Page 36 of Roommates
“Sorry, I wasn't listening,” I admitted. My dad had taken seat in an armchair across from me, while my papa sat on the edge of the couch, only a couple of inches away from me. They both wore the same concerned looks on their faces. I felt transported back to the time my teacher had called home because Iwasn't playing nicewith the other kids.
Like it was my fault that the other kids were stupid.
It was then that my parents had first impressed on me that I needed to use my intelligence to help the less privileged, rather than lording my knowledge over them.
“Your dad and I have done some research,” my papa said.
I turned to him. “Yeah?”
“I have to admit that it doesn't look very promising. Your dad and I would rather you—”
“Ed,” my dad cut in. “Let the boy make up his own mind first.”
“What doesn't look promising?” I demanded, looking back and forth between the two of them. There was something here that I needed to know. Something that I wasn't going to like. Then again, I wasn’t'
all that worried because really, how much worse could my situation get?
“I'm sure you must realize this,” my dad started, “but the only place we can take you that would protect your identity is the underground clinic we've been getting your pills from.”
Almost as soon as he was done speaking, my papa spoke up. “Unfortunately our research shows that the rate of complications following these procedures is quite high among male omegas. Even more so when they're not performed to the highest safety standards. Quite frankly, I don't think it's worth the risk.”
“What other choice do I have?” I asked, even as I felt myself go pale. Of course there were risks. I knew that. I just didn't like to think about them.
My dad sat down on my other side. “You have a couple of other options,” he said. “You could take a break from school to have the baby in secret. Birth comes with its own set of complications, but we can prepare for that. Alternatively you can blow your cover and go to an actual clinic to have the abortion.”
“None of those options would allow me to live my life as I wanted.” I would still lose everything I worked for. Even if I somehow managed to give birth without anyone knowing, I'd still have a baby to take care of. It would take over my life, and in the end, I'd be just another omega who was just too damn fertile to pursue his dreams.
“There’s still adoption to consider.” My papa shook his head. “Life doesn't always go the way we planned, son.”
“It does for betas and alphas,” I shot back.
“Lucas, please,” my dad started, but I raised my hand to stop him before he could tell me to be reasonable.
“Save it, Dad. Just please tell me if you're still willing to help me do what I need to.”
“It's your choice in the end,” he said. “We're only asking you to reconsider.”
“Okay. Thanks. I think I'm going to settle in for the night.” With that, I left the living room before my parents could impart any more words of wisdom on me.
I was aware that neither my situation nor my solution to it were ideal, but I stood to lose so much that I couldn't even think clearly, much less make any sort of choice. All I wanted to do right then was to go up to my room, pull my blanket over my head. I wanted to fall asleep to thoughts of the alpha I wanted so bad it hurt just enough to make me forget about everything else.
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L U C A S
The next day started out no better than the one before it. I avoided conversation with my parents—
and the rest of the world—as much as I could. I almost kind of regretted that I hadn't delayed my departure from campus at least a little bit. Adam had an important game tonight.
Part of me wished I could go watch him again, like that other night. Back when Adam hadn't known what I did to him. Back when at least one of us still thought we had a future. I hoped he would win that game tonight and go on to make it big. It was his only way to evade his parents' plans for him. I wanted him to meet his goals. He deserved that. It was nearly seven now, so the game would start soon... and I should probably prepare myself for a quiet dinner with my parents.
I was just about to close down my laptop—I'd been looking at pictures of puppies to cheer me up—
when a knock sounded at my door, making me look up.
“There's someone at the door for you.” That was my dad's voice.
But who the hell would be visiting me now? Who even knew I was home?
