by Beau Brown
He pressed his lips tight. “I got the impression you wanted to stay on.”
“I do. But not so I can trap you by getting knocked up. I like Avery. I like living on a ranch. And most importantly, I need work.”
“Then I guess for now this arrangement suits us both.”
“Yep. For now.”
He shoved his hands in his pockets and looked like he wanted to say something else. But he didn’t, instead he turned and left the kitchen.
Once he was gone, I sat at the table and tried not to give into feelings of despair. I hadn’t lied about not wanting to trap him into being my alpha. But that didn’t mean it didn’t still hurt that, because of something my dad had done, my future would never be what it should. I was born to be a father. I was born to be loved and taken care of by my alpha. But I would never have any of that because of my dad, and I just needed to suck it up and accept that.
Chapter Four
Jake
I slept horribly after what happened with Hunter. I couldn’t help but feel like a heel after the way I’d behaved once I knew about his dad. Before he’d told me, I’d been ready to pounce on him and take what I wanted, consequences be damned. That was how it was when an alpha got around a willing omega in heat. But then he’d come clean about his family and I’d acted like an asshole. I’d seen the hurt on his face, even though he’d tried his best to hide it.
He was quiet the next morning at breakfast. Polite, but not friendly. Fortunately, Avery was his usual chatty self and there weren’t many long silences. But it was still awkward as hell, and I couldn’t get out of the house fast enough.
I spent most of the day digging holes and repairing fences with Tex. It was hard work and my back was killing me by the time it was lunch. The ranch hands usually packed a lunch, but today Tex had asked if he could join me for meal at the house. He’d used the excuse that he’d forgotten his lunch pail at home, but I knew it was because he wanted to sniff around Hunter some more.
When we walked into the house, Hunter had the table set with sandwiches piled on a platter and a big bowl of potato salad. He nodded a curt hello to me, but Tex warranted a big smile.
“This looks amazing,” Tex said, pulling his hat off and running his fingers through his dark hair. He annoyed me when he sat across from Hunter, leaving me toward the end of the table.
“Where’s Avery?” I asked gruffly, taking my seat.
“He ate already. He’s upstairs drawing.” Hunter spoke curtly.
Tex bit into one of the sandwiches and the moans he gave sounded like he was having an orgasm or something. I gave him an irritable glance and shook my head, helping myself to a generous helping of the potato salad.
“Did you make this roast beef or is it lunch meat?” Tex took another bite.
“I made it.” Hunter looked flattered. “Is it good?”
Tex nodded vigorously. “You bet.”
I helped myself to a sandwich, and my first bite confirmed Tex was right about the sandwich being excellent. The bread was soft and the beef flavorful and tender. “Damn, that is good.”
Hunter ignored my comment. “I made lemonade if anyone wants some.”
“Sure,” I responded.
“I’d love some lemonade,” Tex said.
“You got it.” Hunter smiled at Tex and poured him a glass first. Then he filled my glass, making zero eye contact with me.
Even though I couldn’t really blame him for being unhappy with me, I still didn’t appreciate him acting like Tex was the main alpha. “Tex, you still need to fix the timing belt on the tractor,” I said in a raspy voice.
“Yep.” Tex grimaced. His expression brightened when he looked at Hunter. “Hey, do you like movies?”
“Yeah,” Hunter grinned.
“I was thinking—” Tex began.
“And don’t forget you need to pick up the oats down at the feed store later today,” I muttered.
Tex frowned. “I know.”
“What was it you were thinking?” Hunter nudged Tex.
“Oh, yeah.” He gave me a grumpy look. “I kind of lost my train of thought for a second there.”
“Well, go on,” Hunter said with a smile.
“I was wondering if—”
“Did you ever order more barbed wire like I told you to the other day?” I shoveled a fork full of potato salad into my mouth.
Tex exhaled and shot me a surly look. “Can’t a man enjoy his lunch without hearing about all the things he still has to do?”
My face warmed at his irritable tone. “What?”
“I’m trying to have a conversation with Hunter here. Maybe you hadn’t noticed?”
“He doesn't like it when people enjoy themselves,” Hunter said in a snippy voice. He took a sip of lemonade.
“Says who?” I growled.
Hunter snorted. “Everything is work, work, work.”
“And that’s a problem for you?” I raised one brow.
He rolled his eyes. “Personally, I could care less. I just feel sorry for anyone who tries to enjoy themselves around you.”
Tex snorted a laugh. “God, ain’t that the truth!”
I scowled. “Things need doing around here.” I pointed at Tex. “Goodness knows you’d get lost chasing your tail if I didn’t keep you on task.”
“That’s not true. You just don’t trust me enough to let me do things in my own time, in my own way.”
“That’s because I’d prefer they actually get done this year,” I growled.
Hunter shook his head. “I’ve rarely met such a stick in the mud.”
My face flushed and I stiffened my shoulders. “Why is everyone jumping down my throat?”
“Because I’m trying to ask Hunter out on a date and you keep interrupting,” Tex said, giving Hunter a charming grin.
“Oh, that was you asking me out?” Hunter’s smile mirrored Tex’s in warmth.
“Sure was. What do you say?”
