“Holy fuck!How?Why?”
Chad shrugged. Topher’s reaction was about what he’d expected.
“We got to talking, and… I don’t know. It was nice.”
“Really?” Topher looked like he was having trouble believing it.
“Verynice,” Chad confirmed.
“Huh.” Topher nodded to himself like he was making a minor adjustment to his worldview. “So does that mean that you’re gay?” he asked. There was no judgment in the question, which Chad appreciated.
“I don’t think so? I mean, it’s not like I’m not attracted to omegas… I just also like Peter.”
“Are you going to see him again?”
Chad shrugged. “I hope so. I left my number, but he hasn’t called yet. I don’t know if it was just a one-night stand or what.”
“Well… if you want him to call I hope he calls.”
Chad grinned. Topher was being way cooler about this than he needed to be.
“What about you?” Chad asked, curious about his new friend. “Are you seeing anyone?”
Topher shook his head. “Not really. I’ve been dating this beta for a while, but I’m not sure if it’s going anywhere. I think she’s just using me to stick it to her parents.”
Chad winced in sympathy. “That’s too bad. Is the sex good at least?”
Topher grinned and nodded, and Chad laughed at the sheer licentiousness of his expression.
At least Topher was getting something out of being used.
***
Chapter 12
Chad was torn out of sleep at three a.m. by the sound of his cell phone ringing on the nightstand. At first Chad wondered if it could be Peter, but that didn’t make sense. Grabbing the phone, his body aching worse than it had when he went to sleep, Chad’s adrenaline spiked when he saw his mom’s name flashing on the screen.
His mother would never call him this late unless something was wrong.
“Mom? What’s wrong?” Chad answered the phone.
“Your father is fine,” his mom said, and Chad felt his anxiety spike. If she was starting the conversation with a reassurance it had to be bad.
“What happened?” Chad demanded, cutting his mother off just as she continued. “Sorry,” he said, forcing his mouth shut as he waited to hear what had happened with his dad.
“Your father had a small heart attack. We’re in the hospital now, but the doctors say that we got here in time. They put a stent in one of his coronary arteries and… wait a minute, what time is it there?”
“Three a.m.,” Chad said.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I forgot about the time difference. I shouldn’t have—”
“No, mom. I’m glad you called. I’ll book a flight and be there tonight.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that. I didn’t call you to guilt you into coming home. Like I said, the doctors say that your father is going to be fine. You have things to do with your new job and—”
“Mom, I’m not going to stay here when Dad had a fucking heart attack. Jesus. I’ll be there tonight.”
There was a loaded pause.
