Page 37 of Free Me

“Great talk.”

“Good. Symon already put a pillow and blanket on the couch for you.”

Miko hugged his friend, who was older than him by two years and change. “You guys are the best. I owe you a six-pack or something.”

“Bring it next time we have a big get-together. Get some rest, you look like shit.”

“I bet.” Miko trudged downstairs, not surprised to find it quiet and dark, only the lamp by the couch still lit. He used the half-bath to wash his face and gulp some water from the spigot. In the yellowish light, he did look awful, with puffy circles under his eyes and splotches of bruising on his cheeks and neck. But also looked…older? More mature?

Maybe he didn’t actually look more mature, but he felt it in his bones for having finally shared a big truth with his parents. For voicing his resentment and frustrations. And also for being by Linus’s side and helping him through an emotional hurricane. A bit of guilt niggled at the back of his mind over not telling Linus about the mating bond yet, but it would come in time. Linus had so many things ahead of him, and his health came first. His mobility and positive outlook all came first.

Miko could wait his turn. He had plenty of practice at putting himself last.

He did manage to sleep on the lumpy couch and woke to the persistent creak of footsteps moving around the old house, both up and downstairs. His friends were rising for the day, and Miko couldn’t be selfish with their living room, so he got up and repeated his bathroom routine from the night before. He hated wearing the same clothes; he’d have to go home to shower and change before heading to the hospital for visiting hours.

When he came out, Jaxson, Symon and Morgyn were all in the kitchen passing around boxes of cereal and a jug of milk. Symon was slicing a banana into his bowl.

“You aren’t working this morning?” Miko asked Symon. It was the most popular brunch day in the province, and Symon was their head baker. Seemed odd for him to be home at eight-thirty a.m..

“Split shift,” Symon replied. “I went in at four and worked until eight to get everything into the bakery case. I’ll go back at ten to make sure they’re stocked for the lunch rush.”

“Oh. I can’t believe I slept through you leaving.”

“I’ve gotten really good at sneaking out without waking up my roommates.”

“Clearly.” Miko was impressed, since he was usually a light sleeper, especially on a lumpy couch, instead of his own bed.

“So how mad are you still at your parents?” Morgyn asked as he passed Miko a bowl.

“I don’t want to talk about our argument last night yet, but I’m not really mad anymore.” Miko eyed the cereal selection and chose the Fruity-O’s. Added sugar was exactly what he needed this morning. Plus, coffee to knock the cobwebs out of his brain, and he smelled it brewing.

“If you wanna bypass going home, you can shower here and borrow a clean shirt and boxers.”

“Really?”

“Sure. We’re pretty close to the same size.”

True. Miko was on the tall side for an omega, while Morgyn was fairly average, as were most betas who didn’t spend obscene amounts of time at the gym. One thing Miko kind of loved was that he was almost exactly as tall as Linus. They fit so perfectly, like the night they’d danced at the championship party…

Fingers snapped in front of his face and Miko reared back. “Huh?”

“I asked if you wanted coffee?” Jaxson said.

“Oh, yes! Thank you.”

Their quartet settled around the kitchen table with cereal and coffee, and no one really spoke for a while. Miko hoped for a quick meal, quick shower, and a quick getaway.

Symon dashed that by being the first one to speak. “I hope you don’t think I’m overstepping, since I just work for yourparents.” He paused and held Miko’s gaze with a rare show of confidence. “But I can’t imagine anything happened between you guys that can’t be fixed.”

Miko bit back his instinct to tell Symon to butt out, because he did appreciate Symon’s perspective. He’d worked for Miko’s parents for two years, was a model employee, and had a gentle demeanor that always put Miko at ease. And he’d been loyal to their group of family and friends, ever since Symon and Jaxson became in-laws.

“It isn’t unfixable,” Miko replied. “I just need space and time to think. We’ll talk about it soon and figure it out.” With or without a neutral party to mediate, like Linus suggested.

“Good. I love Mikel and Brogan. After Jax and Karter, they’re like second parents to me. I hate knowing you guys are fighting.”

“Me too. It was just something we hadn’t said for a long time, and yesterday I didn’t have much of a filter. I really appreciate you guys looking out for me and letting me crash here.”

“You’re always welcome, you know that,” Morgyn said.

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