The bats had been previously shoo’ed out of the room, but evidently one remained. It swooped down to pick up the cell with some difficulty, then brought it to the bedside with an urgent squeak.
Benji groaned, impatient and sweaty. “What is she saying? What does she want?”
I saw Caleb’s name on the screen. “It’s your brother.”
Benji frowned. I saw the mental battle waging in his mind. He never refused a call from Caleb, but now wasn’t exactly the best time.
“Maybe you can call him back?” I suggested.
Benji sighed deeply. “No. Now I’m worried about him, so I’m not horny anymore, anyway…”
We disentangled ourselves. As he sat up in bed and took the call, I handed him a few tissues to wipe the sweat and fluids off himself.
“Caleb? What’s up?” Benji said.
As usual, I could hear the rest of the conversation due to my enhanced senses.
“Benji, hi,” Caleb began, his voice sounding less enthusiastic than it usually did. “Um, are you busy right now?”
Benji shot me a glance with a cringe. “Not anymore. What’s up?”
“Oh. I’m sorry. I can call you back later?” Caleb offered.
“No, dude, it’s fine. I’m already on the phone with you.”
I heard Caleb shuffle uncomfortably on the other line. “Okay. This is kind of awkward to tell you, but I don’t know what else to do.”
“What’s wrong?” Benji asked firmly. “Just say it.”
“They cut my hours at work,” Caleb murmured.
“What?”
Caleb sounded sad and embarrassed. “Well, it’s not their fault. I was missing a lot of work because my recovery needed me to stay at home often. But some of the stuff I used to do was heavy lifting, stuff that you can’t really do when you’re getting better after major surgery. I know it’s been a few months, but - ”
“What are you trying to say, Cale?” Benji stressed.
“I don’t have enough money to get by,” Caleb said. “With work cutting my hours, and with you not living here anymore, I can’t afford rent and food all by myself.”
Benji exhaled and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Geez. Why didn’t you just say so?”
“Huh?”
“I can handle that, okay? Don’t worry your head over it,” Benji told him.
“Are you sure?” Caleb asked, his voice strained. “I don’t want to make a habit of this. And you already sent me so much money for the surgery in the first place.”
I gestured for Benji to put the call on speakerphone, and he did so.
“Caleb,” I said. “After this call, send Benji a text with all your monthly expenses. We can work something out. It’s nothing to be ashamed about.”
Caleb sounded surprised to hear my voice. We’d spoken a couple times over the phone since our first conversation, and he’d slowly grown less cold towards me. I wanted him to realize that I truly loved Benji, and that he was family - not just an omega for breeding with.
Caleb’s voice wavered. “Pierce… Are you sure?”
“Yes. It’s not a big deal.”
“Hear that?” Benji grinned. “I told you, my mate is rich.”
