Not His Omega To Love by GS Holmes

6Ethan

I’d missedso many of Reggie’s games while he was with my ex that once he’d come to live with me, I’d done my duty to attend every single one. That wasn’t about to change because we’d been walking on ice around each other since the whole Cody incident. He was still my kid, and despite the terrible way he went about his relationships, I held out hope this was something that would change with maturity. He still had a lot of growing up to do.

Watching him play tonight was special. It was one of his last games before he went off to college, and it was like seeing him play for the first time all over again and realizing how good he was. Matt and I had fostered his talent, and it had paid off. He owned that field and the ball like a pro.

Reggie was at his best on that field. His expressions were honest, and when he played, he did so with maturity and none of the cocky bullshit he portrayed otherwise. He worked with his teammates to get the best results out of them and himself. No wonder his coach had made him captain. Hard to believe this was the same boy who three weeks ago had refused to drop his date home.

Teenagers.

After the game ended, I sat in the stands, watching his team celebrate, my eyes filling with tears I discreetly wiped away. In a few short months, he wouldn’t live at home anymore. He’d already had scouts visit his games, and a few had put out attractive offers, but there was one school he was holding out for.

I rose to my feet and walked down to the field where they were talking with Coach Lewis. The man seemed so damn proud of his boys. He’d made it clear that when they were on the field, they were his, and he deserved to think of them like that too. He showed dedication to the sport and to sharpening the skills of his boys.

“Quite some game, don’t you think?”

I swiveled my head to the right, where a man maybe a decade younger than me joined me. Dressed in an expensive-looking blazer and slacks, he stuck out from the usual crowd who donned jeans and sports jackets. From his accent, he was an out-of-towner too.

“It was a great game. The team has been amazing all season.”

Yup, he had scout stamped all over him.

“Mr. Finch, right?” He held out a hand to me, and I took it.

“Yes, that’s me.”

“You have one talented kid.”

“That he is.”

“Forgive me. Allow me to introduce myself.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “I’m Porter Dwyer, and I’m with the University of Darliston. Since last year, I’ve been watching your son play. He’s been consistent and shows great potential.”

“Thank you. He’s worked hard with his team.”

The man smiled at me. “I’m glad you recognize that as good as a player is, football is still about teamwork. I’d love to talk to you while I’m in town. Any chance of us having a meeting tomorrow with you and your son to look at the possibilities at our university? We have one of the best college football teams in the country, and for the past five years, all top picks for pro football have been from our university. Talent like your son’s deserves to be honed by the best.” He handed me a business card. “I’ll be in town until Sunday. Talk it over with your son and give me a call.”

“Thank you.” I shook his hand again. “I’ll do that.”

“Looking forward to that call.”

I watched him walk away, pride filling my chest. Goddamn, the best college football team wanted my son.

“Dad!”

I turned toward Reggie, who ran up to me. He was sweaty and needed a shower, but it didn’t stop me from hugging and kissing his head.

“Come on, Dad, my teammates are standing right over there.”

But despite his complaint, he didn’t shove me away. The past few weeks had been so rocky between us, mostly from me poking my nose into the affairs of young boys that shouldn’t concern me. Maybe I should stick to following his football career for now and let him figure out the love stuff on his own. It wasn’t even that he slept around with so many boys. His response and the way he’d treated Cody had rubbed me the wrong way.

I pushed Cody from my thoughts and released Reggie. “That was a fantastic game.”

“Right? We were amazing.” He looked at where Dwyer had disappeared into the throng of people filing out of the stands.

“So, who were you talking to?”

His eyes were so hopeful. “Just a parent congratulating you on your game.”

“Oh.” His face fell. “That’s cool.”

“Yeah, and he gave me this.”

I handed him the card. He studied it long and hard, but then it finally penetrated.

“Holy fuck!” He laughed and launched himself at me, hugging me hard. “It’s a scout. From Darliston. Oh my god, Dad.”

“This is what you were holding out for.” I patted his back. “Good job. You’ve worked hard for it, kiddo, and you deserve it.”

