Page 66 of The Omega's Surprise Baby
“It doesn't bother you that some weirdo is snapping pictures of you and putting them online?”
“There's worse things,” I said with a shrug. “For me, on some level, it means there's still people interested in what I'm doing, if that makes any sense. In this business, you have to think like that or you go insane. The only thing that bothers me about this is that they didn't only take a picture of me, they took a picture ofyouas well.” And Shane hadn't signed up for this. Not really.
How long would it take before some fan tracked me to Oceanport? Before they found out Shane's identity and broadcasted it online?
“Don't worry about that. I can deal with it.”
“But are you sure that's what you want? These people can be relentless. I don't want to see them drag you through the mud.”
Shane gazed at me intently. “You know, I used to always know what I wanted and go for it. I've always been focused and driven, to a point some people say it's a character flaw. But I knew I wanted Ron from the moment I met him, and then I got him, and then I lost him. And that threw me for so much of a loop that it took me a little while to figure out that I wantyoutoo. But I do. And you should know that once I've made my mind up about something it's very hard to change it.”
I felt oddly touched by his little speech. And yet... “Just because you want me doesn't have to mean you want everything that comes with dating me. Like the attention of weird people on the internet.”
“How can I tell my son not to back down to bullies and then turn around and do the same?”
“They're not bullies. They're crazy fans.”
“Have you read those comments? They're bullies.”
“Okay, even if I agree with you on that point, the—” Suddenly, I was shut up by Shane's lips on mine. And I still had so many arguments! They were all slipping out of my grasp, though, when I felt Shane's tongue on mine. What exactly was I arguing against? I had to be a fool to try and push this alpha away when a simple touch of his lips could drive me out of my mind.
“Face it,” Shane said eventually, his thumb on my chin, eyes gazing into mine. “There's nothing you can say to make me change my mind.”
Nothing?
Something in me needed to test that claim. Obviously. Or I wouldn't have said what I said next. “I'm still married in twelve states.”
Shane blinked. “Come again?”
Hah, I'd caught him off guard. I probably shouldn't feeltoopleased, though, because now I had to explain. “In Indiana, an omega can't get a divorce without their spouse's signature. So I ran to LA where omegas have more rights and got my divorce there, but not every state accepts it. So... if you ever wanted to... uh... marry me, that's something to think about. Not that we should be talking about marriage or anything, but now you know.”
“I had no idea.”
“I'm sorry. I should have told you earlier.”
“No, not that. I just had no idea that some states were still so backwards.”
“Yeah.” I grimaced. “There's some states I never toured because of this. It might seem paranoid, but if Harvey got to me in any one of them, there's a lot of unpleasant things he could do to me completely legally.”
“That's fucked up.” Shane leaned back a bit, a thoughtful look crossing his features. “Isn't there any way to get that signature? At this point, he must know you're not coming back.”
My shoulders sank. This was like my least favorite topic of conversation ever. Why did I have to bring it up?To see if another alpha's claim could drive him away.I had to be sure. Especially considering that I was carrying his child. Which he still didn't know about, because I didn't want him to make any decisions based on the fact that I was pregnant. Running a hand through my hair, I tried to speak calmly. “I'm never going to get his signature. Vinists don't believe in divorces.”
Shane snorted. “You're telling me this guy has been single since you ran off?”
“Officially? Yes. Unofficially? I doubt it. But people are willing to look the other way with well-respected alphas.” I scoffed, feeling all the bitterness that I usually kept buried well up in me. This was not who I was. I was not a bitter person, but with some topics, I couldn't help it. Part of the reason I didn't normally talk about this. “He's been trying to tell me that I'm ruining his reputation. Can you believe it? He could simply sign the goddamn divorce papers if he wanted to be rid of me.”
One of Shane's eyebrows arched up. “You're in contact with him?”
Oh shoot.I'd said too much. “Not really. I receive letters every now and then. I've stopped reading them a while ago, but they keep coming.” I didn't tell him how recent the last one had been. I didn't want to worry him. There was nothing to worryabout.Probably.
“That's awful. There must be a way to get your ex to back off.”
“It's not so bad.” I shrugged. “I simply ignore him.”
Shane shook his head. “I don't like this,” he admitted.
“I figured you wouldn't,” I said, trying not to let his response depress me too much. I knew he wouldn't like this. No alpha liked to share, not even on paper. Still, I'd hoped he could see past this. He'd told me he wanted me, and truth was, I wanted him too. It was a little scary just how much.
