Across the line, June sucked in a sharp breath. “Right, I’ll see what I can do. Tell him not to worry. I’ll drop by when I can. I’ll give the office a heads-up, too.”
“Thanks.”
Brad ended the call, setting the phone on the seat beside him. It hadn’t vibrated when June called—that explained why Ian had missed all those calls and messages. Didn’t matter now, though.
He scooped Ian into his lap, holding his omega close. “June says she’ll cover for you today.”
Ian winced. “I owe her so much.”
“I’ll treat her to dinner or something,” Brad said. “It’s not just on you. Don’t worry about it.”
Ian sighed, burying his face in Brad’s shoulder. He was still trying to pick at his scars through his shirt, so Brad caught Ian’s wrists, held his fingers, and kissed his neck.
“Do you have any more classes today?” Brad asked.
Ian shook his head. “This is my fault,” he mumbled.
“You don’t know that,” Brad told him. “Might be mine. She’s lactose-intolerant, too. So the defect might be from my genes.”
Ian gave a shaky laugh. “You’re perfect, Brad. Don’t say that.”
Brad’s heart skipped. “You think I’m perfect?”
“Yeah.”
It wasn’t as though Brad really was perfect, but to have Ian think so highly of him… it made Brad want to mark him. Wanted Ian as his, wanted to protect this omega. “You coping okay?”
Ian rolled his shoulders. Shook his head. “Barely. I just… I wish I could stop being scared, for once. If it isn’t Gwen, it’s my job, and if it isn’t that, it’s the debt, and I just—I need to get away from it all.”
He curled his fingers around his upper arm, where the ring of scars was beneath his shirt. Brad pried Ian’s fingers off his arm. “Don’t do that.”
Ian breathed out. “I need to not think about this for a minute, Brad. I can’t—can’t cope. Feels like my lungs are being crushed.”
Brad held him. Ian’s fingers flexed, his nails biting into Brad’s skin, trying to find flesh he could dig into. Ian had closed his eyes, looking as though he was trying to curl himself away, hide from the world.
Brad hadn’t seen anyone react like this to a surgery before. Ian had been through several of these. Was this what Ian had been doing every time?
His stomach twisted with horror. “Do you always do this?” Brad asked, afraid of the answer. “When Gwen’s in the hospital?”
Ian blew out a breath. “Yeah. I bring bandages with me. I have a scalpel. I know the restrooms that don’t get used so often, so I—”
Brad imagined Ian locked up in a cubicle, blood running down his arms, hurting himself so he could feel better. I should’ve been there. I should’ve stopped him.
He cupped Ian’s face. Pressed their foreheads together, stroking Ian’s jaw so Ian looked at him. “Shh. Stop thinking about that. Look at me.”
He met stunning blue eyes, so deep and brittle that Brad’s heart hurt.
“I love you,” Brad whispered. “I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”
Ian’s eyes widened. Brad flushed, embarrassed. Wasn’t sure it was the right thing to do, telling him.
“You… can’t,” Ian croaked.
“I do,” Brad said. “Nothing you say or do can change it.”
Ian’s cheeks darkened. “But I… I’m not… I’m just a professor, Brad. I don’t look like much. I’m a single dad and I—”
“You won’t be a single dad if I had any say,” Brad murmured. “I want to be dads with you.”
Ian stared at him, and then his eyes filled with tears. “Oh.”
So Brad kissed him. Cradled Ian’s face, nipping at his lips. “Mine,” Brad whispered. “My omega.”
Ian whimpered, leaning into him. He curled his fingers into Brad’s arms, opening hungrily for Brad like he was ravenous. Brad held him. Brushed his fingers through Ian’s hair, pulled him close so Ian would feel safe in his arms.
“I’m here,” Brad whispered. “You don’t have to be alone again.”
Ian made a soft, choked sound. Then he buried his face in Brad’s shoulder, and cried.
Brad held him. Lost track of how long they stayed like that, Ian shaking against him, his tears soaking through Brad’s shirt, wetting his skin. Brad kissed his shoulder. Trailed his wrists down Ian’s back, along his sides, until he’d marked every inch of Ian he could reach.
Then Ian fell silent, his ragged breaths evening out. Took Brad a moment to realize that he’d fallen asleep.
