“And the thought makes me ill,” Jamie said.
“Rohanhadasked the nurse to try and persuade you to eat a little. But he did tell the beta you were coming off a chemo treatment and weren’t well.”
“I’d say this man is ill-equipped for the job he now holds.”
Gray chuckled. “Agreed.”
Jamie looked at Gray—he looked different. He wore a beanie over his head, tight to the scalp.Too tight. As if…“What’s with the hat?”
Gray eyed him, looking a bit reticent. “Nothing. It’s cold out.”
“Take it off.” He narrowed his eyes, sensing something was amiss.
Gray’s face reddened. He lifted a hand to his head and slowly pulled it off…
Jamie gasped when he saw Gray’s bald head.“What have you done?”
Gray ran a hand over his scalp. “Now we’re twins, hmm?”
Jamie’s eyes stung with tears. “Why? Your hair wassolovely.”
“I know how upset you were to lose your hair again. So I didn’t want you to be the only one enduring baldness.”
“No,” Jamie said, a tear escaping. He wiped it away, stunned at what Gray had done. “I wish you hadn’t. Your hair… my gods…Gray.”
“Since I’m the one who begged you to go into treatment, I felt it only right for me to make a sacrifice of my own. I know it’s nothing in comparison to yours… but I didn’t want you to feel alone in this.” Gray took his hand and squeezed.
Jamie bit back a sob. Seeing the heights of Gray’s love for him nearly broke him. This omega he’d known for a few short months was becoming another piece of his heart. Another who he’d have to leave behind before he was ready. And he almost couldn’t bear it.
“At least my head isn’t misshapen,” Gray joked, breaking the intensity of the moment with levity. “Or this would’ve been arealbad idea.”
Levity Jamie desperately needed. He chuckled. “I do hope you kept it. Good hair like that could make you a bundle.”
Gray nodded. “I kept it.”
Jamie tilted his head, a thought occurring to him. “Did you do this because you needed the money?”
“No!” Gray answered. “We’re doing fine. Avery is a budgeting master… and the boys are learning to be more creative with less. We’re actually doing better than fine.”
“You do know… that if you ever needed anything, I would help you.”
“You’ve already been more than kind… and there’s no reason to be concerned. We’re fine, as I said.”
“I think of you as my brother,” Jamie said. “And by extension… your nephews are family. Family takes care of one another.”
Avery brought Jamie’s hand to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss on his knuckles. “The sentiment is appreciated. We arefine.”
Jamie relaxed into the chaise.
“How about that tea and broth?”
Jamie sighed. “Tea, yes. Anything more, I’ll try, but I make no promises.”
Gray rose. “I’ll fix you a tray.” He grabbed his coat and hat and headed for the door. “I’ll be back in just a moment. Rest up.”
Jamie couldn’t stop staring at Gray’s bald head as he left, thunderstruck.
Twins.