Page 28 of A Baby for Christmas
Conner eyed me curiously "Where do youwork?"
"An omega shelter," I told him. "The work can be difficult, but we do goodthings."
The boy nodded, a pensive expression taking over his young face. While he was contemplating my words, Max and Cooper walked up to Robin, tailswagging.
"What do you guys want? Oh, this?" He held the stick up and Cooper barked. "Want me to throw this for you?" Cooper barked again, and then Max joined in too. "Okay, okay. Go get it!" Robin threw the stick and both of the dogs dashed afterit.
"I was actually gonna put him on his leash again," Conner said, watching. "He knew. That's why he ranhere."
"Don't let him run away from you again," Icommented.
"I try!" The boy insisted. I had to laugh. He looked so sincere and frustrated at the same time. He glanced at Robin again. "I don't think I'll ever have a kid. Looking after Max is enoughwork."
Robin gave him a good-natured smile. I could see why his students liked him. "You've got plenty of time to think about that, but whatever decision you come to is totallyfine."
"Iknow!"
The dogs carried the stick back—or rather, Max carried the stick back while Cooper trotted after him. Since Robin was busy talking, I took the stick from the Golden Retriever and threw again. It was then that I saw Robin's ex come down the walkway. It was the bastard who'd dumped him at Christmas. Our gazes met, and then he saw Robin. Immediately, he turned and walked toward us. I felt my face contort into agrimace.
The day had been going so welltoo...
To get Robin's attention, I nudged his shoulder. "Overthere."
Robin's gaze followed the direction of mine. My hand still on his shoulder, I felt him grow tense. Obviously, he wasn't happy to see the bastard either. "Conner, don't you think it's time for you and Max to run home? The sun's already starting toset."
Conner shot his former teacher a suspicious look. The lines on his forehead creased like he was about to argue, but then he saw the alpha approaching and called his dog toward him. Good kid. Max obviously wanted to play more, tail wagging and eyes fixed on Cooper, but he didn't argue when Conner put the leash back on him. "Time for dinner," he told the dog. "I'll give you some treats when we're home." By the way his ears perked, Max seemed to recognize both the words 'treats' and 'home' and suddenly he was only too eager to leave the park. "Have a good evening," Conner bid goodbye to Robin and me, and then he and his dog were on theirway.
Which let my partner and me focus on the alpha approachingus.
"What do you want?" Robin demanded as soon as the man came to stand in front ofus.
Calvin sneered at him. "I was just passing by, but when I saw you I figured I could check whether the rumors are true." His gaze went straight to Robin's belly in a way that made my skin crawl. I could only imagine how Robin must feel. Without even thinking about it, I stepped in front of my mate, if only to shield him from the creep'seyes.
"Leave him alone," I nearlygrowled.
Calvin scoffed. "Think you can intimidate me? Please. I'm twice the alpha you are, and I have a right to know whether or not he's pregnant. Well, he obviously is." He leaned to the side to peer around me at Robin. "How far along areyou?"
"None of your business," Robin spat. "Why don't you go back to fucking that blonde you met onChristmas?"
"Could it be mine?" Calvin asked, ignoring Robin's remarkcompletely.
"What?" Robin and I said in unison. Then we exchanged glances.Couldit be Calvin's? We hadn't even considered the possibility. At least, I hadn't. Robin had taken the pregnancy test in January, and he'd been with both me and Calvin in December. More with Calvin than me. But the condom broke when we had sex,so...
The baby was mine, wasn'tit?
Take a deep breath, Ben. Don'tpanic.
"The baby is Ben's," Robin voiced my thoughts. "You and I never had unprotectedsex."
"That doesn't mean there's no chance it's not mine." Calvin stared at Robin's belly again. "I mean, Ihopeit's not mine, but if there's a chance, I need toknow."
Robin shook his head. "I don't care if this kid has 90% of your genes, okay? It's notyours."
Calvin squared his shoulders. "I demand proof of that. People are talking, youknow?"
So that was what this was about. Of course. His precious reputation. People knew that he and Robin had been going out. Now Robin was pregnant, and for all anyone knew, I'd only reentered the picturerecently.
"Fuck people," Robin said. Was this why he'd sent Conner away? So he could curse? I nearly grinned, in spite of it all. Robin was finally taking a stand. About damn timetoo.