That was okay, though. Ian always seemed to wake up less tired when he slept over at Brad’s apartment, snuggled in bed with Brad. If he slept better in Brad’s arms, then that was reason enough to have him and Gwen move in permanently to Brad’s home. So they could be a family together.
If Gwen made it out of the surgery fine… Brad wanted to know what that’d be like. Him and Ian being dads, Gwen living with them, and a baby on the way.
Seemed like there was a chance it could happen.
Brad glanced around the quiet hallway, breathed in the disinfectant of the hospital, and stared at the red light still glowing above the operating room doors. Then he closed his eyes, too, and waited.
17
Brad
It was a couple hours later that Ian stirred in Brad’s arms. Brad hadn’t been keeping track of the time—he hadn’t wanted to rouse Ian from a peaceful sleep.
The less Ian was awake to worry about Gwen’s surgery, the better, Brad had figured.
Ian groaned now, snuffling. Then he sniffed at Brad’s shoulder, half-asleep. “Brad?”
“I’m here,” Brad rumbled.
Ian pressed his face against Brad’s throat, his arms tightening around Brad’s body. “You feel good,” Ian mumbled, his lips dragging against Brad’s skin.
Then his leg hit the plastic seat next to Brad, and Ian froze. He glanced up, taking in the quiet hospital hallways, the glowing red light above the operating theater doors. Brad watched as Ian realized where they were, and what they were waiting for.
Ian’s eyes filled with dismay; a soft whine slipped from his throat.
“No news yet,” Brad said. “We might have to wait a while more.”
Ian groaned. “I thought I was in a dream. This feels like a nightmare.”
“Even with me here?”
“You make it better.” Ian buried his face against Brad’s shoulder, as though he was trying to hide from the world. Then he sucked in a deep breath, squared his shoulders, and straightened.
And now he looked like the in-control professor that Brad had seen the very first time, back when he was a freshman at college. Brad straightened Ian’s skewed glasses. “I’m here,” he said. “I’m paying the bills, by the way.”
Ian looked incredulously at him.
“She’s my daughter, too,” Brad said. “Move in with me. You and Gwen. You’ve been to my place enough to decide if you wanna stay, right?”
Ian chewed on his lower lip, his eyes full of longing. “I don’t know if it’s a good idea.”
“If you come live with me,” Brad murmured, “I could fuck you into the bed every night.”
Ian’s eyes grew wide, at the same time a dark flush rose up his neck. “Brad!”
“Think about it.” Brad squeezed Ian’s ass, kissing his jaw. Smelled the coil of musk on Ian’s skin. Ian liked that idea, then; Brad had thought he might.
“But that’s if—that’s if the surgery goes okay.” Ian squirmed.
“I’ll come help you move,” Brad said. “Probably easier while Gwen’s recovering in the hospital. You don’t have much stuff, do you?”
Ian shook his head. “No, we don’t.”
“I want you in my bed,” Brad whispered. “Want to make you mine.”
Ian’s blush crept up his cheeks. He looked away, almost shy. It made Brad’s heart kick, knowing he had this effect on his omega.
So Brad slipped his hand up Ian’s shirt. Ian’s pulse
thumped against his palm like the brush of a kiss. Brad dragged his wrist right over Ian’s heart, leaving walnut there, too.
Ian swallowed, looking down. “You’re too kind, you know.”
Brad snorted. “I have my own ulterior motives.”
“Such as?”
He leaned in, kissing the scent gland on Ian’s neck. “I want to leave my mark here.”
Ian’s breath hitched. “You really want me.”
“Yeah. Still don’t believe it?”
“Maybe I’m starting to.”
“Good.”
Brad meshed their lips together. Pulled Ian close and kissed him thoroughly, until Ian squirmed and broke the kiss.
“We shouldn’t,” Ian mumbled. “We’re in public.”
“We’re Gwen’s parents,” Brad said. “And I’m comforting you.”
Ian gave a crooked smile. So Brad cupped his face, pressing their foreheads together. Just held his omega, looking into his eyes, waiting as the seconds ticked by.
“I’ll get you a doctor’s note from the emergency department,” Brad said. “And one for the surgery, too.”
Ian winced, but he nodded. “Thank you.”
