What problems?
Since it could be hours before Orson replied, he set his phone on the table and took another drink.
Grant tapped his arm to gesture to where Lucky and his friends were approaching.“Want to join us?”
“We have class in an hour and can’t stay long,” Lucky said, shooting Chase a nervous glance.
Grant moved to the end of their bench and patted the space between for Lucky, planting him right next to Chase.Kain, the campus social butterfly who knew everyone through six degrees of separation, ended up on Grant’s other side.Caroline and Phoenix flanked Neko across the table, having shared classes together.Neko and Caroline were already discussing the essay he was working on.
“Chase was telling us how he kidnapped you yesterday,” Grant said, capturing the attention of the table.
Lucky laughed, loud and startled.“If being kidnapped means good food and conversation, kidnap me any time,” he joked, not bothered by Grant’s goading.Lucky leaned his elbow on the table and focused on Chase.“How is Pip?”
He smiled, grateful that he even remembered his name, never mind asked about him.“Okay.My mother had him all afternoon,” he explained, not surprised that everyone ignored them, no longer interested in eavesdropping.“I’ve got my brother checking in with Hana.He’s got kids and knows what to ask.”
Lucky nibbled on his bottom lip.“Pip will be okay.He’s got you.”
When Lucky smiled, Chase had to look away.It shouldn’t hurt to see someone smile.
Lucky
Chase insisted he was only checking references for a completed essay on its second draft, so Lucky refused to feel guilty about monopolising his time, since even Grant chimed in.
Talking about Pip opened him up on a new level.
“He’s more like a little brother or my kid than he is my nephew,” he explained, typing efficiently and effortlessly.“Orson hinted at problems Hana’s going through and I don’t want that affecting Pip.I don’t want him to live a life where his parents are tolerating him, but notlovinghim.”
Lucky laid his hand on Chase’s arm.“Youcare and love him.He’s not alone.”Pip wouldn’t go through whatever was happening without support.Chase smiled but didn’t say anything, so Lucky attempted to lighten the mood.“How did you tolerate growing up with Hana?She was a rude bitch yesterday, and she doesn’t even know me.”
Grant snorted, capturing Chase’s attention, while Grant focused on Lucky.“Sorry, but you’re the only person besides me and Neko who sees that side to her.”
“She doesn’t have a high opinion of omegas, does she?”
“No, she’s an equal opportunities bitch.”
Lucky rolled his eyes, not sure if that was as reassuring as Grant thought.“We still have things on your list to fill out.”
Chase flashed a rare, warm smile as if he’d enjoyed the game as much as Lucky had.He’d already discovered that Chase preferred fudge to brownies and liked chilli flakes in his noodles.He wanted to travel to one city in each of the twelve provinces, and he’d been friends with Neko and Grant since he was ten and couldn’t imagine a future without them.That still left six, unless the concern about Pip was one of his ten secrets.
Chase laid his forearms on the table, around his book.“Five is a lot, but I do want a big family.”The look he shot Lucky was more intimate than Lucky expected, while his words made Grant choke on his drink and Caroline gasp.“It helped me grow up and find my independence, discover who I was and what makes me stand out.I had to be strong, stubborn and learn to speak my mind or I faded into the background.I’m not sure I would have had that push without my siblings.”
“I can see that.”
“Being the second youngest meant my grandparents left me a trust fund,” he admitted with a pleased smile.“They worried Zack and I would struggle more than the others, with the way my father’s gambling spiralled over the years, so they prepared a nest egg.I got access to mine when I was twenty-one and bought two apartment blocks in the middle of town.I’ve been working on doing them up, to eventually rent them out for a steady income.”
“That’s smart.”
“And more work than I expected,” Chase confessed sheepishly.“I’ve done two apartments and an office space, but I don’t have much time with college and family duties.”The way he sat up and used a posh voice for the last two words made Lucky laugh.
He shook his head, not sure when his perception of Chase had changed.“I can’t imagine you stuffed into a suit.It sounds awful.”
Chase leaned in unnecessarily close.“My father once arranged my mating, one month after I turned of age.”He only gave Lucky time to raise an eyebrow, astonished his father would be so brazen, then he smirked.“I threatened to leave the family, change my name and move to Fortar if he didn’t cancel.”
Lucky hid a smile behind his hand.“You can’t even get into Fortar without a local to vouch for you.”
“He didn’t know that.”
“You are devious,” he said, amazed that no one knew this about the infamous Chase Walker.“You’re still three short.”
