“It wasn’t this bad when I graduated.” Gabriela took a deep breath. “I don’t think I can stay here either, Ferdie. If strangers are willing to be that nasty to my family, I don’t want to share a state with them.”
“It will die down after a while,” he said, wincing.
“Babe, we should totally move away from this place,” Eddie said, pushing through the crowd. “I can’t believe the things I keep hearing.”
Gabriela gave Fernando a look. “See? They don’t deserve us.”
“A new music teacher and nurse for Hobson Hills.” Mateo looked excited.
“Whoa there, big bro.” Gabriela held up a hand. “I have a population requirement, so we’ll look into Portland.”
Mateo shrugged. “Better than nothing.”
Fernando turned his attention back to Walker. “Thank you for being here, Walker.”
“Anything for you,” Walker said, giving him a tender look. “I’m so proud of you.”
The day suddenly seemed a lot better. The judgmental idiots around him didn’t matter so much when he had a man looking at him like he hung the moon and a family that believed in him.
Chapter 9
Amonth later, Walker came to a stop in front of Fernando’s apartment building, turned his bike off, then kicked the side stand down. He was exhausted and anxious. Seeing the omega after months apart was nerve-racking. Through several talks and emails, Walker felt sure of his feelings, but what if being together in person was different? Awkward? Having a person of your own was hard.
He barely had time to get off his bike and remove his helmet before a familiar omega was suddenly there in his arms.
“Welcome home, asshole.” Fernando hugged him tightly and glared at him. “Why didn’t you tell me you were arriving today? I could have been so much better prepared. Pug only texted me like ten minutes ago.”
Walker leaned back and grinned. Fernando wore grey athletic shorts and a bright pink shirt with a UFO and Bigfoot on the front. His usually styled hair was a mess, he needed a shave, and black-framed glasses perched on his nose. Walker loved it. His worry melted away as he hugged his omega again.
“Fuck, it’s good to hold you.”
“Truth.” Fernando buried his nose in Walker’s neck. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
After a few more moments, Walker reluctantly let go of Fernando. “I kind of wanted to surprise you.”
“That’s all well and good, but today’s laundry day, so you’re lucky I’m wearing pants at all. I was going to look so good for you.”
Walker cupped Fernando’s face and gently kissed him. “You look perfect to me.”
Fernando’s face flushed, and he pulled Walker up the stairs. “Come see our place. Beans was sleeping when Pug texted, but he’ll want to see you, too.”
“Will he even remember me?”
Fernando arched a brow. “Our son has an excellent memory. Of course, he’ll remember you.”
Walker laughed and followed him up three flights of stairs and into the apartment. The place looked nice. Better than anywhere Walker had lived before. Granted, he’d been living in barracks for about eight years now, so it wasn’t much of an accomplishment.
The small living room, kitchen, and dining room were open with light grey walls and darker grey flooring. The spots of color were in the furniture and decorations. The couch was royal blue, with a fuzzy brown-and-black dog sleeping on it. A green and blue rug lay in front of the couch with an empty dog bed in the corner.
“What do you think?” Fernando asked. “Charlie, Steve’s wife, helped me pick out the couch and rug.”
“It looks really good.” Walker walked around, smiling at the bits and pieces of his omega that were everywhere. Fernando had added his touches in brightly colored abstract paintings and framed pictures of his family and friends. Three of the frames were empty.
“What will you put here?”
Fernando’s smile widened. “You.”
Walker froze, mind short-circuiting for a moment. “Me?”
