Page 60 of His Surrogate Omega

When Avery came rushing in moments later, he still sat there staring numbly.

“Sorry I was late and incommunicado. Cell reception has been off. I just saw your ca—” Avery said as he walked in, breaking off as he came to a stop beside Gray. Silence fell between them. “Are those… are those what I think they are?”

Gray inhaled a slow breath. “They are.”

More silence.

“That was quick,” Avery mumbled.

The kettle whistled, and Gray moved to take if off the burner and pour himself a cup. Once he was done, he gazed at his nephew. “It was quick.”

“How are you feeling?”

“You being a no-call, no-show for hours didn’t help my mental state right now, either. You should’ve called and let me know what you were doing.”

Gray worried the second Avery walked out the door and didn’t relax until the boy stepped back inside their home.

“You’re right. I should have. I turned off my phone in the library and didn’t come up for air until all my homework was done. I was in a cubby, with no clear sign of any windows, so I had no idea how late it had gotten. It won’t happen again, I promise.” Avery turned to face him. “What’s this about your mental state? You wanted to be a surrogate. Now you are. This was your choice.”

“Don’t,” Gray murmured. “Not right now, okay?”

Avery didn’t say another word.

“I know this is what I wanted, but now that the realization is sinking in, I’m… I don’t know what I am. Ambivalent?” He released a sigh. “And I just can’t handle your judgment right now.”

“I didn’t mean to sound judgmental.”

“I want this,” Gray whispered hoarsely. “I want to give them a child. I want to help provide for you all. I want this.”

“Who are you trying to convince?” Avery asked solemnly.

Gray eyed his nephew, knowing Avery’s concerns were valid. Now those concerns seemed larger than life when they’d once felt trivial.

“Have the boys eaten?” Avery asked.

“Yeah and they’re off upstairs, playing video games, I’m sure. If you’re hungry, there’s a plate in the oven.”

Avery collected his supper and placed it on the island before grabbing a drink and then taking his seat. He stared across the kitchen at Gray but said nothing.

“I always assumed my first child would’ve been so different,” Gray said, fighting the sting coming to the backs of his eyes. “I’d always envisioned an alpha who would adore me… care for me… provide… and I’d give him a beautiful family in return.”

Avery didn’t say anything. The boy looked at a loss for words. It wasn’t fair for him to be dumping all of this on his nephew’s shoulders, not when this had been his choice—just as Avery had said.

Instead of answering, Avery slipped from his seat and walked over to Gray and hugged him tight. Gray didn’t want to need that hug in that moment, but after a few seconds, he leaned into Avery’s strength.

“What the hell is this shit?” Lake muttered before he walked across the room and opened the refrigerator. He stood there staring for several moments before closing it and growling. “Who ate the last of the yogurt?”

“I did,” Gray answered, stepping back from Avery’s embrace. “We’ll get some more tomorrow.”

“Doesn’t help me now, asshole,” Lake snapped.

“Language!” Gray roared before the boy lurched out of the room and stormed up the stairs.

“That boy really needs aswiftkick in the ass,” Gray said. “We can’t let this continue.”

“I’ll talk to him… just let me eat my dinner first.”

“No. I’m done being his punching bag.” Gray marched himself upstairs and into Lake’s bedroom, trying to control his anger. After taking a deep breath, he glared at Lake. “We’re all getting a little tired of the attitude. Especially me.”

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