Saving Rhys

by Fel Fern

  Some shelters accepted Alphas, Betas, and Omegas. They were always overcrowded. They didn’t have separate rooms. Thinking about some handsy and opportunistic Alpha putting his hands on Rhys, on what rightfully belonged to me, made me mad.

  I didn’t have the right to be jealous. Rhys wasn’t my anything. To him, I was just an old friend of his dad’s. Rhys came to me for protection. Taking advantage of him was never an option. I’d do the noble thing and play the role of the host perfectly. I needed to let Rhys know that he was welcome here any time.

  Rhys slumped against the chair. He avoided looking at me. A heavy sigh escaped him. “Yeah.”

  I said nothing for a few moments, hoping he’d open up to me more but he didn’t. One step at a time, I reminded myself.

  “Help me clean up,” I told him.

  Once the take-out boxes were in the trash can, the dining table was pristine again. I turned to Rhys. He was biting on his lower lip and there was a guilty expression on his face. Rhys shuffled his feet, reminding me of a guilty child who was caught doing something wrong.

  “Are you disappointed in me?” He finally asked.

  Two years ago, Rhys told me he and his boyfriend were leaving. They were planning to go on a road trip before college. Rhys seemed happy he was finally able to leave this town.

  I had the impression he was jittery, eager to go. I remembered thinking a guy like Rhys couldn’t stay put in one place for long. I didn’t think I’d ever see him again.

  “Why would you ask me that? I’m not your father.”

  The last word slipped out by accident. Two years had passed since the deaths of Rhys’ two dads. Rhys was more close to his Omega dad than Gene.

  Gene once described his relationship with Rhys to me using one word. Distant. Neither Gene nor Rhys bothered getting to know each other. Even so, I wondered if Rhys missed them.

  Rhys widened his eyes in surprise. “You’re right.”

  Before Rhys misinterpreted my words, I clasped his shoulder. “All I’m saying is that I don’t judge you for your actions or whatever happened to you. I’m here to listen when you’re ready to talk.”

  “Nothing will change tomorrow,” Rhys said.

  “I know but I’m extending my welcome. Stay as long as you like.”

  I wondered if I was crazy for making such a suggestion. I must be out of my mind. It wasn’t easy, keeping my hands to myself when Rhys was around. But it was too late to take my words back.

  3

  Rhys

  Nolan was a saint. He was almost too good to be true. I was only twenty-years-old but I’ve been on the road over the past year. I learned quickly that people came in all kinds of flavors.

  There was one lesson I learned early. Alphas never offered you their help freely. They always wanted something else in return. I didn’t mind paying the price because this was Nolan we were talking about.

  “You sure?” I asked, still unable to believe my ears.

  Nolan’s place might be small but it was warm. Plus, it was just the two of us here. In tight quarters I didn’t have to fall asleep in a crowded space, worried someone would steal my belongings.

  “I won’t be an inconvenience?” I prodded.

  I’ve had a crush on this Alpha for as long as I could remember. Nolan claimed I didn’t know him. Maybe he was right but I did know that Nolan was a good man. He was the most decent guy I knew, Gene often said. According to my Alpha dad, Nolan was the man you wanted to guard your back.

  I didn’t know the reason why Nolan retired from the police force but he probably helped plenty of folks during his service. Two years ago, he was still a cop. I wondered what happened to him.

  “Not at all. I’ll grab you a blanket,” he said.

  I frowned. Nolan didn’t mention anything about payback and that bothered me a little. I’ve done things I wasn’t proud of all in the name of survival. Surely, there was something Nolan wanted from me.

  I was still standing there like a gawking idiot when he returned. Nolan handed me a faded blue blanket that smelled like fabric softener and him.

  The silence stretched between us. I didn’t know what else to tell him. I was almost tempted to press myself against him and finally experience what it was like to kiss him. Nolan would want to take control. He’d close his hand behind my neck and—

  “I’ll be right over there if you need anything else,” Nolan said.

  My train of thoughts shattered. Nolan nodded to the screen that divided his bed from the rest of the small studio space. He entered the bathroom. I heard the water running seconds later.

