Drinking. Talking to Chase. More like making small talk with Chase, if he was being honest with himself. That was another thing that made him feel guilty as hell - sure, he got along with Chase and he was a nice guy, but there was something missing. Chase definitely wasn’tthe one.
Stark cursed himself. He should have told Chase about this earlier. Now, by bringing him to the party, he was leading him on. Stark made a mental note to give Chase a call to end things properly before he let this go on any longer.
But that just brought up another problem. Stark’s stomach was in knots as Kyle’s face flashed in his mind’s eye. Kyle in bed with him, naked. Kyle, who he had drunken sex with.
Stark shook his head. This was a fucking disaster. He stared down at his hands, which had started trembling. How could he ever apologize to Kyle about this? How could he evenbeginto make this right?
A frustrated sob crawled up Stark’s throat, but he swallowed hard until it was gone. He couldn’t remember the last time he had been this emotional about something - except when he’d been taken captive by Silvercreek pack last year.
No, Stark thought with a grim shake of his head. Even that was better than this.
Everything had seemed so perfect after his rescue. He was safe in his pack once more, and Kyle was finally home, no longer forced to live in the barbaric old omega breeding facility. Scout and Killian could finally be together, royalty who led the pack…
And with a daughter of their own, it was like their lives couldn’t be more perfect.
A thought struck Stark like a bolt of lightning.
Cold dread crawled up his skin, making him explode into sweat.
Had he gotten Kyle pregnant?
* * *
“No, Stark. I thought I told you to stay home,” Killian said firmly. His eyes were darkened, presumably from staying up late at the party last night.
“Please, Killian,” Stark said. “I need something to get my mind off… everything. I need to go back to work. Please.”
Killian leaned again the doorframe. Usually he didn’t come all the way down to the main door, but when Stark had begged the doorman to get Killian, what else could he do but show up for his friend?
But Stark was beginning to think Killian regretted that decision. The king let out a sigh.
“I know you want to go back to work. Badly.” Killian rubbed his forehead. “But I don’t think it’s good for you to be working when you’re in this state.”
Stark blinked in confusion. “What state is that?”
“I’ll be blunt,” Killian said. “You’re a mess.”
Stark felt like the king had slapped him. “Excuse me?” he asked, bewildered.
“I don’t mean that to be rude,” Killian said gently, reaching out to put a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “But I can see it in your eyes. You’re stressed out. You’re tired. Something’s bothering you.”
“Yeah,” Stark said stiffly. “The fact that I can’t go and do my job.”
“Iknowyou,” Killian continued. “This isn’t normal stress.” He paused. “If something’s on your mind, you can tell me, you know. I may be the king now, but we’re still friends.”
As much as Stark appreciated his friends kindness, he was still prickling with agitation. There was nothing wrong with him. He was just fine.
“Thanks, but I’m okay,” Stark said. He turned to leave. “Thanks anyway.”
As he began descending the stairs, Killian’s voice rang out behind him once again. “Oh, by the way, Stark.”
Stark paused and looked back over his shoulder.
“Scout was telling me earlier that Kyle is looking for you. He says he has something important to talk about.’
Stark felt sick again. “Okay. Thanks for letting me know.”
He turned and walked briskly down the steps until he was out of sight, then he ran desperately all the way home.
