Chapter 13: Are We Still Talking About Him?
Leo stares at himself through the mirror. His pale skin is flushed red, his hair a little messy, and his clothes rustled. He presses the back of his hand to his cheek, which is burning. Wow. He fixes his hair, straightens his shirt, and turns on the faucet to splash cool water on his face. When he straightens Leo groans as his damp pants sticks to his skin. Great. He can’t go back out there like this. He wets a hand towel and wipes at his groin area.
Gosh, so embarrassing. It feels so sticky inside, and the water isn’t going to help the idea that he pissed himself.
He freezes when the bathroom door opens. His hand still pressing the towel to his groin. His cheeks flame all over again. Why can’t this alpha just go away when he wants him to? Max steps in, his eyes seeking Leo out. It’s still so strange to see his brown hair down. Max always came in to the restaurant all styled and proper. Now this casual visual will forever be burned into his memory.
"What-?" Leo opens his mouth to scold or complain, but he cuts himself off when Max strides to him with a jacket in his hand. Leo stops breathing when he crowds into his personal space again. The alpha says nothing as he reaches around Leo and ties the jacket around his waist, hiding most of his wet pants.
Then, without a word, he turns and walks right back out. Leo stands there, confused. He looks down at the black jacket, the scent of Max’s pheromones clinging to it. He grabs one of the hanging sleeves and brings it to his nose so he can take a sniff of the smell of roasting chestnuts.
"Ah," He drops the sleeve and runs his hand through his hair. "Whatever." When he walks out of the bathroom he doesn’t seek Max out. He makes a beeline to the bar where Ethan and Chris still talk. Leo pokes the beta’s shoulder, drawing his attention.
Ethan’s smile falls when he sees the state of his best friend. "What happened to you?" He doesn’t recognize the jacket, and Ethan doesn’t remember Leo bringing it. When Leo turns red, Ethan tilts his head.
"Nothing. Can we go now?"
Ethan’s eyebrows raise in surprise, but he agrees. "Yeah sure." He finishes off the rest of his bottled water and stands from his chair. "Thanks for keeping me company." He smiles down at Chris. "Feel free to text me anytime."
"Yeah, sure!" Chris glances at Leo, his nose twitching at the pheromones flying all around him.
***
Zander stares at the dark screen of his phone. His hand lay inches away from it, his finger tapping on the surface of the table. How much longer does the beta plan on waiting to call him? He frowns. It’s just a thank you dinner, he shouldn’t read too much into it.
"Are you listening, Zander?"
Zan drags his gaze away from his phone and to the older man sitting across from him. His three piece grey suit is perfectly dressed, his leg crossed over the other. He’s a spitting image of Zander, only older. On the table in front of him is a blueberry muffin and a cup of coffee.
"Yes, father. I’m listening." The alpha smiles and straightens in his seat. He reaches up to adjust his tie, "Please go on."
Mister Zekiel Harlight narrows his eyes, "I don’t see why you keep rejecting Christopher Florence." He grabs his cup and takes a sip. "He’s the most compatible omega who comes from a distinguished family."
Zander does his best to hide his irritation by taking a sip from his own drink, "Are we still talking about him?" He leans forward and sighs, "Father. He slipped a rut inducer into my coffee. He may come from a distinguished family, but he himself is far from it." His nose wrinkles. He puts his cup back down and sighs. It’s not sweet enough. The coffee at the betas restaurant always had a tad too much sugar.
Zekiel adjusts his cuff links and leans forward. "I don’t care how long you’re going to put this off. Your marriage will happen sooner or later, I don’t really care to who. I want a grandbaby, and you are the only one who can give one to me. Stop making this old man wait." He nearly pouts as he crosses his arms over his chest.
Zander scoffs, his gaze drifting back to his phone.
His father sighs, "If not Chris, then I have other candidates lined up. Most are too eager-"
"Maybe that’s the problem." Zander mutters, returning his gaze to his father. "None of those omegas are going on this date for me. But for my name. Nothing but gold diggers and try hards."
Zekiel laughs, "I don’t see the problem with that. I didn’t say you had to love them. All I want is a grandbaby."
"Wow, thanks father." Zander deadpans. "If mother heard you just now, you’d be castrated."
Zekiel frowns and glances behind him. It doesn’t help him relax after the mention of his wife. "Nonesense. She wants one as much as I do."
"Not by any means like you do." Zander quips back. He glances at his phone and his frown deepens. Does he really not plan on calling him? It’s been a week since he’s given him his card. He didn’t throw it away did he?
His father watches him, an eyebrow raising. "Do you already have someone in mind?" He asks. "Have you found an omega you want to marry?"
Zander blinks. "What are you talking about?"
His father laughs, "You haven’t taken your eyes off of your phone since you arrived. Are you expecting a call?" He takes a bite of his muffin.
Zander sighs, "If I say yes will you call off all those dates you arranged for me?"
"So you did find someone?" His father beams and scoots his chair closer.