  I settled on the sofa and draped the comfortable and heavy blanket around my body. Even though I was sleeping on the couch, the leather was worn and soft. Before I sold my car, I used to sleep in the backseat all the time. Nolan’s sofa felt like heaven in comparison.

  Just thinking about being close to Nolan 24/7 made me inappropriately hot and bothered. God. I didn’t know what was wrong with me.

  I was still awake by the time Nolan emerged from the bathroom. He was wearing a shirt and a new pair of boxers. I wondered if he bothered with the shirt because I was here.

  Probably not. My imagination sometimes got the better of me. I hadn’t imagined the heated look in his eyes earlier, did I?

  “Rhys, you still awake?” He asked.

  I closed my eyes and pretended to sleep. I was a damn coward but I didn’t know what else to tell him. One dinner and I’ve already given Nolan an inkling of my situation. I wasn’t much of a talker. I kept to myself most of the time but when we sat down earlier, I almost opened up to him. That had never happened before.

  I suspected that the longer I remained with this inquisitive Alpha, the more I was going to open up to him. I didn’t like letting other people see my weaknesses.

  Hell. I usually never allowed people to see the real me. Not long ago, I surrendered my heart and soul to an Alpha I thought I loved. I would’ve followed Arthur to the ends of the earth. I didn’t expect him to dump my sorry ass or leave me with a shattered heart.

  I put up walls. I told myself repeatedly to watch who I trusted but what if Nolan was being genuine? What if fate led me to his doorstep for a reason?

  Nolan watched me for a few moments, saying nothing. He eventually padded away and slipped into his bed. Not long after, he started to snore.

  I chuckled to myself. Nolan sounded like a truck engine. I wondered if I’d be able to get any sleep tonight. To my surprise, my eyelids eventually started to droop and I drifted off to the land of dreams.

  * * *

  The smell of grease and bacon woke me up. I rubbed at my eyes and sat up slowly. For a second, I couldn’t remember where I was. Then it all came back to me.

  I arrived on Nolan’s doorstep, drenched and hungry. He even offered to let me stay here for as long as I liked. Nolan had to be pulling my leg. In the real world, people didn’t just let strangers stay in their homes out of the goodness of their hearts.

  I flung the blanket away. I found Nolan behind the stove, frying up some bacon. He looked like he just came from a run. Sweat covered his front and back. His hair was messy, sticking up a little. I wasn’t surprised he was a runner.

  “You’re up,” he remarked.

  I looked at the wall clock above his head and frowned. “It’s only eight in the morning and you’ve already gone jogging?”

  “I like to keep in shape,” he told me. “Hungry?”

  Despite having what practically amounted to a feast last night, I nodded. It was awful of me to continue taking advantage of Nolan’s hospitality but it had been ages since I started the day with a full stomach.

  “Help yourself to some coffee. Breakfast will be ready soon,” Nolan said.

  I made my way next to him. I took out two mugs and poured both of us coffees. Nolan placed two heaping plates filled with eggs, bacon, and two slices of toast each on the counter.

  We both pulled out stools and ate there. I ate with gusto. I devoured ever
ything on my plate, still famished. I probably appeared like a greedy pig to him but I didn’t care.

  “So, when did you return to Clyde Hill?” Nolan asked me by way of conversation.

  I remembered how tight-lipped I’d been the night before. Of course, it was only natural Nolan had more questions for me. I was surprised I didn’t get irritated.

  I automatically retreated when someone nosy was trying to figure me out. It was different with Nolan. The Alpha seemed genuinely concerned about me.

  “A week ago,” I admitted.

  Nolan raised his eyebrows.

  “My dads donated our old house. I wasn’t brave enough to approach you.” I confessed. “But after sleeping on park benches and crowded shelters, I finally knocked on your door.”

  Shame punched through me. When I left Clyde Hill two years ago, I didn’t look back. Nothing about my hometown stood out. Not the places or the people.