Brad didn’t want to leave him alone, but he figured it was better than having Ian return to the crowded emergency department, and being away from their daughter.
Brad headed to the emergency department, waited around for minutes for the note. Wondered if Ian might’ve succumbed and hurt himself during this time.
When he returned, he found Ian slouching in the gray plastic chairs, his sleeves unbloodied.
Maybe Ian was getting better.
The weight on his heart easing, Brad folded up the doctor’s notes, tucking them into Ian’s hand. “You doin’ okay?”
Ian nodded, and Brad sat next to him, holding him close.
It felt like another eternity before the operating room light turned off. The door swung open, and Brad’s stomach clenched.
He couldn’t breathe as he scrambled to his feet, getting Ian upright. Brad held Ian’s hand as they hurried forward, stopping in front of Dr. Fenway.
Even though Brad knew the risk wasn’t as high as it could be, it was still unnerving, waiting for the doctor to speak. Wondering what he’d do if there was bad news. Ian swayed on his feet, his face pale.
Fenway nodded at them, pulling off his mask. He looked tired, his hair mussed. But he cracked a smile and met their eyes. “Gwen’s doing fine. The surgery was a success. It’ll take her a while to recover, and we’re keeping her under close observation for now. But if all goes well, she’ll be allowed to have bedside visitors over the next two days.”
The boulder on Brad’s heart rolled off; he sucked in a deep breath.
Ian made a soft, helpless sound, turning. Brad glimpsed the relief in his eyes, and the glisten of tears. Then Ian blurred, and Brad heard him thank the doctor. Saw them shake hands.
Brad could barely see Ian’s outline; he realized he was crying, then.
Gwen was alive. She would be okay.
Fenway disappeared back into the operating room. Brad pulled Ian against himself. Held him, breathing in rose and honey, thanking every god there was that his daughter had gotten through the surgery.
“I’m s-so happy,” Ian mumbled, trembling against Brad. “I just—I can’t even…”
Brad kissed his forehead. Swiped away his own tears, holding Ian tight. He couldn’t remember a time when he’d been as happy, or as relieved. “You were right. Turned out fine.”
Ian laughed shakily. “She’s a fighter, our Gwen.”
Our Gwen.
Brad’s throat tightened. He held Ian, waiting with him until the nurses emerged, pushing Gwen’s gurney between them.
She looked tiny in the bed. There were tubes and wires and a mask on her face, but she was alive.
Brad swallowed hard, amazed, his heart full.
They followed Gwen to a room in the cardio ward, watching through a window as the nurses transferred her to the hospital bed. Then they checked her vitals, and Brad made sure everything was okay with his daughter, before he turned to Ian.
Ian’s eyes were red, but there was the faintest smile on his lips.
Brad kissed him. Hugged him close, his chest full to bursting. He almost wanted to stand sentinel outside Gwen’s room, until she opened her eyes and smiled again.
But there was also his omega, Ian all brittle and pale, and he needed more care right now.
“Let’s go home,” Brad said after he’d had his fill of watching Gwen sleeping in the ward. He couldn’t do anything to help her, other than ensure she had enough rest. “We’ll come back as soon as we can. But I wanna get you home. Make you mine.”
Ian swallowed, wetting his lips. He looked interested. “My car’s at the station.”
“So’s mine. I’ll see if anyone can get us home or something.”
Brad pulled his phone out. Texted Harris, who replied after a minute. I’ll send Valen down to pick you up.
Brad winced. He had to apologize to Valen—it wasn’t as though Valen had been prepared for an impromptu shift. But that was the least of Brad’s worries, when Ian leaned into him, his muscles finally relaxing.
“Feel better?” Brad rubbed Ian’s shoulders.
“Yeah. Much better.” Ian cracked a smile. “I’ve just… never had anyone with me. This was so different. I was more grounded because you were around.”
“You liked it?”
“Gods, yes. Not the surgery, but just… you.”
Ian tilted his head, meeting Brad’s gaze. Brad stared at him. Couldn’t look away, when Ian was beautiful, all warm, soft eyes and pink smiling lips, comfortable in Brad’s arms.
“I love you,” Ian breathed.
Brad’s heart stopped.
