Page 113 of Omega's Secret Guardian
“If you really want some selfies with baby cows, we could go to a petting zoo. They would have some we could take pictures with.”
Linus’ arms tightened around his waist. “You’d come with me?”
“Of course. Who else is going to take your picture?”
Linus laughed, a soft huff that made Storm’s heart tumble.
Eight hoursafter they left home, they rolled into the sprawling suburbs of Arizona’s busiest city.
Storm’s hands were sweating in his gloves. “Maybe we can wait ‘til tomorrow to see them?”
Linus snuggled into his back. “Get it over with. I think it’s better not to stay anxious for hours until you find out.”
“I honestly don’t know which is worse. If they kick me aside, or me worrying about it the entire time.”
“They won’t kick you out,” Linus said firmly.
Storm wished he had that same conviction. He rode down half-familiar streets, pointing out the parts of town he had grown up in. “We used to get breakfast at this pancake place,” he said as they approached an A-shaped building. “I can’t believe it’s still around.”
“The pancakes must be really good,” Linus said warmly.
“The best in the world.”
“Maybe we could try it?”
“Mmm. Yeah, that’s something to look forward to.” Storm squeezed Linus’ knee, grateful for the distraction. “And over there, that was my middle school.”
“You must have been an adorable child.”
Storm frowned. “You know, I haven’t asked your mom about your baby pictures.”
“No! I looked terrible as a baby.”
“Well, I bet I did too,” Storm said dryly.
Linus bumped their helmets together.
“Hey!” Storm said.
“We should call a truce. No judging baby pictures.”
“Of course we’re not judging them. I just want to see your sweet lil face.”
Linus huffed.
They kept going, Storm talking firmly about everything except where they were headed.
Then they arrived at the street he grew up on, and his stomach churned with nerves.
Linus rubbed his back. “It’s going to be okay.”
“I’m trying really hard to believe you, sweetheart. I really am.”
Storm rode down the cul-de-sac and back up, slowing the motorcycle to a stop across from his old house. His heart pounded.
The house looked almost the same: pale yellow walls, a gentle sloped roof, the front door and windows all in the same place.
But there was a ramp leading up to the front door that wasn’t there before, and another ramp leading around to the back of the house. His heart sank.
