever since that day on the phone. And although he and Zinn were the closest of friends, there were moments when his feelings for the omega were more thanfriendly.
“I’m going to take Ked back to our house,” Assa said. “I want to keep an eye on that nose until Calder gets off work.”
“Good idea. I’ll pick up Ryde after school and buy some of that grape soda Ked likes on our way home. I think we’re out.”
***
Later that afternoon, Assa satwith Ked in the den watching a trivia show while the teen tapped away on his phone, holding an ice pack to his face. He looked like he’d been in a bar fight. Both cheeks were bruised, although thankfully, the pain hadn’t gotten out of hand.
“Zane wants to come over after school,” Ked said.
“Oh. Your papa wasn’t going to pick you up until dinnertime because he’s meeting a vendor off site. I suppose I can drop you off since Zinn should be back soon, but fair warning, he texted in our group chat that Lachie got a bunch of shots today and is super cranky.”
Ked shook his head. “No. I mean, can Zane come overhere? His daddy can drop him off.”
Assa thought about it. While Jordie and Ked spent significant time at the Pashuks’ house, they hadn’t had friends visit them there, other than Kino occasionally accompanying Jordie to family gatherings. Assa wondered if Ked was trying to prove the point he’d made at the school. Clever kid.
“Sure. You guys can hang out here. I’ll make myself scarce. Ryde and Wes will be home pretty soon, though.”
“Thanks.”
At three o’clock, Ked opened the door, and he and Zane immediately disappeared into the kitchen. Assa looked on the porch expecting to see Teal, but he saw Zane’s other omega father instead.
“Hi, Sorcha. Do you want to come in for a minute?”
“Sure.” He tossed his white-blond hair over his shoulder. “I wouldn’t mind a breather before I have to return to the beautiful chaos at our house.”
Assa brought out coffee and a plate of graham crackers, and the two men chatted about mundane things. Ryde’s latest project in school. The furniture business Sorcha shared with his partner, Jax. Teal’s latest pro-bono omega rights case.
Assa hadn’t spoken with Sorcha very often, but they’d met socially a few times. He wondered if he knew the man well enough to ask some pointed questions.
His indecision must have shown in his features because Sorcha arched an eyebrow. “You look like you might have something more interesting to discuss than legal briefs.”
Assa chortled. “Sorry. Am I that obvious?”
“It’s okay. I’m guessing you have some questions about my family?”
Resting his elbows on his knees, Assa scrubbed his hands over his face. “What makes you say that?”
