by Rosa Swann
The Baristas’ Surprise (Omegas’ Destined Alpha 1)
Copyright © 2018 ROSA SWANN
All rights reserved. No part of this story may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without express written permission of the copyright holder.
This book contains sexually explicit content which is suitable only for mature adults.
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Blurb
Two Omegas. One kiss. And an Alpha who wasn’t supposed to see it happen…
Nathan
I’m supposed to be an author, but I haven’t finished a book in years. Not since things got out of control. So, to hopefully get back on my feet, I move to a new city, start teaching at college and suddenly find myself intrigued by two Omegas that pass me by every morning.
One day, on a whim, I follow them and see something I shouldn’t have seen. A kiss. A beautiful kiss. And it stirs something inside me...
Zeke
I fled from the arranged marriage my parents set up for me and I was ready to give up on love entirely, and then my best friend saved his younger Omega brother, Wes, from a bad situation and suddenly I was falling, head over heels. It’s amazing to be at Wes’ side and to see him flourish, even if our relationship is a little complicated, we’re making it work. Maybe love isn’t so bad after all.
What I hadn’t counted on was the Alpha walking into the cafe, and the way my eyes keep getting drawn to him...
Wes
After my brother saved me from my abusive ex, I’m getting my feet back under me. I’m finally doing the things I was never able to do, like having a job and going to college. It’s not easy to combine it with caring for my four children. But with my Omega boyfriend Zeke and my brother’s family at my side, we make it work, they’re all the people I’ll ever need.
Until, one morning, an Alpha walks into the cafe that I work at, and he asks Zeke and me out on a date, together...
1. Nathan
“Move to a new city,” they said.
“You’ll find back your muse,” they said.
Fuck that.
I’ve been in this city for months and nothing has changed. I’m still in the same writing rut I’ve been in for over a year... I’d hoped that by now I’d be back to work, creating words, but every day gets more frustrating and I’m not seeing an end to it.
Getting away from the bad situation was hard enough... I lived that nightmare for way too long. But I couldn’t stay in my city anymore, I had to get away. So I moved, I moved away as far as I could... Luckily the college here could use a literature professor, so I guess my speciality is at least appreciated somewhere.
I came here at the start of the summer and now it’s already nearly fall. I saw the city empty as all the students left, and then fill again as the new semester started, and although classes have been going well and the students and colleagues are nice... I feel like an empty husk of myself when I can’t write. When the words just won’t come. Not for lack of trying.
It’s early in the morning and I’m sitting at the window of the local coffee shop. I’ve got my laptop in front of me, a blank new file open, but the page won’t fill, it will stay empty, as they have been for longer than I would like. I keep looking outside, checking the time. The only reason—no, reasons—I keep coming here are about to pass by on the street.
A writer, sitting at a cafe, it feels so stereotypical. And that’s why I keep doing it, keep coming here, hoping that at least somewhere in my head the switch will flip back again and I’ll be able to write. Although, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to write for a living again. I think I may have just broken my brain with all the mess that went down. But, for the last few weeks, there is a new reason that I like to come here. Every morning, two Omegas pass by this cafe, often with one or more children with them, and they seem so happy, always chatting.
The first time I saw them, I’d been sitting here, staring into nothingness, annoyed that this would be yet another failed morning. And then, right outside the window, these two Omegas walked by, talking animatedly and generally just looking like they were having fun. They walked so closely together, leaning into each other, so close that I almost felt that it was too intimate to look at. But I couldn’t look away either. My eyes kept going to them.
The next morning, I saw them again, laughing, having fun. Probably on their way to work or something.
And since then, it’s been the one thing I look forward to every morning, seeing them, watching them as they walk by the window. It’s been the same for weeks now, I watch them as they pass by and then I try to return to my writing.
But not today, today I need something different.
On impulse, I close my file and then shut down the laptop. I put it in my bag and wait, staring out the window. I see the two Omegas turn onto this street, walking, talking. Two young children with them, both of them being carried, looking content.
I don’t think, I don’t give myself a chance to back out. What I’ve been doing for months, doesn’t seem to work, so today it’s time for something else. I stand up and get out of the coffee shop, watching the Omegas, staying on the other side of the street, but keeping my eyes on them. I follow them for a few minutes. Then, they turn a corner, and as I follow them, I see them slip into the alleyway between some buildings, going to the back of the stores that line this street.
I lost them, out of sight. They’re probably going into one of the stores, there really is no other way, these small alleyways are used to bring supplies to the shops. But do I dare to wait and see which one?
Then, on my right, one of the stores’ lights turn on, a cafe. I look at it, it’s a cafe for parents and kids called ‘Away From Home’. I’ve heard of it, some of my students enjoy studying here because the coffee is cheap and so is the internet. And, apparently, some of the Omegas like it here because it’s such a friendly place to be.