He stepped back, and I was amazed he swiped tears from his eyes. “Look, I know I’ve been shitty for the past three weeks, but—”

“Only the past three weeks?”

He rolled his eyes. “You know what I mean. About the whole Cody thing. It’s hard to explain, and you’ve been so mad I didn’t even know if you would show up to my game tonight, but I’m glad you came to see me play.”

“Hey.” I placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “You’re my kid first. Remember that. Of course, I’d be at your game. Where else would I be when my son’s kicking ass at a sport I love? I’ll always, always support you and your dreams.”

He nodded. “So, what now?”

“He wants to talk to us. We’ll call him tomorrow and set up a meeting. How about that?”

“And Coach will be there too?”

“Of course. He’ll advise you well, you know that.”

“Awesome! Thanks, Dad. I’m going to tell Coach and the team.”

“Great. I’ll see you at home. Don’t stay out after ten. You still have school tomorrow.”

“Twelve?” He waggled his eyebrows.

“Not on a school night.”

He grinned at me and shrugged. “Worth a shot.”

When he ran off toward his teammates, I finally left the stands. Most of the other spectators had already left, the driveway was clear, and those who lingered were in a heated discussion about the game. I smiled, shaking my head as I headed for my car, my attention drawn to a lone figure frowning at his phone and growling.

“Cody?” What was he doing here? He didn’t seem like the sort to attend a football game.

I must have called his name a little louder than intended. He jumped and fumbled his phone. The device crashed onto the ground.

“Oh no!” He scooped up his phone, and I winced at the cracked screen.

“Fuck—I mean, heck, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.” I’d forgotten how jumpy he was.

“I needed a new one anyway.” He sighed and slipped his phone into his jeans pocket.

“It’s my fault. I should buy you a new one.”

“The company will replace it, so that’s fine.” He shuffled his feet in the gravel and scrunched his shoulders. “You saw the game, huh?”

“Yeah, I always come. Don’t recall ever seeing you.” Not that I would have noticed before. If Reggie hadn’t brought him into my life, I would probably have walked past him without giving him a second thought.

He made a face. “Not my thing at all.”

“No?” I lifted my eyebrows. “Are you and Reggie…”

Those very expressive eyes widened. “Heavens, no. I’m not usually that stupid about who I date.” I didn’t think his eyes could possibly get any wider, but I was wrong. “Not that I’m saying your son is stupid or anything. Just that… I have a list!”

He pulled out a piece of paper from the pocket of his jeans, unfolded it, and turned it in my direction. I couldn’t read the handwriting in the poor lighting and being so far away from him.

“A list?”

“Yes, of things I want to do before I leave high school. You see, the Internet says there are some things every high school student needs to do before they graduate.”

Ah. “And going to a football game was on that list.”

“Right.” He folded the paper haphazardly and shoved it back into his pocket. “Did you at least enjoy it?”

“Uh, sure.”

Liar. I smiled at him and the pinkness in his cheeks. Was I ever this innocent? And I didn’t care what he’d done with my son. He had a purity in his spirit I couldn’t unsee.

“Do you have a ride, or would you like me to drop you somewhere?”

“I did have a ride, but my friends left in the middle of the game. They’re supposed to come back for me when the game’s over, but they’re probably having too much fun to realize I’ve been calling.”

“Hop in, then.” I disabled the alarm of my car and unlocked the doors. “I can make a detour on my way home.”

“You know you don’t have to.”

“I’m aware.” I opened the car door for him. “Get in, and before you say it, it’s no trouble at all.”

“All right, then, thanks, but do you mind a small detour?”

“No problem. Just tell me where.”

“I have to pick something up at Benny’s. I Promise it won’t take long.”

“Sure. It’s on the way.”

He was hugging his chest, shivering a little. I adjusted the heat in the car. It was a little too warm for me, but I was bulked up on muscles. He was all skin and bones.

“How’s the graduation speech coming?”

He groaned and squirmed in his seat. “I haven’t started. Maybe I won’t have to give it after all.”

“What do you mean? You’re the valedictorian, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, but things change sometimes, you know.”

