by C. W. Gray
Justin’s heart beat fast and he felt faint.
“Have an Auggie.” Grey handed Justin his son, and Justin slowly calmed.
“Damn it, Grey.” He couldn’t be upset with his snuggle buddy in his arms.
“I really am sorry.” Griff started to turn away. Justin didn’t want that. This guy was his half-brother. Now that he knew to look for it, he could see his dad in the other man’s features.
“Wait.” Justin reached out and tugged on the toddler’s foot. “Who’s this little girl?”
“This is my daughter, Bea.” Griff nibbled his lip. “You have another brother too, but he’s overseas. Zed is in the marines. He really wanted to be here and told me to tell you he was sorry.”
“Oh god.” Justin swallowed hard. “This is crazy. What about Dad?”
“We knew he was married before and had another kid, but he never really talked about you guys. He left my mom too. I was six and Zed was ten.”
“That’s not surprising.” Justin tugged Bea’s foot again and smiled when she giggled. “Maybe… maybe we can talk sometime.”
“Here’s my number.” Griff handed him a card. “Anytime, just give me a call. I can get you Zed’s e-mail number also. He would love to hear from you.”
“Thanks. It might be a while, but I’ll give you a call.” Justin watched his brother leave.
“So much drama.” Abel watched Justin in awe.
“Seriously.” Grey shook his head, dazed.
They moved on to the next person, but Justin was out of it. All he could think about was his mom’s broken heart and his new siblings.
Justin kissed Auggie’s head and leaned into Tanner. His mom was gone, but he had Tanner and his friends. He would be strong and see this through. For her.
Chapter Six
Two weeks later, Tanner put the car in park. “We’re home, honey. Finally.”
Justin stretched in his seat and smiled wide. Two weeks of sun and sex had been just what they both needed. His omega was tan, well-rested, and relaxed.
After his mom’s death, the surprise visit from Griff, and the quick marriage, Justin had needed the break. Hell, Tanner had too.
“Home.” Justin hummed happily. “I missed Butter Bunny. I even missed those damn Wilsons.”
“That’s good because two of them are headed this way.” Tanner pointed out of the window.
Grey and Abel ran toward the car and opened Justin’s door, pulling him out. They hugged each other and squealed over the wedding band nestled against Justin’s engagement ring.
“Oh, hi guys. I’m home too.” Tanner was completely ignored.
“I absolutely love that ring.” Abel started tugging Justin toward the pub.
“You look so happy.” Grey sniffled and wiped his eyes. “The vacation was just what you needed.”
“It was wonderful. I had Tanner and lots of time to think.” Justin’s eyes twinkled. “I even won some money.”
Abel and Grey squealed again. “How much? How much?”
“Five dollars.” Justin smirked, then dug around in his pocket. He waved the five-dollar bill around. “See?”
“Wow,” Abel said dryly.
“I called Griff too.”
“Oh, Justin.” Grey stopped and hugged him.
“He lives in Portland, but we’re going to meet up in a few weeks. I just need some time to process things.”
“That makes sense.” Abel nodded, then tugged Justin again. “Let’s get inside.”
“Why are you all here anyway?” Tanner grinned when they glared at him. “Not that we aren’t happy to see you.”
“You two got away with a private wedding, but you can’t avoid the reception,” Caden answered as he approached. “The pub closed for the afternoon so that we could welcome you all home.”
“Food? I’m in.” Justin headed toward the pub with his friends. He looked over his shoulder and gave Tanner a heated look.
Tanner followed.
A buffet of delicious food greeted them, along with their friends and family. A banner hung across the bar, and balloons filled the air above them. Music played and people already danced in the middle of the room.
“They’re here!” Abel jumped up and grabbed a balloon. He handed it to them. “Congratulations, guys.”
Justin took it and laughed. “Thanks. Where’s the food?”
“Reuben was in earlier, but he already left. The man really doesn’t like crowds.” Abel waved to the table. “For the main dish, we have slow cooked tri-tips and beef short ribs. Then there are mashed potatoes, beer-battered asparagus, and a million other side dishes. Reuben even made brussel sprouts and I have to admit they’re good.”
“Abuela and I made your cake.” Grey handed Justin Auggie and showed them the large, three tier cake.
“You guys are the best.” Tanner wrapped an arm around his omega’s waist and looked around the room.
Travis and a few other guys had filled in for him at the last minute, and the Wilsons had chipped in with the pub. Now, this.
The next few hours flew by. They ate delicious food and caught up with everyone, and Tanner enjoyed dancing with his omega, even if Auggie was between them the whole time.
“Gift time!” Grey pulled them from the dance floor and brought them to the bar.
The bar was covered with presents, and Justin wiped his eyes. “You all didn’t need to get us anything.”
Abel scoffed. “It’s like you don’t know us at all. Here. Open mine first.”
