Page 32 of His Surrogate Omega

“You haven’t even opened it.”

“I can’t. I need you to do it for me.”

Gray eyed him. “You sure? I don’t want to steal your moment.”

Avery lifted both his hands and waved Gray on. “Yes, I’m sure!Openit!”

After a second’s hesitation, Gray sliced open the top edge and pulled out a thick sheet of paper. He scanned the letter silently, trying to keep a blank look on his face.

What if Averyhadn’tbeen accepted? He almost wished his nephew wouldn’t be. A stack of no’s would potentially keep him alive.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. Horror filled him as he lifted his face to Avery.

Avery snatched the letter from his hands and read the first couple of lines aloud. The same few lines that had crushed Gray.

“Congratulations, Abraham Norcross! You’ve been selected as one of our incoming freshman class members for the school year 3713-14.” Avery lifted his stare to his uncle. “Jerk,” he said, grinning at Gray.

Lowering his head, Avery continued to read aloud.“We recommend you schedule a visit with one of our counselors soon to enroll in your first semester of classes. Orientation will commence on the fifth of Augustin, and another packet will arrive soon with more details.”

“Congratulations,” Gray said, forcing the word from his lips. “Although I’m scared as hell for you right now.”

“I’m scared, too.”

For four years Avery would have to hide who he was, in close confines, and that was before he made it out to the Alpha Quadrant’s business district to use the degree he’d seek. Sure, there were companies all over their province, but the money was in the business district. Knowing Avery, he’d want to make as much as he could.

The boy had seemed to see himself as bullet-proof lately.

Hearing that he, too, was scared helped Gray a little. Avery would need to be careful… not too self-assured.

“Hopefully I can keep up with the classes.”

That wasn’t the doubt Avery needed to have. Being caught, sure. His intelligence? Not hardly. “The transcript only faked your name, not your grades and test scores. Youearnedthat spot, just like everyone else who applied,” Gray said, giving him a hug. “You’re bright. Always have been. You’re going to do well, I know it.”

Avery squeezed his uncle tight. “Thank you for reminding me. I needed to hear it.”

Gray stepped back and looked up at Avery. “You’ve always had a head for numbers, just like Silver.” Gray’s eyes suddenly shined with tears. “If only he was here now, to see this.”

“I doubt papa would be happy I was pretending to be a beta and going to college.”

Gray lifted his chin. “I think the conservative side of him would hate it… but the part of him that was proud of his sons would’ve sent him through the moon that you’d gotten that spot.”

Avery smiled at his uncle, his eyes shining with unshed tears. “Thank you.”

“A little part of me is excited you’ll have a chance to prove omegas can be more than husbands and fathers. I think Silver would’ve enjoyed that, too.”

Gray patted the side of his cheek before wiping away a stray tear. He headed for the kitchen, scooping up the two cups on the table in the nook on his way. “Want a cup of tea? I think I need another myself. It’s been an eventful day.”

“Sure,” Avery said. He trailed his uncle into the large kitchen and slid into one of the chairs behind the island. “Why’s it been so eventful?”

Gray smiled softly as he filled the tea kettle at the island’s sink. “Lots of good news today.”

“You’re not going to share?”

Gray place the kettle on the stove before turning back to lean against the island facing Avery. “Jamie just learned he’s in remission.”

Avery smiled. “That’s wonderful news. I could tell he wasn’t well… and you’ve been so reticent to share anything about him. Is it cancer?”

“Wascancer. He’s now been given the thumbs up from his oncologist and has the rest of his life before him.”

---