“You weren’t the one sitting there like a loser waiting to get picked up. Coach was getting annoyed because he can’t go home until we all do.”
Hmm. That was an issue. Calder didn’t want his son to be theproblem kidon the team. He made a mental note to call the coach later.
“Did Jordie say why he was late?”
Calder picked up his phone and saw a text from his sixteen-year-old saying he’d just dropped Ked off, was sorry for losing track of time, it wouldn’t happen again, and he’d be home around nine o’clock after his shift at the pizzeria.
“He didn’t have to say why,” Ked whined. “It was because he was with his stupid boyfriend. Doing stupid boyfriend stuff.” He kicked his foot against the linoleum.
Calder tried not to smile. His boys were so close. Both betas, and only two years apart in age. They’d been a tight family unit of three for over eight years, and he thanked the stars that his sons had each other.
But they were also getting older and developing unique personalities. Jordie was more like Calder, taciturn and thoughtful, responsible, his nose always in books. Meanwhile, Ked was all Denni, vivacious and social, excelling in both athletics and the arts.
When Jordie started dating his first boyfriend last month, Ked took it hard. His sons had been inseparable their entire lives. Now Jordie had heart-eyes for someone and, unsurprisingly, wanted to spend all his time with him.
Calder knelt and put an arm around Ked. These were the moments when he really missed Denni. His husband would have known exactly what to say. He would have been amazing at so many things with their sons.
Calder had done okay as a single parent, but sometimes he wished his boys had more than just him. He was trying to think of consoling words when a soft knock sounded on the office door.
Even if he hadn’t scented him, he would have recognized those hesitant, soft taps.
“Come in, Zinn.”
The omega poked his head in the door. “Hey, cap. I think the cakes are done, but I’d love to get your opinion since it’s such a big project and—oh—hey, Ked. I didn’t see you come in. Game go okay today?” Calder watched as Zinn gave his son a wide smile.
“It went alright. Sorry about not saying hi. I snuck in the side door.”
Zinn began backing away. “Sounds like this is a bad time. Apologies for interrupting.”
“No, it’s fine.” Calder didn’t want Zinn to feel like an intruder. “Please come in.”
Zinn rolled his lips inward.
“You weren’t interrupting,” Ked assured him. “I’m just mad because Jordie is acting like a dum-dum over hisboyfriend—” he used a sing-song voice “—and it’s like he doesn’t remember anyone else anymore.”
“Ah,” Zinn said, venturing tentatively into the room. “I remember those days. When my oldest brother got his first boyfriend, we barely saw him at the house for weeks afterward.”
“Really?” Ked sighed dejectedly. “I don’t want to be a jerk. It’s not like I think Jordie shouldn’t have a boyfriend. But I didn’t think he’d drop everything else in his life when it happened.”
Zinn pointed at a folding chair against the wall and glanced at Calder. “May I?”
Hadn’t Calder just been wishing for someone to help in these matters?
“Please,” he replied, shaking out the chair and placing it next to Ked for Zinn to sit.
Zinn had always been less guarded with Jordie and Ked than he’d been with the adults who worked at the bakery. SinceCalder and his kids lived in the house behind Felton’s, they interacted regularly.
His sons had few omegas in their lives—a couple of teachers and their friends’ parents—so it didn’t surprise Calder that they were fond of Zinn.
In turn, Zinn seemed genuinely attached to them. He had baked celebratory cupcakes after Jordie passed his driver’s exam a few months ago and always asked him about his classes. With Ked, Zinn had endless patience for listening to drama club gossip, or for dissecting every play of a soccer game.
And yet, in developing rapport with the boys, Zinn had never shared personal details about himself.
Had the omega realized he’d let something slip a moment ago? Calder tucked the information away hungrily. Zinn had siblings. Likely two or more, since he’d referred to “my oldest brother” rather than simply “my brother.” Calder wondered what gender they were, or if they still spoke. But he knew better than to ask. Zinn would shut down immediately.
“I think you should talk to Jordie about how you feel,” Zinn suggested.
“But I did!”