They sat down and started opening presents. Tanner arched a brow and held up a pair of silky blue manties. “Really, Abel?”
“Those are for Justin.” Abel hesitated. “Well, if you want to try them, you can, but are you the same size?”
Justin snickered and grabbed the manties. “He’s a boxer briefs kind of guy.”
Grey laughed and showed him a picture. “This is from Harper and I.”
“Another bunny?” Tanner looked over Justin’s shoulder. The picture was of a king sized, handcrafted bed frame. “Oh, thank god.”
“Hey now,” Grey said. “Butter Bunny would like a little brother or sister.”
“Well, that brings up my gift.” Dr. Grover and his ladies stepped forward and handed him a black and white guinea pig in a unicorn costume.
“Uh…” Tanner tilted his head.
Justin started laughing. “You found me a unicorn.”
“We have toys here too, and Carter put together a huge guinea pig home.” Grover smiled hopefully. “Butter Bunny loves him too. They’ve had daily playdates.”
Tanner held the guinea pig up and looked it over. “That’ll do pig. That’ll do.”
Grammy chuckled. “I don’t know if we can top that present, but we got you guys something too.”
Gramps held up a large, handmade cubby shelf. “You can put Justin’s snow globes in it.”
Grammy handed Justin a wrapped gift. “You could put this in it too.”
Justin gave her a questioning look and unwrapped the gift and gasped. It was a photo of his mom in a handmade frame. Rhonda was smiling wide and laughing. Her blond hair blew around her face and her green eyes danced.
“It’s beautiful,” Justin said, covering his mouth. “Definitely going in the shelf. Thank you, Grammy.”
The woman hugged him tight. “We love you, sweetie. You and Tanner have a beautiful life ahead of you.”
“Thank you too, Gramps.” Tanner sniffed and gave the older man a half hug. “We appreciate you two.”
“Fucking Wilsons and your sweetness.” Justin wiped his eyes and looked around the room. “I hate you all.”
“We can tell,” North said dryly. “This is from all of us at The Irish Rose.” He handed a wrapped present to Justin, since Tanner’s hands were full of a guinea pig unicorn.
Justin clapped excitedly and opened the gift. “Oh my god. I’ve wanted this set of dishes forever.”
“We noticed,” Laura said, laughing.
“You talked about them all the time,” Albie added with a grin. “Then you would sigh and say they were just too expensive.”
“Thanks, guys.” Justin’s eyes watered again. “You all are so great.”
They finished opening presents eventually, then served the cake. Tanner and Justin snuggled together in one chair, and Justin gave him a soft kiss.
“I love you Tanner Jones.”
“I love you too, Justin Jones.”
“Even if your parents don’t approve of us?”
“Fuck them. I know you, Justin. I see the man you are, and I love you more than anything. I am so happy.”
“Hey guys.” Sheriff McKenzie sat next to them. “I have a spot of good news.”
“Does it involve Wally and Chelsea?” Tanner smirked.
“How did you guess?” McKenzie arched a brow. “Chelsea will do time, but she gave us what we needed to catch Wally. She had a bunch stashed here that she was selling to your less than savory customers. Wally was supplying her. He was also the one to sell your mom those pills, and he’ll get jailtime for distributing.”
“Tanner? You knew about this?” Justin looked at him with wide eyes.
“Yeah. I wasn’t sure what would happen, so I didn’t want to get your hopes up.”
Justin kissed him. “Thank you, handsome. It helps knowing Wally is being held accountable. I know Mom was responsible for herself, but Wally is a manipulative asshole.”
“Do I get a kiss?” McKenzie fluttered his eyes.
“Sure thing.” Tanner leaned over and gave him a big smooch on his cheek.
“Ugg.” McKenzie scrubbed his cheek and they laughed at him.
“See how much I love you, honey?” Tanner kissed his omega again.
Their new guinea pig rolled by in a guinea pig ball. Rue and some other children ran after him.
“Even if Doc gave us a guinea pig dressed as a unicorn?”
Tanner laughed. “Even then, maybe especially then.”
“Butter Bunny needs to be here. It’s only fair. I’ll be right back.” Abel ran toward the kitchen.
“What are you going to name him?” Caden waved toward the guinea pig.
Tanner considered their new pet when he rolled by again. “Hmm. How about Buttons. Then we’d have Buttons and Butter Bunny.”
Justin pulled him down for another kiss. “I like that.”
Before Tanner could insist on more kisses, he noticed an unfamiliar man at the front door. The large alpha had spiky dark hair and warm brown skin. He was covered in tattoos and piercings.
“Hey, the pub is closed until four.” Caden gave the man a friendly smile.
“Oh. Sorry, man. I’m the new bartender and wanted to scope the place out.” The man winced, then turned to leave.