Ian blinked. Then he glanced away, his cheeks pink. “Maybe I shouldn’t have said that.”
“Why the hell not?” Brad turned Ian to face him. He pressed soft kisses to Ian’s lips, nuzzling his cheek, his heart too full. Ian loves me.
He wanted to sweep Ian off his feet. It wasn’t appropriate in the hospital, with the nurses bustling around them. So Brad pressed kisses all over Ian’s face.
Ian blushed harder, squirming out of his arms. “I just… forget I said that.”
“No, I’m never gonna forget it.” Brad wrapped his arms around Ian, kissing his neck. “You love me? Really?”
Ian flushed darker, but he was smiling, almost shy. “Yes. Really.”
Brad growled. He kissed down Ian’s neck, dragging his teeth across Ian’s sensitive scent gland. Ian sucked in a sharp breath, musk coiling from his skin. He wanted Brad.
Brad’s pants grew tight. Yeah, he could imagine Ian beneath him, stripped and squirming on the bed, spreading for Brad’s cock. Ian taking Brad in, his body hot and tight, milking Brad for his come.
My omega.
“Gonna give you my knot,” Brad murmured in Ian’s ear. “Make sure we really have that baby inside you. Maybe add another one.”
“You can’t do that,” Ian gasped, but he was pliant in Brad’s arms now, his eyes dark with desire.
Brad kissed him, slow and deep, until Ian arched and whimpered against his lips. Then Brad leaned away, tangling their fingers together. “Get you home first,” Brad murmured, ignoring the giggling nurses to the side. “Gonna claim you. Mark you.”
Ian’s eyelids fluttered shut. His chest heaved, and he looked so hungry, right there.
With some reluctance, they turned to the window, looking at Gwen. Ian sagged. He pressed his face to the glass, his gaze trailing over Gwen’s limp body. “We’ll be back soon, hon,” he murmured.
Brad kissed his cheek. As much as they didn’t want to leave her, Gwen would be safe in the hospital.
Brad led Ian out of the ward. They took the elevator down, making their way out of the hospital. A red utility truck drove through the parking lot—Valen.
Valen pulled up in front of them, unlocking the truck doors. He w
as a stocky alpha in his mid-thirties, with gelled blond hair and an easy smile. Brad had heard that Valen was making his way into second-in-command on his own team.
With the door open, Brad ushered Ian into the truck. Then he sat on Ian’s other side, draping his arm over Ian’s shoulders so Valen knew Ian was Brad’s.
Valen rolled his eyes. He released the brakes, turning them out of the hospital parking lot. “I heard from Harris. Your daughter okay?”
“Yeah,” Brad said. “She’s out of surgery now. They had to widen her arteries, but she’s recovering.”
Valen winced. “Sorry to hear that.”
“Thanks for picking us up,” Ian said gratefully.
“No prob.” Valen flicked on the turn signal, and they headed back to the station.
“Thanks for covering for me,” Brad said. “Hope you weren’t in the middle of something.”
“Naw. I was on feeding duty.” Valen laughed. “’Sides, it isn’t often that I get to be on the same shift as Big H. Had time to catch a nap, catch up with Sam and the children. We’ll need to make things up to Sam big time when we get home, but that’s not so bad, either. Helps a bunch when you wear out the kids and they sleep for a while.”
Valen wriggled his eyebrows.
It always felt strange, thinking about Valen and Harris in a relationship, sharing an omega. Valen and Harris were both alphas, and sometimes Brad wondered how they did things in bed. Then he felt awkward, because that was just not something you wondered about your coworkers.
“How old are your children?” Ian asked.
“Landon’s three now. Jack’s one. Sam’s expecting.” Valen grinned proudly, puffing out his chest. “So we’ll be a bit busier with three kids, but we’ll manage. It works out pretty well when Harris and I take turns at the station.”
Brad nudged Ian. “What do you think? Want three kids, too?”
Ian’s mouth fell open. He hesitated, and Brad could already hear him say, I’m too old to carry more children. But it didn’t hurt to try, did it? As long as Ian was healthy through the pregnancy, Brad wouldn’t mind.
Maybe he kind of wanted more children, so he’d have more reminders of Ian when Ian inevitably left this world before him.
Omega Teacher’s Secret Page 18