I couldn’t quite figure out why Tex was bugging me so much today. He was just being like he always was around attractive omegas. He was a flirt through and through. So why was his philandering behavior eating at me?
Before Hunter could answer Tex, I stuffed the rest of my sandwich in my mouth and scraped back my chair. Hunter gave me a blank look and Tex barely seemed to notice. I dumped the rest of my potato salad off my plate and into the trash, having lost my appetite, and made my way back outside.
Part of my erratic and irritable behavior lately was because I was sexually frustrated. Having an omega around who was in heat was a definite temptation I hadn’t counted on. It had been a long while since I’d bothered to seek any male company for anything other than roping horses and working on the ranch. There were a couple of omegas a town over that I’d fooled around with a few years back. But since then I’d mostly just focused on the ranch. To be honest those encounters had been unfulfilling and had left me feeling empty and depressed. I’d always been a little different than the usual alpha. I preferred a connection with my sexual partners and didn’t really like just fucking around.
I sighed and pulled my shirt off, hanging it over the paddock fence. I grabbed a shovel and started scooping horse manure. Nothing helped get my mind off of confusing thoughts like hard work. By the time Tex finally joined me, I was covered in sweat and feeling a little less agitated. He had a big, self-satisfied smile on his face as he leaned against the fence.
I shot him an irritable glance. “How about you grab a shovel and pitch in?”
“Oh, sure.” He went into the barn and came back out with a shovel. He started working a few feet from me with that same smug smile on his face.
His smirk annoyed me so much, I had to say something. “What I don’t need is you messing around with Hunter and causing trouble.” My voice was gruff.
“Why would taking the guy on a date cause trouble?”
I gave a hard laugh. “I know you. If you break his heart he’s gonna leave, and I’ll have to try and find another
nanny. You and I both know that’s no easy task.”
“I don’t plan on breaking his heart.”
I stopped what I was doing and I leaned on the handle of my shovel. “You’re a player, Tex. It’s what you do. I don’t get the feeling Hunter is like that.”
“It might surprise you to know I actually like the guy.” He sounded breathless.
I scowled. “Since when?”
“We’ve talked a bit when you weren’t around.” He laughed. “We have a lot in common.”
“Right. That and you want to jump his bones.”
He grinned. “Well, that too.”
“I’m serious, Tex. I need him to stay.”
He paused what he was doing, his face sweaty and flushed. “Are you telling me I can’t date the guy?” He looked annoyed. “Since when do you interfere with my love life?”
“You mean sex life. Don’t pretend this has anything to do with love.”
He shrugged. “It could turn into something. I’m not lying. I really like Hunter. Yes, I want to fuck him too. So? Since when is that any of your business?”
“I told you I don’t want him quittin’ on me.”
He started shoveling manure again. “Hunter is a big boy. I don’t get the feeling he’s a delicate hot house flower. But I’ll treat him with respect, don’t worry.”
His stubborn refusal to stop pursuing Hunter pissed me off, and before I realized what I was saying, I blurted out, “He’s got shit in his past that may make you rethink your interest in him.”
Tex stopped what he was doing and he stared at me with a funny expression. “What?”
My face was hot and I dropped my gaze. I wanted to pretend that I was warning Tex for his own good, but the truth was I felt territorial about Hunter. I knew it made no sense, seeing as I’d treated him like something I wanted to scrape off the bottom of my boot. But there was a definite feeling of possessiveness toward him.
I sucked in a big breath and met Tex’s confused gaze. “Ask him about his family.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s got some skeletons in his closet.”
“Who doesn’t?” He shook his head. “Jesus, Jake. I’m surprised at you.”
My flush deepened at his disgusted tone. “I’m just looking out for you.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Liar. You’re attracted to him the same as me. I don’t blame you. He’s the prettiest eye candy we’ve had around here in a long while.” His mouth stiffened. “But don’t throw him under the bus just to warn me off. He doesn’t deserve that.”
Shame washed through me and I knew he was right. My motivations were selfish. I couldn’t stand the thought of Tex touching Hunter. I’d treated him like he wasn’t good enough for me, but I didn’t want anyone else having him either. That wasn’t like me. I was acting like an asshole.
“You’re right.” My voice was hushed.
Tex balanced his shovel against the fence. “If you don’t want me to go out with him because you’re interested, just say the word. But if you aren’t gonna make a move on him, and you’re just being a territorial alpha, then you need to back off and let the rest of us have a try. It’s not good for an omega to be alone. You know that.”
“He’s not alone. He’s here with me and Avery.”
He sighed. “You know what I mean. Omegas want their own families. He’s not going to spend his whole life just watching over other people’s kids. He’ll want some babies of his own.”
“He says he’s not interested in that.”
“He’s an omega. Of course he wants that.”
I gave him suspicious look. “I would think that would have you running for the hills. Since when are you interested in anything permanent? You looking to settle down all of a sudden, Tex?”
His expression was odd. “Maybe. I’m twenty-six and I can’t stay single forever. You know how it is. My parents have been at me a lot lately to grow up and think about my future. Omegas like Hunter don’t come along every day.”