“Wait.” Justin waved his arms. “Come on in. I’m Justin, one of the owners, and I have to say we are so happy to have you.”
“Reuben said you all were hurting for help.” He smiled at Justin and ambled over. “I really am sorry to interrupt. What’s the party for?”
“Tanner and I ran off to Vegas to get married.” Justin stuck his hand out and wiggled his fingers. “Isn’t my ring beautiful?”
“Sparkly.” The man grinned. “Congrats.”
“That’s an awful lot of piercings you have there.” Grammy looked the man over. “Wild man, hmm?”
“Grammy!” Janelle, one of her granddaughters, sounded annoyed. “Don’t make assumptions.”
Grammy looked at her fondly. “You’re right, baby girl.”
The man winced. “Well, to be honest, I was pretty wild until a few years ago.”
“I was right! It’s that look in your eye.” Grammy smiled, pleased. “You’re going to give someone trouble. I just know it.”
Justin rolled his eyes and waved the man to a seat as the party resumed.
“Come on, sunshine.” Harper handed Auggie to Ernie and pulled Grey to the dance floor.
“Why did you want to leave the Caribbean?” Ernie watched the stranger curiously as he cuddled Auggie close.
The man’s smile held a secret. Tanner wondered what was behind it. “Several reasons, really.”
“How mysterious.” Grammy looked at him suspiciously. “Are you running from a wife? Maybe two that didn’t know about each other. They found out and you needed to start over somewhere else to avoid caring for your ten children.”
The man laughed loudly while everyone else gave Grammy sour looks. “Fine, fine. I won’t assume things.” She threw her hands up.
The man’s laughter turned to chuckles. “My main reason involves a delicious omega.”
“I told you he was going to be someone’s trouble.” Grammy looked smug.
“Another reason is my parents died.”
“Oh, sweetie.” Grammy moved from her seat and hugged him. “I’m sorry.”
Justin shot the man a sympathetic look. Tanner kissed his neck. It was easy to push Rhonda’s death to the back of their minds with everything else happening, but in quiet moments, it still knocked the breath out of them. Tanner knew it would for a long time.
“Thanks. We weren’t exactly close, but I have a little sister. I have custody of her now as well as my son. When Reuben told me about this place, I knew it was the place for us.” The man smiled his secret smile again.
“How do you know Reuben? I love the man, but he isn’t too talkative.” Justin finished off his cake, then grabbed Tanner’s and started in on it.
“He’s a quiet one,” the man agreed. “We were in the Navy together and kept in touch after leaving.”
“I didn’t know he was in the Navy.” Justin sounded disgruntled. He put the empty plate down on the table.
“Most of us haven’t even met the man yet.” Ernie handed Justin Auggie again. “He runs as soon as we arrive.”
“He’s a good guy, but he does like his space.” The man shrugged.
Tanner cleared his throat. “I’m Tanner, by the way. I’m sorry, but I don’t know your name.”
“Oh, yeah. I guess Reuben wouldn’t have said.” The man shook his head. “I’m…”
“Mateo?” Abel’s voice was loud and surprised.
Mateo’s eyes filled with heat, and he jumped up, starting toward the omega. “Thought you’d get away, mi alma?”
Abel stood in shock, holding Butter Bunny to his chest. “How did you know where I was?”
Mateo didn’t answer him. He pulled Abel into his arms and kissed him deeply.
Abel didn’t seem to mind. He wrapped an arm around Mateo’s neck and moaned as he kissed him back.
“Oh, dear.” Grammy smiled wide. “I told you that man would be trouble. Handsome and devilish trouble.”
Tanner shared a look with his omega. “The best kind.”
Other books by C.W. Gray
The Blue Solace Series – science fiction, gay romance, mpreg
The Mercenary’s Mate – https://amzn.to/2MAOFEH
The General’s Mate – https://amzn.to/2G1abRE
The Soldier’s Mate – https://amzn.to/2S7R6ng
The Lieutenant’s Mate – https://amzn.to/2THZ47w
The Engineer’s Mate – Coming in May 2019
The Captain’s Mate – Coming in July 2019
The Hobson Hills Omegas – seasonal themed, gay romance, mpreg, omegaverse
Falling for the Omega – https://amzn.to/2BgWURV
Snow Kisses for My Omega – https://amzn.to/2TdDiol
Romancing the Omega – https://amzn.to/2UNENKD
Healing the Omega – https://amzn.to/2FNcXrY
A Pint for my Omega – Coming in June 2019
Unraveling the Omega – Coming in August 2019
Hobson Hills Shorts – short stories from the world of Hobson Hills Omegas
The Beta’s Love Song – https://amzn.to/2UrRPNN
Bennett’s Dream – ht
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Justin’s Journey –
If you would like to keep up with releases, please like and follow me on Facebook at @cwgrayauthor or visit my website at https://cwgray-author.com.
