“I mean, you can try. He and I have spoken occasionally, since he works on those projects outside a lot. We make small talk, but I’ve never been able to get more than a few words out of him.” Niall looked out the window again. “It’s sad. He seems lonely.”
“Even if we only end up chit-chatting or saying hello, I should at least make the effort. Let him know we’re here if he needs us,” Teal said.
“Daddy!”
Their discussion of Sorcha ceased as Zayne raced into the kitchen, straight into Teal’s arms.
“Hello, my little sweet pea.” Teal picked up his youngest and squeezed him tightly, pressing their cheeks together.
“I missed you so much last night, Daddy.” There was no accusation in his tone, but Teal felt a pang of guilt anyway.
“I’m sorry, sweet pea. It won’t be much longer.”
“Zayne, you know Daddy is doing very important work right now,” Kino said, walking into the kitchen. “We talked about this.”
“I know,” Zayne said, keeping one arm around Teal’s neck as he stuck three fingers into his mouth.
Garin strode past Kino and sat down next to Teal. “Don’t suck your fingers, Zayne. That’s for babies.”
Zayne slowly dropped his hand and Garin nodded at him with approval. Kino took a seat at the table as Teal moved Zayne into the booster chair.
After Niall put bowls of oatmeal in front of the boys, Teal turned to the older twin. “Garin, I understand you mean well, but there’s no reason to be so harsh with Zayne. You need to use a nicer tone with your little brother.”
Garin let out an annoyed sound. “I know, Daddy. Papa told me yesterday. I’m trying.”
“Okay,” Teal said, ruffling his hair.
As the boys ate, Niall leaned over into Teal’s ear. “I can keep an eye on them if you want to do that thing you were talking about.” He angled his neck toward the window.
Teal mouthed athank youas he excused himself from the table.
***
In the back of Dale and Abe’sopen garage, Sorcha hunched over a large wooden table, smoothing it with a sheet of sandpaper.
Teal walked heavily, hoping to avoid startling him. “Hello,” he called out.
Sorcha turned quickly, relief evident at finding Teal.
Teal believed one of the best things about being an omega was the immediate sense of solidarity one felt with other omegas, even those they didn’t know well—the omega bond. Although he and Sorcha hadn’t spoken much, there was still an innate kinship between them.
“Oh. Hi, Teal,” Sorcha said. “What’s up?”
Teal stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Nothing much. Just saying hello.”
Sorcha’s forehead scrunched.
Teal hummed, trying to game-plan how to ask the younger omega about his uncles. He moved closer to the table. It practically glowed in the dim light, a testament to Sorcha’s skill.
“Did Ronan say something to you? About yesterday?” Sorcha asked hesitantly.
Teal paused before recalling Niall's words about Ronan sticking up for Sorcha with his uncle. “No. Should he have? What happened yesterday?”
Sorcha put the sandpaper down and ran a hand across his brow. “Oh…um, I was blocking the driveway working on this table when Ronan came home. He didn’t seem mad about me being in his way, but since you’re here, I worried maybe I’d misread… Sorry. I see now that was a leap.”
The young omega was so high-strung. Probably unavoidable with Dale and Abe for uncles.
“Not a leap at all,” Teal said. “I’ve never bothered you in your garage before, so of course you’d wonder.” He made a mentalnote to ask Ronan about his conversation with Sorcha. “And I don't want to intrude, but…" Teal gripped his fists in his pockets.