Once again, my stomach clenched with distaste at the thought of Tex actually starting something serious with Hunter. “Look, all I’m saying is there are things you don’t know.”
Squinting, he asked softly, “What’s so horrible that it would turn me off of him?”
“I told him I wouldn’t gossip.”
“Seriously? You’ve hinted he’s damaged goods. I should at least get to know why.”
I sighed and glanced toward the house. “I’ve already said too much.”
“This thing you keep hinting at, is it something Hunter did?”
I shook my head. “No. It was his dad.”
Relief washed over his tense features. “Oh, well I don’t give a damn about that. I’m not gonna judge Hunter on something his dad did. Hell, Jake, what kind of a shallow asshole do you take me for?”
The same kind as me?
“This isn’t the 50’s. My generation doesn’t fixate on social status like yours,” Tex said.
“Then I guess my only concern is that you don’t do anything to make him quit his job.”
Tex chewed his lower lip as he studied me. “I’ve been thinking lately, why are you still alone?”
“What?” I frowned, surprised by his question.
“It’s been long enough you should have taken on a new omega by now. Why haven’t you?”
I started shoveling again, if only so I didn’t have to meet his keen gaze. “It’s not like omegas are lining up to live all the way out here.”
“Sure. But you’re not even looking. How old are you, forty-something? It’s not good for you to be alone either. Alphas need omegas just like omegas need alphas.”
“I’m fine the way I am.”
“Not even close.”
“Worry about your own love life.”
He put his hands on his hips. “What I’m about to say is completely against my own self-interests, but… Hunter is just the kind of omega you need.”
“Shut up.”
“I’m serious. He’s very warm and nurturing and it’s obvious he adores Avery.”
“There’s more to it than that.”
“Not as far as I’m concerned.”
I stopped digging and looked up. “Unlike you, I do care about social standing.”
“Why?”
I scowled. “Why?”
“Yeah, why do you care about social standing? You’ve barely got a penny in the bank and you rarely ever even go into town. You’re not at the top. You’re in the middle at best. Why is social class such a big deal to you?”
I frowned. “Well… my family comes from a good line.”
“So if someone in your family fucks up, that negates all the good stuff?”
I shrugged. “Probably. Depending on what they did wrong.”
“And that seems fair to you? You didn’t do anything wrong but now suddenly everyone treats you like shit?”
“That’s just how it’s always been.”
He narrowed his eyes. “What if you fucked up? Do you think it’s fair that Avery would be judged and treated like dirt for something he didn’t do?”
A chill went through me. “Be quiet.”
“I’m dead serious. Would you think it’s cool that Avery’s entire life should be overshadowed by your mistake?”
His questions made me feel sick. The very idea that people would treat Avery poorly at all made my gut ache. “I didn’t make the rules. It’s simply how it is.”
“Then it needs to change because that’s bullshit. Each individual is responsible for their actions. I’m not responsible for anyone but me.”
I wiped my sweaty brow with the back of my arm. “Maybe in a perfect world—”
“Perfect worlds don’t just happen. If we want things to change then we have to change how we see things.” His eyes were heated. “I’m not going to judge Hunter based on anything other than how he treats me. If you have half a brain you’ll do the same.”
I bristled at the disrespect in his voice.
“Watch your tone.”
He leaned toward me. “You want to fire me for speaking the truth? Then do it. But I’ll tell you this, if I witness you being unkind or disparaging toward Hunter in front of me, I’ll stand up for him. Because you’re out of line if you think you’re better than him. You need to take a long hard look at yourself, boss.” He turned and stomped away with his spine stiff.
The prideful part of me was tempted to fire his ass for how he’d spoken to me. But Tex wasn’t wrong about my social standing. After Felix had died, I’d hit hard times and I wasn’t at the top anymore. Would that reflect on Avery? If I wasn’t able to pull the ranch out of its slump, would Avery forever be branded as a second class citizen because of me? I felt sick at that thought and also angry at Tex for making me face the truth.
Chapter Five
Hunter
“Avery, hold still.” I laughed, pouring water over the little boy’s head.
“I’m gonna drown!” Avery sputtered, blowing water from his lips and waving his arms wildly.
Grinning, I said, “No you’re not. You’re fine. I just need to get the shampoo out of your hair.” I started pouring the water again.
“Help.” He slapped his hands down and water splashed over one side of my face and body.
“Avery!” I screeched, as bubbles trickled down my face. “What are you doing?”
“Swimming.” His voice was raised.
I snorted a laugh. “You can’t swim in a tub. Stop moving so much.” I glanced down at my drenched shirt. “Look what you did to me.”
He giggled. “Sorry.”
“If you’re so sorry why are you smiling?” I lifted one brow.
He shrugged. “I just am.”
“Hold your breath and don’t move.” I poured the last of the water from the cup over his hair. “That’s better.”
He let out his breath dramatically. “I hate baths.” He panted and rubbed his face.
“I can tell.” I stood and wiped my face with the bath towel I had for Avery. Then I helped him from the tub and dried him off briskly. He laughed and tried to escape, but I held him tight and finished the job. Once he was dry, I swatted his little butt playfully. “Go get your pajamas on.”
