Page 99 of His Surrogate Omega

“I take it today was tough?”

Gray looked over his shoulder and nodded. “He’s been sick all afternoon.”

“I was afraid of that. I should’ve stayed. Had you called and told me Jefre was sick, I would’ve come home earlier.”

Gray tried to act as if he wasn’t breaking inside. “I’ve taken care of him. We’ve been just fine.”

He lifted the heavy basket of towels, planning to start a cycle of wash. Rohan was in his way.

“You don’t need to do that. I can take over now,” Rohan said, moving closer.

“He’s my friend. I want to be here for him,” Gray murmured, the exhaustion of the day seeping into his bones.

Rohan closed the gap and took the basket from him. “I can do this.”

Gray fought back tears.

“What’s wrong?” Rohan asked, frowning.

“I didn’t know.”

“What didn’t you know?”

“How bad it would be for him. He said it… he told me… but I didn’t want to believe it was as bad as he made it out to be. What have I asked of him? It’skillinghim.”

Rohan lowered the basket and drew Gray into his arms.

Gray leaned into the alpha’s strength and warmth, surrendering in a moment of weakness. It felt so good there, safe from all the chaos in his world.

“It’s killing the cancer… not him.”

“Are you sure? After what I saw today, I’m not.”

Rohan took a step back and gathered Gray’s face in his hands. “You’re the one who said we needed to stay positive… remember? He needs you and I to give him strength. You can’t do that if you let this get to you.”

Gray’s stare met Rohan’s, and the pull of the instinct nearly took his breath away. “How did you make it through the last time? After seeing what this did to him?”

“It wasn’t easy. It tore me up inside to see him so sick. It’s no better this time… only I know a little of what to expect now. It softens the blow some.”

“I envy that,” Gray murmured.

Rohan lowered his hands to Gray’s shoulders, massaging. “It’ll get a little worse before it gets a bit better, I’m afraid.”

Rohan’s hands felt good on his shoulders… his neck. When he tilted Gray’s head and leaned in close, he was too exhausted to fight it.

The alpha caught himself, inches away from that kiss. He backed off, torment in his eyes. Lowering to grab the laundry, he avoided Gray’s stare. “I’ll go get these started. The car is outside waiting for you.”

And Rohan was gone.

Gray lifted his hand to his lower lip. It ached with want. How he could want when Jamie lay in a bed next door, he didn’t know.

He was a horrible,horribleman.

Gray turned to the mirror and eyed his reflection. His gaze went to the long, thick braid lying over his shoulder. Without telling Rohan goodbye, he raced down the stairs. Coat in hand, he strode outside and to the waiting car.

“Can you take me somewhere other than home?”

His usual driver, Sid, looked over his shoulder. “How far?”

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