Page 14 of The Omega's Secret Baby
“Oh, that would besogood if it was true.” Frederica’s eyes sparkled again.
Oh no.“Not a word!” I told her. “Not to anyone!” We couldn’t have this kind of rumor floating around. People would be all over it, no matter if it was true or not. Knowing that I’d been together with Eli eight years ago would be proof enough for a lot of the people in this town. And I needed to process this information by myself before I wanted anyone else talking about it. If it was even true.
Frederica sighed. “I understand. But this is such big news. You could be a father!”
I felt the blood drain from my face because I wasnotready to suddenly be the father of a seven-year old. “If Eli wanted me in his life, he would have told me.” I rubbed my temples with the heels of my hands.
I had to speak to Eli again, and soon. Just so I could stop worrying about all of this, since it would certainly turn out to not be true. It had to. “I guess I'll be staying in town for a few days,” I told Frederica.
“Lovely,” Frederica said. “I'd thought you'd only stay the weekend.”
“Well, I've got some things to look into, don't I?” Never mind that staying longer would also allow me to keep an eye on my father's health. “Would you happen to know where Eli lives? Or where he works?”
Frederica shrugged. “I don't know. But I can ask around.”
“Thank you.” I drained the rest of my tea and leaned back in my chair, feeling a migraine coming on.
The sooner this was all sorted the better.
7
Elias
When I gotinto work the next day, it didn't seem like things were going to pick up for me. Because of the shelter's financial problems, my boss suggested that we do some sort of charity event to raise public awareness and get some donations coming in. It was a good idea, but my boss wasn't good at actuallyplanninganything, so he proposed that Harold and I think of something. Together. Because that was totally how I wanted to spend my day.
For the better part of an hour, Harold and I stared at each other in silence, a blank page on the table in front of us.
“You're an omega,” he said eventually.
“Yes...” I had no idea where he was going with this, but it couldn't be good.
“Couldn't we have like an auction? Put you to good use for once. I'm sure some people would pay money for a night with you.”
My jaw dropped.
Excuse me?
“Are you suggesting I prostitute myself?” There was a line, and Harold had just pissed on it.
“I wasn't saying that,” he claimed. “I meant like a date. Not my fault you immediately jump to sex, but I guess that's omegas for you.”
How dare he...
Wordlessly, I stood and left the room. I was so mad I couldn't even think straight. All I knew was I needed to get out of there before I did something I might regret.
I only stopped when I reached the shelter's parking lot, still seething inside.
That absolute bastard.
I didn't want to skip out of work, but I did need some fresh air to cool off. Where did people get off, saying things like that? I wasn't sex-obsessed. In fact, I couldn't even remember the last time I'd gone to bed with anyone beyond the fact that it had been an entirely disappointing experience. That hadn't been the fault of my partner, though. After I knew what it felt like to have an actual connection with someone, nothing else could compare.
I was yanked out of my silent raging when I heard a car door open. Someone else beside me was in the parking lot. A customer maybe? I looked to the direction of the sound--only to see the man I'd been thinking of a mere second ago.
What was Matthew doing here? Did he know I worked here? I couldn't imagine that he'd come here because he wanted to adopt a puppy.
I folded my hands in front of my chest, and not only because it was cold--which it was, more so because I'd stormed out without my coat.
“What brings you here?” I addressed Matt, trying not to let it show that I was having a bad day.
