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While I wait, I decide to give Brandon a call to let him know my heat is over. When I called him a few days ago, I promised I’d let him know when it was over and I was okay.
“Hey,” Brandon says when he answers. “How are you feeling? Do you need anything?”
I smile and shake my head. “No. I’m really good actually. It wasn’t so bad this time. And … Rome helped.”
“Rome, as in … yourboss?” Brandon asks, incredulity evident in his tone.
“Yep.”
“Wow. That’s great. I knew you two were going to talk, but I had no idea he was—”
“It wasn’t the plan,” I say, cutting him off. “I was having a tough time and he called. I told him what was going on and he came and didn’t leave.” Pulling in a deep breath, I say, “I love him.”
The smile is evident in Brandon’s voice. “Shit is intense, right?”
“Ugh! Yes!” I slump on the couch and throw a hand over my eyes. “Why?”
Brandon’s soft giggle rolls over me and I grin. “I don’t know, but it feels good. Anything else I’ve felt pales in comparison to how Mason makes me feel. It’s just … I can’t describe it. It makes me feel whole.”
I nod, Brandon explaining what I’m feeling better than I can. “Yeah. Whole.”
“Well, don’t let me keep you. Let’s do lunch soon. Bring Rome so I can meet my brother-in-law.”
Brandon’s laughter is still in my ear when I hang up. Only a second or two later, the door opens and Rome steps inside. I beam before I can help myself. Rome walks in, looking more gorgeous than I could imagine. His smile is just as wide as mine as he strides over to the couch, pulling me into his arms.
I giggle into his shoulder. “You’ve only been gone two hours,” I mutter, breathing in his dark chocolate and peppermint scent. Gods, he smells amazing.
“Yeah, well,” he says, letting me go and sitting on the couch, “I missed you.” He gives a sideways grin and I snort.
“Are you hungry?” I ask, rising to stir the pot of stew I have on the stove. “I know it’s still afternoon, but it’s hearty. It’ll help get your energy back up.”
“My energy is fine,” Rome says from behind me, wrapping his arm around my waist, making me jump a little. “I told you; you can’t hurt me. I’m indestructible, my little omega.”
Another giggle parts my lips and I shake my head. I’ve never been a giggler. Rome pulls them out of me.
Getting more serious, he says, “I told you, I read up on Weylet’s, so I had an idea what I was in for when I realized you were in heat. I could have handled it, I promise.”
Tears sting my eyes and I nod. I shouted it at him when I was pissed off, but I’m glad he knew. Maybe I need to open up more to people.
Extracting myself from his arms, I go to the cabinet and pull down two bowls. “Yeah, well, eat anyway.”
Conceding, Rome takes a bowl and we both sit at the dining room table, talking about nothing and everything.
I’m regaled with tales of a younger Rome, being chased around the house by his dad while they laugh and play. From how he smiles as he tells me about him, I can tell they were really close. I wish I could have met him and tell him how he raised a good son all on his own.
When he asks me about my childhood, I tell him how the group homes here weren’t terrible but weren’t the best either. There wasn’t much love, not much laughter, and only a few people I would have called good friends.
“There’s a barista down at my favorite bistro. We grew up together and we’re still really close. Not as close as Brandon and me, but good friends. He’s one of the few people I’ve kept in touch with. Fair Falls is a bigger city than most and a lot of the kids that aged out with me are doing okay for themselves.”
“That why you want to adopt Tanner?”
I put my spoon down. “Yes and no. I’ve wanted kids since I could remember. I knew I would adopt when I got older, even if I was able to have kids. Giving kids a good, loving home is important. I was lucky that a few of us stuck together in those group homes. Not everyone is so lucky.”
Leaning back in my chair, I cross my arms over my chest, trying to ward away the lonely nights in group homes or fear of abuse and neglect in the foster homes I was placed in.
Rome nods, reaching out to me. I place my hand in his and he squeezes. “I’m glad you turned out the way you are. And I’m glad that you want to adopt children. We’ll have a house full.”
I laugh, shaking my head when I squeeze his hand. “Yeah, well, let’s start with Tanner and see how we do, huh?”