One of the guys, the blond, walks into the front of the cafe, the eldest of the children running around his feet and he laughs as he starts turning on machines and moving tables and chairs around. Then the guy with dark curly hair comes in too, laughing at something that is being said. Then, before I even realise what’s happening, one of them leans in and gives the other a kiss. Not just on the cheek, not just on the forehead, or anything innocent. No, an honest lover’s kiss. It doesn’t take very long, but the emotions are obvious. They have no idea I saw them.
Something in my chest expands, filling with an emotion I don’t know if I can trust. Or if I should even feel it, seeing two Omegas kiss, two male Omegas.
Then, the doors at the front of the cafe open and the blond guy looks at me, smiling. “Sorry, we’re not open for another twenty minutes. If you’re in a hurry, you may want to find a different cafe.” He starts dragging chairs outside and arranging them, making places outside to sit.
A little boy is trying to walk out of the doors of the cafe, but the guy easily catches him, carrying him back inside. “No, no. Not now. You’re staying inside while we’re all inside.” He eyes me for a moment and then closes a child gate in front of the door before he walks to the back. I realise that the other guy is also looking my way, his eyes more guarded.
Twenty minutes. They’ll open in twenty minutes. I do the second impulsive thing for the day, and actually sit down in one of the chairs, grabbing a book from my bag and starting to read.
The blond guy looks at me from the doorway for a moment as he’s carrying some menus and things for on the tables outside, before smiling and shaking his head a little.
“What? I’m
not allowed to sit here, waiting?”
“Don’t think that’s against the rules. Go ahead. They’re there anyway.” He smiles, and goes back inside.
I don’t know what it is, but I really want to get to know these guys better. They’ve been pulling at my attention for weeks now and I’m here anyway.
And, of course, I saw something interesting just now…
* * *
As I’m waiting, more people start coming over, many of them with young children. I’d heard of these cafes before, where people are actually encouraged to take their children with them. Though, I’ve never been to one. Why would I? I don’t have kids. But with the way some cafes deal with children, I get why they would like it better here.
I stand up as the doors open again and people start filing in. Many of them sitting at the different tables, some going to the back where I guess are more rooms. The atmosphere is very relaxed here, the tables and chairs purposefully all a little different and the layout is very open, tables and seats far enough apart for even twin strollers to pass between. I go to a raised area in the middle, some high tables with high chairs and set up to easily plug in a laptop and things like that.
I put my bag on the table and sit down, making myself comfortable as I have a clear view of the counter where the guys are working. They run around, taking orders and bringing them to the different tables. It’s a little chaotic, especially with young kids running everywhere too, but it soon calms down again when everyone has their drinks. Then the guy with the dark hair looks at me, coming over. Now he’s closer, I can see that he’s the older of the two and he seems to have more experience working at a cafe.
“Hi. I’m pretty sure that I didn’t ask you what you wanted to drink yet. Do you have a card, or would you like one?” He leans on the table a little, a kind smile plastered on his face.
“A card?”
“Is this your first time in one of our cafes?” He keeps smiling.
“Ah, yes. I only recently moved here, I haven’t been to this cafe before.”
“Okay. Well, we have a customer card that basically works as a prepaid card, you buy it and then it allows for drinks and free internet for ten half-days. Or you can just buy a drink, which also comes with free internet, but the card is much cheaper if you plan on coming here more often.” His eyes stay on me, going from friendly and polite to slightly curious.
“Oh. Hmm. I’d just like a drink this time.” Sure, the guys are cute, easy to look at, but I’m not sure I’d actually be able work here, not that I get much work done elsewhere either… But let’s not turn this into more than it already has for now.
“Cool. Can do. What would you like to drink?” He takes out a notepad.
“Just a coffee, black, large. Thank you.” Keeping it simple.
“Coming right up.” The guy smiles one last time, and then he goes back to the counter. Along the way, he easily grabs the little boy from before who is running through the middle path, and carries him with him. It’s fun to watch them. If you look at the guys even for a while, you can see the way they interact with each other, how close they are. They’re not just friends, not family either. They’re lovers. No matter how hard they try to hide it, it’s obvious from where I’m sitting.
* * *
I’ve stayed much longer than I expected. And curiously enough, I’ve actually written the start of a story. Nothing serious, nothing on the work I should be working on from my publisher, but I’ve started writing a story for children. It’s not my first time, but it’s not the type of stories that will bring in money to live off.
The cafe has gotten quiet, it’s probably right before the lunch rush.
“Would you like a refill?” The blond guy comes over, holding a pot with coffee.
“I’d like that, thanks.” I move the empty cup in his direction.
He fills it, then he looks at what I’m doing, his eyes curious. “I hope I’m not a bother, but what are you working on? If I may ask?”
“A story.”
“Ah, cool. Do you write a lot? You look so serious, sitting there.” He steps a little closer and something inside me wants to reach out to him, touch him.
“Sometimes.” I shrug. He doesn’t need to know about the writing block…
“That’s so cool.” He actually sounds excited. “Can I read it?”
