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They entered the kitchen, and Wilder saw Rohan pulling out plates.
“Perhaps it would be better to quit and find another job elsewhere. One where you aren’t under Father’s thumb,” Jamie offered. “You have a degree from a prestigious university, years of management experience, and you’re a hard worker. Any company worth their salt would snatch you up in a second.”
Wilder imagined the look on Wynter and Warden’s faces. “Itwouldsend our parents a message, hmm?”
“If you leave, take me with you,” Rohan added. “I’m not staying there without you.”
Rohan was the lead attorney for Jaymes & Associates. Over their years at the company, they’d become fast friends. Rohan was someone Wilder trusted to listen to ideas and offer good, sound advice. Finding out the man was his brother’s mate had simply been icing on the cake. Rohan was more brother than brother-in-law.
Wilder took the plate Rohan handed him. “No worries. I won’t leave you there to face Father alone.”
“I’m still pissed he wouldn’t let me leave for Jamie’s chemo appointment. Thanks again for filling in for me,” Rohan said, before taking a bite of pizza. “Damn, that’s so good. I miss having DeNardo’s right down the street.”
“Wecouldalways sell this place and move back to the Alpha Quadrant. Get an apartment in the same neighborhood we lived in when we were first mated. Then you could eat at DeNardo’s whenever you wanted,” Jamie mused.
Rohan froze. “But this is our house…” He cast a glance around, and his smile turned to sorrow.
It was clear Rohan was grieving the loss of what they’d never had. He’d built the house as a promise of a family. A promise lost. Wilder tensed, sorrow spreading through him. Their grief was a tangible thing. It flowed like an emotional fog, filling up all the available oxygen in their huge, empty house.
“Perhaps you’re right,” Rohan agreed, his expression grim. “It is too much house for us.”
“Or we stay and fill this house with life,” Jamie said, his voice low.
“There’s no reason to push the point now,” Rohan murmured, something akin to anger in the creases of his brow.
“But I can tell you’re still on the fence,” Jamie shot back.
Rohan eyed his omega.“Nowis not the time for this.”
“Wilder is very much aware of my desire to get a surrogate.” Jamie spun to Wilder. “Right, Wild?”
Wilder paused, his hand still above the slice of pizza he was about to grab. For a moment, he’d been oblivious to their argument, but the pieces fell into place. The surrogate. Of course. He searched both their faces, no desire to get in the middle of the heated discussion. “I think this is a better conversation for you both to have once I’m gone.”
“See?” Rohan muttered before picking up his slice. “Let it go, Jamie.”
Jamie sat silently, but it was obvious he didn’twishto be silent.
Wilder sighed when he saw sadness welling in Jamie’s eyes. They’d had this conversation—just days before. “I was under the impression you both were moving forward?”
“We are,” Rohan said.
“But you’re dragging your feet,” Jamie argued.
Rohan eyed Wilder. “I still have reservations, and that seems to bother your brother.”
“I want us both to be excited about the prospect of a new family,” Jamie said. “Is that so wrong?”
“I’ll be excited once there’s a babe on the way.” Rohan tossed a slice of pizza to his plate, avoiding Jamie’s stare.
His brother turned to gaze at him.
Wilder exhaled, knowing Jamie wanted him to take sides, but there were no sides for him to take. “As I already told you, I share Rohan’s concern.” More than shared. He was deeply against this notion but knew better than to tell his older brother no. Not after all he’d been through. “If this is what you both truly want, I’ll support your decision.” Wilder turned his attention to his best friend. “And yes, he’s barely out of treatment, but you remodeled this big, old place to fill it with children. That was the plan. It still can be. It might be good to give Jamie something to look forward to.”
Surrogacy would take years. It likely wouldn’t happen too soon. They all had time.
Jamie squeezed Wilder’s arm. “Thank you,” came up in a whisper.
“You’re welcome,” he replied, looking down at his big brother. “Just remember that Rohan’s concerns are valid—and you can’t run roughshod over him with this plan of yours.”
