Lars might have been annoying growing up, but the thought of losing him wrecked me. “I’m so sorry.” My hoarse words were wholly inadequate.
His fingers ran through my hair. “I can’t really miss him when I never knew him, but I miss the idea of having a brother. My parents were left with me, a four-year-old they didn’t want.”
I breathed in sharply. “What?”
“I was an accident, and they resented me for pulling their attention away from Saint—the son they actually wanted. Even worse, I had the audacity to not die from cancer. Unsurprisingly, I was never close with my parents, but when they had to step down from the company, I thought becoming CEO might be what finally made them proud of me.”
He shrugged like it didn’t matter.
We both knew how much it did.
“They’re all gone now, anyway. Died within a few days of each other.”
I moved slowly, like I was approaching a wounded animal, straddling his lap and curling myself around him as if my arms were strong enough to take his pain.
“They’re the ones who missed out,” I said. “They were too lost in their grief to see you. They should have done better. You deserve better.”
His eyes squeezed shut and I worried I’d upset him until his arms tightened around me. I wanted to say more—how sorry I was that he gave up his passion to win the approval of parents who didn’t deserve him—but I wouldn’t be able to hide the rage I felt toward them, so I just pressed my lips to his throat.
We stayed like that until our slow breaths synched. His muscles eased. My eyelids grew heavy. As I drifted off, the huge alpha wrapped around me, I wondered what it would be like for all of us to live the lives we wanted, not the one we thought we should have.
21
Leo
9:45 a.m.
Leo
I should have asked what time I should come over. I’ve gathered you’re not a morning person
9:53 a.m.
Leo
Any requests for your latte? Or should I ask Ella to surprise you?
Never mind, Ella said she knows what you want better than you do
10:16 a.m.
Leo
You awake yet, sleepyhead?
10:24 a.m.
Leo
Char said blueberry pancakes are your favorite, but I got some other options in case you’re not in the mood for them this morning
10:36 a.m.
Leo
I’m at your front door
10:48 a.m.
