Page 77 of Omega's Secret Guardian
Linus squirmed on Storm’s lap so he could meet Storm’s eyes more comfortably. “What were your parents like, when you were growing up?”
Storm froze. This was something he tried not to think about. “My—my parents are both great,” he said quietly. “They encouraged me to do things I liked; they attended my school’s science fairs whenever I did projects. But they also forgot about me sometimes.”
At Linus’ horrified look, Storm hurriedly shook his head. “No, no, it’s not what you think. It’s just... my younger brother Tripp has always been sickly. Like, we’d both get the flu and I would be stuck in bed for a few days. Meanwhile Tripp would get so sick that my parents would have to take him to the ER, and he would be hospitalized for a week. Or the time we both had a cough, but his became bronchitis. Actually, that happened a few times.
“At one point, when I was much younger, I accused him of being sick on purpose so he would get our parents’ attention.” Storm scrubbed his face guiltily. “I stopped believing that, but sometimes I still feel like crap for having said it to him.”
Linus’ eyes had grown soft. “You were a child. You couldn’t have known.”
“Yeah, well.” Storm shrugged uncomfortably. “Anyway, because my parents paid more attention to Tripp than to me, I ran away to join a gang. I wanted to feel like I could make a difference. I couldn’t do much for Tripp—even though Mom and Dad saidI could protect him, there was nothing I could protect himfrom.He didn’t have bullies. He was too sickly and the teachers watched out for him. I tried to stop him from getting sick, but he got mad when I was overprotective and made him wash his hands all day.”
Linus sighed and leaned into him. “Oh, Storm.”
“So, the gang,” Storm said quietly. “My parents were mad, but they were too busy working and taking care of Tripp. Then I got involved in gang fights and ended up in prison.”
There was more to that story, but Storm didn’t feel like elaborating right now.
“Does your family know?”
Storm shook his head. “Not the part about me going to prison. I dropped out of their lives before it happened. But I also know that I can’t just go home and drop a bombshell like that, and expect things to go back to normal.”
“They would forgive you,” Linus said.
Storm shook his head, dark memories rising through his thoughts. “I did some terrible crap for my old gang. Things that my parents would be horrified to hear. Things thatI’mhorrified at myself for. Like robberies.” Storm winced. “Those I regret, ‘cuz I was fifteen and stupid when they happened. But... there were some kills, some bad guys who were better off dead. Those I don’t regret.”
He looked warily at Linus, expecting Linus to rip himself away and run.
Linus leaned into him.
Storm frowned. “I just told you that I’ve killed multiple people, and you’re not scared?”
“You’ve already said you have blood on your hands. Besides, you’ve never tried to hurt me.” Linus shrugged, his posture loose and relaxed.
Warm fuzzy feelings filled Storm’s chest. He still couldn’t explain that he had been secretly living in Linus’ apartment, and he didn’t want to ruin the moment by mentioning it now.
Linus sighed and touched his fingertips to Storm’s jaw. “From what you’ve told me, I think you know what a good parent should be like. You had good examples. Your parents sound like they cared, even if they didn’t have enough time or attention to go around.”
At that, Storm exhaled. “You know... you might be right. I just... Sometimes I wish I hadn’t fucked up and left.”
“Why can’t you fix that now?”
“Because I’m still ashamed,” Storm mumbled. “I don’t want to go home saying, ‘Hey Mom and Dad, I fucked up my life and was in prison for years. Hope you were okay with the radio silence.’”
Linus’ face softened. “They’re your parents. They care about you, Storm. I’m sure it won’t matter that you’ve been gone, only that you’re back.”
Storm winced. “Yeah, but there’s Tripp, too. I... I feel like I’ve been a crap brother, leaving him behind. He won’t forgive me.”
To his surprise, Linus huffed. “Then you work for his forgiveness. No matter how long it takes.”
He was right about that, too. But that wasn’t a problem that could be resolved so easily. Storm fidgeted more. “They don’t live here.”
“So?”
“I—I don’t want to leave you unprotected while I grovel for forgiveness. Especially when...”
He slid his hand down, cupping Linus’ belly. Linus drew a quick breath.
“I’ll be fine on my own.”