  I sounded like a snob, but in reality, I just had trouble fitting in. Making small talk and joining a group seemed more like a chore than anything else to me.

  “What about going to old friends? I’m sure they’d help you out.”

  “Don’t have any,” I answered bluntly. “I was never a people person. The only guy I gave my trust to, walked out on me.”

  I pressed my lips together, not wanting to say anymore. Arthur’s departure, still made me feel bitter and angry.

  “I see.” Nolan didn’t say anything else, which infuriated me.

  “If you don’t want me here anymore, then tell me. I don’t mind if you retract your offer,” I blurted out unthinkingly.

  I immediately regretted my outburst. Nolan was probably thinking that I was just another spoiled brat, someone who didn’t know what the hell I wanted in life.

  Nolan reached for my hand across the counter. I swallowed as he began drawing circles over my arm. I didn’t mind the gesture. His touch calmed me, although there was nothing sexual about it. I liked the fact that he cared, that he gave a damn about me.

  “My offer still stands,” he told me.

  “Tell me something first.”

  “What?”

  “What you want in return?” I must’ve uttered the wrong words because the expression on his face abruptly changed.

  Nolan narrowed his eyes and his breathing turned harsh. He withdrew his fingers from my arm, much to my disappointment. The anger I could handle, but Nolan looked a little hurt as well. That didn’t bode well for me. I didn’t like seeing him like this.

  “Rhys, I only want to look out for you. I don’t want you sleeping in a shelter again. Stay here until you manage to get back on your feet. That’s all.”

  “That’s all?” I echoed in disbelief. “Most people I’ve come across aren’t as nice as you.”

  He shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal. Maybe Nolan was just a good guy. I was the one being all defensive and cynical.

  “Maybe you haven’t been hanging out with the right people. What are your plans for today?” He asked.

  The sudden change in topic brought me relief.

  “Not much,” I admitted. “I’ve been hanging out in the park or the library during the day. It’s not like I enjoy being a bum. I applied for a couple of jobs but I’ve never heard back from any of them.”

  I didn’t understand why I tried to explain myself to him. For some reason, I wanted him to know I wasn’t completely useless. I didn’t plan on staying a leech.

  “No surprise there,” Nolan said with a snort. “The economy’s gone to pieces. A month ago, the automobile factory by the river shut down. Plenty of good folks lost their jobs. There aren't a lot of opportunities in town.”

  “That and maybe, not a lot of folks want to hire an Omega who’s been all over the place. I’ve never kept a job for more than a month.” Once again, I’ve said too much.

  “Why’s that?” He asked. There was no judgment in his tone or expression. Nolan seemed genuinely curious about me.

  “Because the urge to travel kicks me in the gut sooner or later,” I said. “Going back to your question, no. I don’t have any plans.”

  “Good. You can come with me.”

  “Where are we going?” I asked, intrigued.

  “I volunteer at a local animal shelter during my free time, which I have in spades these days. They can always use a fresh pair of hands.”

  A shelter, huh? I didn’t possess a green thumb and I wasn’t good with animals. Taking care of living things wasn’t my forte but I looked forward to spending the entire day with Nolan.

  “Sounds great,” I told him.

  “Finish your food first,” he said. “Then we get ready.”

  Excitement streaked down my spine. Was it wrong I liked it when Nolan ordered me around?

  I thought I’d be annoyed at first, but it was the exact opposite. Nolan only took charge because he knew I needed direction. Nolan was about to grab my finished plate but I gripped his wrist.

  He flared his nostrils. Me touching him. Did that bother him?

  “I’ll do the dishes. You already cooked breakfast. I insist,” I said.

  “Fine.” He grunted and headed to the bathroom.

  4

  Nolan/ Rhys

  Nolan

  “I thought we were going to an animal shelter,” Rhys grumbled as we got out of my car. “Not a barber shop.”

  “You mentioned earlier in the car you missed having short hair.” I pointed out. Rhys chewed on his bottom lip. I had a feeling we were about to get into an argument.

  “You’ve done enough for me,” he said in a soft voice that made my cock ache.