“Maybe when it’s finished.” I grin. “It’s not much of anything right now. I’m Nathan, by the way.”
“Wes.” He smiles.
Then we watch as the other guy rushes after the little girl that they brought with them. Catching her and she lets out a fit of giggles, all excited, and he hugs her tightly, also grinning. “Got you.” Then some of the other kids swarm around him too, all wanting to be carried and hunted after.
“She doesn’t look like she’s his daughter.” The girl is a blond, the guy isn’t. I can’t help but try to find out more about these guys.
“I would hope not.” Wes lets out a short laugh.
“Is she your niece?” The family relation between the two seems obvious. Though he barely looks old enough to be out of college, so the daughter of an older sibling would make sense. And the kiss from before would mean that he’s not interested in Alphas, is he?
Wes raises his eyebrows and then lets out a laugh. But before he can answer the other guy comes over, handing him the girl.
“Dada.” The little wraps her arms around Wes.
“Your daughter?” That’s a surprising twist.
“Yeah.” He colours a little.
“What?” The other guy looks at us both.
“Nothing,” Wes answers, rolling his eyes. “I’m gonna get this lady something to drink. Talk to you later, Nathan. I still want to read that story you’re writing.”
“After I finish it,” I promise him. It would give me a great excuse to talk to him again.
He nods as he walks off, smiling.
“On a first-name base with our favourite barista?” The other guy eyes me.
I shrug. “Can’t help it when he’s cute.”
“I can’t stay behind, then.” He winks. “I’m Zeke.”
“Nathan.” I nod to him. “Hey. That girl, is she really his daughter?”
Zeke nods. “Yeah. The little boy I was carrying earlier is his son.” He looks after them, his eyes soft.
“He doesn’t look old enough to have a kid, let alone two.” They’re both his? I find it a little hard to believe.
Zeke’s eyes change a little. “Yeah...” Then he blinks, pulling up his smiling mask again. “If you need something to eat, or another drink, just wave for us.” He’s turned back into the happy guy I saw before, and I wonder what went through his eyes before... What it was that saw.
2. Wes
The guy I saw this morning as we were opening the store, Nathan, is still sitting in the same place as he did after he came in. Normally, Alphas coming in on their own don’t stay for very long, but he’s been sitting there with his laptop, writing or doing whatever, for hours now.
I can feel his eyes on me, his interest. And then there was that surprised look in his eyes when he found out that Mia was my daughter... I don’t think I should tell him that she’s my youngest, my youngest out of four... I know that a lot of Alphas have their own ideas about working Omegas, especially when they have children. This cafe has been created for working parents, Omegas mostly, but even between Omegas I can sometimes see the judgemental looks. It’s hard to ignore...
My brother, Clay, the owner of this chain of cafes, has been a lifesaver in the last year. Not only did he take me and my kids in, but with the new school year starting, he’s also helping me out with college and allowing me to work here part-time. This is a life I’ve never known before, a life I only saw from others, a life I sometimes dreamed I could have had.
I got married and had a kid right out of high school. I was living the supposed dream, marrying my high school sweetheart. But reality was different. And the years quickly turned da
rk, even after I had more kids. Last year, the day Mia was born, Clay and his mate Aiden saved me from my ex-husband, got me out of the abusive relationship. And I’ve been living with them ever since. But even with all the help, it’s taken us a long time before the lawsuit against my ex and the divorce after that went through and I’ve only really been free the last handful of months.
This freedom, it’s scary.
It’s scary and exciting at the same time. I’ve made so many new friends and my kids are doing really well.
But it didn’t start out like that. After the initial shock of getting away from my ex and then settling in here, I felt very lost, I didn’t know what to do with my life anymore. Not that I should have worried, really. With four kids, all under the age of six at the time, I was constantly busy.
But thinking of the future was scary. I was lucky that my brother, his Omega and their friends were there for me because I don’t know if I would have survived all of this otherwise. At least not with my sanity intact, somewhat. Because there were some really dark times.
And now, working, going to college and taking care of my kids, I feel like my life has finally started. I feel like I’m finally able to do the things I’ve always wanted to do. This life, this path I’m on now, I can see myself being happy on it ten, twenty or even sixty years down the road.
It helped that Zeke was there for me since the start. He was there when I was so exhausted and scared that first day at Aiden’s place. He came up to me and actually made me feel good, made me feel like I was doing the right thing. And after that, he stayed at my side, always supporting me, always being there for me, always knowing what I need. He is the type of Omega I always wished I could be; kind, caring, with a degree and a job that he loves.
A couple of months ago, instead of keeping the lease on his own place going, he moved in with all of us. It didn’t make much sense for him to keep his place, since he was always over at ours anyway. And it didn’t make much of a difference for us. I live with my brother Clay, his mate and their three kids, plus, of course, my four little ones. Adding Zeke to all of that wasn’t too big of a change.
