“Mackenzie,” he whispered.
Mackenzie should have said something romantic—he’d been planning to—but instead, his brain-mouth filter decided to break down.“You’re a carrier.”
The words hung between them, making everything awkward.Nico’s hands dropped from Mackenzie’s face, and he took a step back.Mackenzie wanted him back to where he’d been, but he didn’t dare reach for him.
“Yes,” Nico said.“Is that a problem?”
“No.I mean, yes.I mean—” Mackenzie ran his hands through his hair, frustrated.“Not the way you think.It’s just unfamiliar.Even with Dean, I’ve only just learned what it means.The idea that you could—” He gestured at Nico.“That we could have children together.It’s overwhelming.”
Nico’s shoulders relaxed slightly.“I understand.”
“My family and I don’t really understand this,” Mackenzie admitted.“We know Dean’s dating Jasper, and they’re trying to be supportive, but we don’t understand the politics, the biology, any of it.It’s just going to take a while to wrap my mind around all of it.”
“I’ll give you as much time as you need.I didn’t come here tonight with expectations.”
Mackenzie snorted.“Please.We both expected this to happen.”
Nico was smiling again.That was good.“Okay, maybe I did expect we’d at least kiss.I get it, though.Shifters have kept the carriers secret, so you didn’t know it was a possibility.”
Mackenzie nodded, relieved.“And I’m gay, so I’ve never had to worry about this kind of thing, you know?There was never a possibility of a pregnancy, but there will be if we continue this.”
Nico cocked his head.“Is that a bad thing?Heterosexual couples make it work.”
“It’s not a problem.Youaren’t a problem.It’s just a lot, especially when you consider that it means we could have a family together one day.I never thought I’d have that, not in the way we could.”Mackenzie had thought he’d adopt.He’d never imagined he could have children related to him, and while that wasn’t the most important thing when it came to kids, he couldn’t deny that the thought of children sharing his DNA and Nico’s made his knees go weak.He wanted it so much it scared him.
“We don’t have to start planning our future right now,” Nico pointed out as he slid closer to Mackenzie.“In fact, we probably shouldn’t just yet.But I want to be with you.”
Mackenzie hooked an arm around Nico’s waist.“I want the same thing.”He had no idea where it had come from—where Nico had come from—but he knew a good thing when it was right in front of him, and this had so much potential it scared him, but in a good way.Nico would change Mackenzie’s life, and Mackenzie couldn’t wait.
Chapter Six
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“MOM SAID YOU MET SOMEONE,” Chris said as he flopped down onto Nico’s bed.
Nico glared at him from under the covers.“Hello to you, too.Yes, I’m fine. A bit overworked, but nothing I didn’t expect.”
Chris waved Nico’s words away.“I know you’re overworked.I did the job before you, remember?I’m sure you’re doing great, but that’s not why I’m here.”
“No, you’re here to find out about my imaginary boyfriend.”
Chris arched a brow.“Ishe imaginary?”
Nico started to answer yes, but he paused.This was Chris.Not only were they twins, but Chris had initially kept his relationship a secret.He’d keptmanysecrets, and Nico had been annoyed at him for that.He’d been relieved when Chris had come clean, and he’d done everything he could to support him.He would have done so from the beginning if Chris had been honest.
He sighed and pulled the blankets up higher on his chest.He should be getting up, but it was the weekend, and for once, he wanted to stay in bed for a little while.Even though his father wouldn’t understand, he probably wouldn’t say anything about it.He’d always been one of those people who was out of bed as soon as they opened their eyes, but not Nico.Besides, Chris was here.Their dad would expect Nico to be distracted.
“Okay, maybe he’s not imaginary,” Nico admitted.“In fact, he’s very much real and human.”
Chris grinned.“I knew something was going on.Tell me everything.”
“You don’t care that he’s human?”
“Why would I?I just care that someone caught your eye.What’s his name?Where does he live?He’s in the forest, right?Because how else would you have met him?Is he part of the human team?”Chris frowned.“Are any of them still single?”
“He’s not part of the team, so you don’t have to worry about any of them being single.”
“Wait, are you trying to tell me he’s one of the people who moved into fox territory?Jerome’s family?”