  An hour ago, I nearly lost it in my kitchen. It had been so tempting to kiss him, to pull him into my arms. Then I remembered Rhys asking me what I wanted in return for letting him stay. That put a damper on my mood.

  “Rhys, it’s just one hair cut. It’s not the end of the world,” I said in a teasing tone. “Besides, I also need a trim.”

  Rhys gave me a skeptical look. It was a lie and we both knew it. I didn’t need a hair cut but suggesting I did might make him feel more comfortable.

  “There’s no getting out of this, is there?” He finally asked.

  I crossed my arms and gave him a pointed look. ‘“I’m heading in there. You can stay in the car if you want.”

  “I’m not a child.”

  Rhys followed me inside. Tom, the owner of the barbershop, greeted me by name. Tom curiously looked at Rhys. Rhys took a seat at one of the benches.

  “Weren’t you in here just a week ago?” Tom asked me as placed a sheet over my body. “What’ll it be?”

  Seven days ago, there was still no Rhys. I was still a bachelor, an ex-cop trying to figure out what I wanted to do next in my life.

  “A trim,” I told Tom. “I want my hair shorter.”

  Tom shrugged and went to work. He only had to cut half an inch, maybe even less. I was done in less than ten minutes. It was Rhys’ turn next. We exchanged places. There was no one else in the barbershop but the three of us.

  Rhys told Tom what he wanted. Tom grabbed a fresh pair of scissors.

  “You look familiar,” Tom remarked to Rhys.

  Rhys began to open his mouth, but Tom spoke again. “You’re Gene and Phil’s kid, aren’t you?”

  “Yeah,” Rhys muttered in a sullen voice.

  Tom must’ve gathered that Rhys wasn’t much of a conversationalist, because he didn’t ask Rhys any other questions. Fifteen minutes later, I paid Tom for two hair cuts. We were out of there.

  Back in my car, Rhys was quiet. It was a solemn mood. I debated turning the radio on but thought better of it. Half an hour later, we arrived at the animal shelter. Rhys finally spoke up.

  “I didn’t manage to thank you, for the hair cut,” he finally said. “I do feel better.”

  “You’re not just saying that because someone gave you a free hair cut?” The words slipped out by accident.

  I silently cursed myself, because arguing with Rhys was the
last thing I wanted. This was officially our first day out together. Chances were high Rhys would get fed up with me.

  He’d moved out and sleep at some crowded shelter in town and that scared me. Last night, I told myself he was dangerous because I had trouble controlling myself around him. Truth was, I liked being around him.

  It wasn’t like we have nothing in common. Sure, the difference in our ages was one factor but we were also both loners.

  “No, I was resistant to the idea at first but it feels nice. My head no longer feels heavy,” Rhys admitted.

  “Rhys,” I began. “Sometimes, people do good deeds because they want to. They don’t expect anything else in return.”

  Rhys frowned at those words. I opened my car door. “Come on. There’s no use lingering in the car.”

  The New Leaf Shelter was located on the outskirts of town. King, the owner, ran the shelter out of an old building that used to be a fire station. Rhys glanced at the old fire pole as we entered the building. Samuel, King’s Omega assistant, scurried over after spotting me.

  Samuel waved at me. Standing next to me, I felt Rhys tense.

  “Hey, Nolan, thanks for coming in today,” Samuel said.

  “Where’s King?” I asked, looking around and not seeing the other Alpha.

  “He took off earlier this morning without warning. He said he’s picking up this malnourished Golden Retriever in Seattle.”

  I whistled. Seattle was two thousand miles away and I knew King hated to fly. He probably took the rescue van with him.

  “Thanks for letting me know,” I told Samuel. “Have the dogs been fed?”

  Samuel shook his head. The Omega looked embarrassed. “I’ve been dealing with a ton of paperwork since I got in.”

  “Don’t worry about it. Rhys, and I would take care of that,” I said.

  I patted Rhys’ shoulder. Rhys jumped at my touch. Samuel and Rhys were about the same age, so I thought they would get along. Rhys seemed wary of the other Omega.