Page 28 of Romancing the Omega

“It was Abel’s idea,” Grey mumbled, crossing his arms. “Harper told me I had to behave.”

Zoe followed Caden and Carter to the table and sat with them.

“I can’t believe you moved and didn’t tell anyone,” Carter said. “What the hell, Caden?”

“I didn’t think about it,” Caden said. “It happened quickly and Yeo was sick. We didn’t even tell the kids until today.”

“I can understand that,” Carter said. “You never tell me anything going on with you, though. I thought that when you moved here, you’d want to be a part of my life.”

“When would that be? When you were working with Juan? When you had poker nights with the guys and didn’t invite me?”

“Carter!” Zoe’s voice was full of censure.

“I didn’t think he liked poker,” Carter said. “It’s not like he invited me to his weekly pub visits with his friends.” He waved his hand towards Caden’s friends. Grey stood staring Ernie down. He really hoped Grey wasn’t still jealous of Ernie’s knitting skills. That could get messy. Justin sat in Tanner’s lap, eating his popcorn, and Abel sat around the coffee table with Summer, Juan, and Ray, playing cards.

“You aren’t a hot mess,” Caden said. “That’s the requirement to be in the club. We didn’t let Zoe in either.”

“You did not,” She said solemnly. “It sounds like you two are jealous of the other’s friends. Why do you think that is?”

Carter groaned. “I don’t know. It’s not like Caden ever wanted to be close to me. All we talked about in Georgia was lawyer stuff.”

“That’s all I talked about with anyone,” Caden said. “You didn’t exactly make an effort either. When you got bored, you just left. You didn’t want to be there, and I knew it. Why would I try to make you stay and talk to me?”

“I… I didn’t think you wanted to talk to me,” Carter said. “Everyone just wanted me to make different choices. It all started to run together. You all said the same thing all the time. Law was a good and respectable profession. College was absolutely essential to a good future. The army was a waste of time.”

“I never said that,” Caden snapped. “That was Mother and Father. I was proud you went your own way.”

“Carter,” Zoe said. “You made snap judgements about Caden and his intentions, right?”

“Yeah. I guess,” Carter said, frowning.

“Caden,” she said. “You’re a tight-lipped butthead, right?”

He gave her a flat look. “Perhaps.”

“When you two reunited, Carter had a good life with an omega and his friends here in Hobson Hills,” Zoe said. “How did this make you feel, Caden?”

“Seriously?” He didn’t hide his disdain.

“Answer the question,” she growled.

“I don’t know,” he said. “Maybe I felt like there wasn’t a place for me in your life.”

“Good,” Zoe said. “Carter, how did you feel when Caden had his epiphany at Christmas? When he decided to move here to pursue writing full-time.”

“I thought it was great. I thought we’d finally have a relationship,” Carter said. “Then he just started hanging out with those omegas. I saw you more when you lived in Georgia.”

“Okay,” Zoe said. “You both want a relationship with one another, but you’re too hard headed to take the first step. From this night forward, you will spend one night a week together, just the two of you. It can just be a few hours in your barn, Carter, but you two will bond.”

“For how long,” Caden asked. “Two weeks, four weeks?”

“Until I say otherwise,” Zoe said. “Furthermore, you two will be nice to each other’s friends. Caden, you’ll let Juan help you when you need it, and Ray is our investigator, not that other guy.”

“Fuck Walter Douglas,” Ray yelled from the living room.

Zoe ignored him. “Carter, you won’t be snide or petty toward Grey, Abel, or Justin. They’re sweet men and shouldn’t be glared at. Unless it’s by me.”

“I really liked those shoes,” Carter said, sighing.

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