I frowned. Throwing up his guts aside, he’d seemed so pleased when he’d told me about being chosen as valedictorian. Now he didn’t even seem to want it anymore.

We drove in silence until I got to the store. When I turned off the car, he stopped me with a hand on my arm.

“This won’t take long, I promise. Just one thing I have to get, so you can keep the car running.”

I shrugged. “It’s fine. Now that we’re here, I can buy something to drink.”

A sliver of fear flashed in his eyes, but he didn’t say anything as we exited the car and walked toward the entrance of the store together. I spent a lot of time hanging out with Sal, and I’d never given it any thought that my friend was an omega, but walking next to Cody, I was hyperaware of how small he was.

“I’ll meet you back at the car,” he said as soon as we were inside.

I shook my head as he dashed off down the health and hygiene section. I took off in the opposite direction to the beer aisle, where I grabbed a six-pack of my favorite brand. Cody was already at the cash register, his back to me, but he kept looking right and left.

“That was quick.”

He jumped, took his bag from the cashier, and turned to me, his face white.

“Good evening.” The girl darted her eyes from me to Cody. “Are you here together?”

“Yup.”

“Well, I hope everything goes according to plan.”

I frowned at her. “Excuse me?”

She didn’t elaborate. “That’ll be twelve sixty-nine.”

She handed me my change and gave me a big secretive smile like we were conspiring to ruin the Boston Tea party or something.

“What’s that all about?” I asked Cody as we walked out the door. He was hugging his item to his chest.

“Nothing.”

I didn’t push. On our way out, a security guard stopped us and asked to see our receipts and check our bags. I hated it when they did this, but they randomly pulled customers aside to check their items. It was supposed to help with stealing, but did it even work?

“Thanks for your cooperation. Have a good night.”

“Thank you.” Cody grabbed the bag the man handed him, but his hand was shaking so hard it slipped and landed on the ground. He stared at it with his mouth falling open.

“I’ll get it.”

“No!”

He bent just when I did, and his head cracked against mine. Shit. He fell on his ass, rubbing his forehead, stunned.

“You okay?”

I swiped up the bag and reached for his hand at the same time. Something fell out of the bag. What the fuck? A home pregnancy test kit. Given the bag wasn’t empty, he must’ve bought more than one.

“Cody, are you—”

“Can we go, please?”

He snatched up the box, yanked his bag from my hand, and dropped the kit inside. Before I got my bearings, he was out the door. I slowly walked back to the car, letting the implication of what had just happened sink in. Cody thought he was pregnant? Was that the reason he’d been so lackluster about being valedictorian all of a sudden?

As I was near my car, I unlocked the doors, and he scrambled in. I inhaled deeply, then got inside as well.

“I’m sorry. I overreacted,” he said, his voice strained. “I didn’t want anyone thinking it was mine. I got it for a friend.”

“Are you sure? Because if somehow that baby is—”

“There is no baby. At least not mine, and I—my friend doesn’t even know for sure yet, so that’s why I got these, for her to be certain.”

He was lying. I knew he was lying, but would the pregnancy kit tests show he was pregnant or not? Maybe it would be negative.

“All right. For a friend.” I started the car. If he was pregnant, I would find out eventually. It wasn’t like he could hide it for long.

We drove the ten minutes to his house in silence. He already had his hand on the handle, but I stopped him from running off with a hand on his arm.

“Just so you know, Cody, if that friend is pregnant and needs help, you can let that friend know I’m always available to talk.”

“Sure, I’ll let them know. Thanks for the ride.”

I sighed and let go. “Good night, Cody. Stay safe.”

“‘Night!”

He dashed up the steps, the bag still clutched to his chest. Fuck, fuck, fuck. I had a meeting tomorrow with my son, his coach, and a scout who had an interest in making his dreams come true. This was his future. If Cody was pregnant… But even if he was, the kid might not be Reggie’s. Who was to say he hadn’t slept with other people?

Even thinking it felt wrong. Cody didn’t seem the type to sleep around, and as much as looks could be deceiving, I didn’t think I was wrong about him.