“Dash identifies as an alpha, Jackson,” Emerson said. “He’snotan omega.”
“What do you mean, heidentifiesas an alpha?” his papa asked.
“Forget I said that, Papa.” Emerson scrubbed his face with both hands. He was already in trouble for opening his big fucking mouth as it was. No way was he divulging Dash’s secret again without express consent. “When you meet him, you’ll see he’s an alpha and while we’re at it, yes, I’m alpha-attracted. I always have been.” He fought the sting of tears. “I love Dash and I want to be with him even if that means we end up in prison someday because a little bit of something real with him is better than this lie I’ve lived my entire, empty life.”
Tears welled in his eyes and he paused, biting the inside of his cheek to keep from losing it. “I’ve hid it from you—obviously not very well—because I didn’t want to lose my family. I’ve seentoo many friends shunned and didn’t want that to happen to me. But I’m tired. I’msofucking tired.” A tear slipped down his cheek. “I can’t live this lie anymore. I mean, Ihave towith the outside world, but I don’t want to hide myself from the people I love most. Not anymore. I just want to be who I am and not feel ashamed every minute of the godsdamned day.”
Silence filled the room for a few seconds and Emerson felt adrift.
It was the last person he’d expected to rush forward. River pressed his face into the middle of Emerson’s chest, wrapping his arms tight. He sobbed, squeezing Emerson. “I’msosorry, Em,” River mumbled against Emerson’s chest. He lifted his teary gaze. “I was angry and I wanted to hurt you, but I had no idea how much you were already hurting. And I just made everything worse.” River sniffled, tears running down his cheek. “Can you forgive me?”
A sob and a chuckle came out together when Emerson tried to reply. He lifted both hands to River’s face. “You’re forgiven… as long as I am, too, for embarrassing you in front of the whole neighborhood.”
“You are,” River whispered.
“Good. And just for the record, I don’t have the hots for your boyfriend. He’s mid at best.”
River laughed but started crying more. “I knew you didn’t. I didn’t mean to out you, it just tumbled out because I was angry.”
Emerson tucked River’s head under his chin and hugged him tight as he continued to sob. When he glanced around the room, his papa and his omega brothers had tears in their eyes. As did Randall. Lucas and Fitz’s expressions were guarded, though, and Emerson couldn’t tell what the pair thought of his revelation.
“WhatIwant to know is—did everyone know this but me?” Randall asked. “I had no clue!”
“I didn’t know, either,” Lucas muttered.
“Nor I,” Fitz said.
“Weknew,” Harley, his eldest omega brother, said, wrapping an arm around Bayley’s shoulders. “Omegas are always the smartest ones inanyroom.”
“Damned right,” Bayley said. He smiled at Emerson. “And I, for one, am happy that you’re finally free to be yourself. I love you, Em, and I can’t wait to meet Dash.”
“Thank you,” Emerson said to Bayley.
Harley walked over and hugged Emerson’s side. Emerson pulled one arm from River and moved it behind Harley.
“I’m happy you’ve found love, big brother,” Harley said before hugging him tight.
Randall whipped back the covers and jumped out of bed. He shuffled over with his skid-free socked feet and hugged Emerson’s other side. “Come here, big guy.”
“Hellllllo, Walkers!”Tanner’s voice called out before he appeared, rolling Dash into the room in a wheelchair.
Dash’s gaze hit Emerson’s and he frowned, turning to survey the teary eyes and all the hugging going on.
“What’s this love fest going on?” Tanner asked. “And how do I get in on it?”
“I’ll tell you later,” Fitz murmured from across the room.
“Oookay.”Tanner shrugged. “Well, I’d like to introduce you all to my cousin, Dashiell Keller. Dash, these are my fabulous Walker in-laws.” Tanner turned to face the room. “Emerson saved Dash’s life today and he wanted to come thank him himself.”
“And apologize for earlier,” Dash murmured, gaze on Emerson.
“There’s nothing to apologize for. I crossed a line,” Emerson said.
Dash shook his head. “No. You didn’t.”
“Is thistheDash?” Morgan Walker asked Emerson.
Emerson met Dash’s confused gaze. A light of recognition crossed Dash’s face before he released a slow breath. Emerson was terrified to speak after already breaking Dash’s trust once that day.
