Page 42 of The Omega's Surprise Baby
That was still a little while to go. “Am I invited to the party?” I asked, and then I held my breath.
Shane laughed, though. “You know I hide the fact that we're still in contact from Conner.”
I deflated a little. “Kid really doesn't like me, does he?”
“It's not about you.”
“Well, that makes me feel better,” I joked, even though I didn't feel like joking. If Conner didn't like me, I stood no chance of getting with his father. Not that I should even bethinkingabout getting with his father. We'd hadone nighttogether. That was no real ground to stand on.
“Were you serious, though?” Shane asked. “Would you like to come visit?” Was that a hopeful note I detected in his voice?
“I thought I could check up on the cat. Maybe talk to Conner.” My YouTube videos had led to an increase in album sales, so I could actually afford doing that sort of thing now. Sure, I shouldsavemy money, but... If there was any chance thatone nightcould turn into two nights....
“You would do that?”
“I don't know how much help I can be, honestly, but I've got some experience talking to kids who aren't happy with their omega status.”
“I can’t ask you to come all the way down here simply to talk to my son.”
“Maybe talking to your son isn’t all I want.” The words were out of my mouth before I could stop myself. And then I couldn’t take them back. I’d promised myself I wouldn’t pursue any kind of relationship with Shane, but damn… I missed him. We’d only been together for a few days, and yet…I missed him.And I was tired of pretending that I didn’t. I’d spent a good chunk of my life pretending to feel things I didn’t, and now I was supposed to go in the opposite direction? Screw that.
Shane was quiet for a long time before responding. “Whatdoyou want?” he asked eventually.
I tightened my grip on the phone. “I want to see you. I want to give us a chance. I think wedeservea chance.”
“Kade…”
“I’m serious,” I insisted, heart beating as if I’d just run three laps around the city. “What we had that night… I’ve never felt anything like it before. And I can’t seem to stop thinking about it. I can’t seem to stop thinking aboutyou.”
“Do you really mean that?”
“I wouldn’t lie to you. I’m a terrible liar anyway.”
I heard the smile in Shane’s voice when he spoke again. “That’s good to know. And I know you’re right. We did have something.”
I exhaled, because I hadn’t been sure of that at all. Part of me kept worrying that I’d only been a replacement for his deceased spouse, but in my heart of hearts, I knew it was more than that. It had felt like more.
On the other end of the line, Shane sighed. “It’s not that easy, though.”
“I know it’s not. But don’t you think it might be worth the effort?”
On the other end of the line, I heard Shane take a breath, and then another. “You know what? You’re right.”
Yes! I was right!
I couldn’t help the smile from taking over my face. “So you want me to come visit?”
“I would love for you to come visit.” Over the phone, I couldn’t see him, but I thought I heard a smile in his voice as well. A cautious one.
That was enough for now.
16
Kade
The next morning—okay, it wasn’t really morning anymore—I was ripped out of sleep by the sound of my phone ringing. Cursing under my breath, I reached for the smart phone lying on the floor next to my bed. I wanted to glare at the screen, but was too sleepy to manage. Instead I settled for taking the call and grunting into the phone.
“Kade?”
