Page 62 of Omega's Fire

There are a lot from Meg: questions, apologies, everything.

I skim it all. There’s too much to read in one go. I need to reply.

Sorry for not replying. I’m back home with my Mom. I’ve just been crashing. Just exhausted. How are things on campus?

She messages back immediately.Thank god. I’ve been so worried. As long as you’re okay. Everything’s gone to shit here. Admin’s cracking down hard. Miss having you around to tell us we’re doing it wrong.

A minute later, the phone starts ringing and we talk for ages. By the time, we’ve hung up, we’ve both apologized a hundred times and things are back to normal.

There are messages from Nash from different numbers, all in the two days after the eviction but nothing after, which is odd. I’m half-tempted to call him in case something has gone wrong, but I can’t do it. I can’t open that door.

One evening, Mom joins me on the couch where I’m half-watching some mindless cooking show. “Leo, we need to talk.” Her voice carries an unusual hesitancy. “About the baby’s father.”

Nash’s scent seems to intensify around me at the very mention of him. My body responds involuntarily, my pulse quickening.

I don’t think I am ever going to get this man out from under my skin.

“What about him?”

“I know you don’t want to talk about the relationship, but there are practical matters to consider. Custody arrangements. Medical decisions. Financial support.”

The baby chooses that moment to kick, hard enough that my hand flies to my belly instinctively. As if she knows we’re discussing her father.

“He wants to be involved,” I admit quietly. “He’s made that clear.”

“And you don’t want him to be?”

The question hangs in the air. “I don’t want to be told what to do.”

“I wasn’t going to.”

“I meant him, Mom. He’s so bull headed. Thinks he’s right about everything.”

To my surprise, Mom bursts out laughing.

“What?”

“Oh, I know someone exactly like that.” Mom reaches over, covers my hand with hers. “Would it help if I acted as go between? Not about your relationship, but about the practical aspects. Someone needs to establish paternity, discuss custody arrangements.”

The thought of Mom talking to Nash makes my stomach clench. But she’s right. These conversations need to happen whether I’m ready or not.

“You’d do that?”

“If you want me to. I’m good at handling delicate negotiations without getting emotions involved.” A small smile plays at her lips. “Years of practice.”

I nod slowly. “Okay. But just the legal stuff. Nothing else.”

“Nothing else,” she agrees.

The conversation settles something in my chest, even as it opens new anxieties. At least someone will handle the practicalities while I figure out what I actually want from Nash beyond the chemistry.

Nash

It’s been six weeks since I last saw Leo. I know he’s safe or at least, I think he is. I’ve driven past his mother’s house a few times but I haven’t seen him there. I keep telling myself that the only thing that is important is that he is safe, but it’s not true.

I want him with me. Staying away from him is driving me insane, but this is the only way that I have any chance at all. I’m convinced of that now.

I need to let him come to me.

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