Julian followed Gabe up the boardwalk without so much as a backward glance and left Eric alone with a cute toddler and a very disapproving Alpha. The guy’s name was Logan, he remembered. Gabe’s husband. The man was built like a linebacker, and Eric recalled Julian mentioning that he owned a gym too. If so, he looked the part. Logan’s gaze was soft when he watched his son shaping the sand with his chubby toddler hands, but when his eyes met Eric’s, his smile faded. “What are your intentions with Julian?” he asked, breaking the silence.

“My intentions?” Surprised, Eric forced out a laugh. “What are you, his father?”

Logan didn’t smile. “Wasn’t it enough that you bought the house he wanted? Now you’re going to fuck around with his feelings and then leave?”

God, the people in this town. Eric shook his head. “It was one kiss, man. And that’s all it is. But honestly, it’s not your business either way.”

“It is my business because Julian is our friend,” Logan said sharply. “And Gabe and I have seen him go through enough shit. He’s a good guy. He deserves better.”

The other Alpha didn’t say it, but Eric knew what he meant. Better than him. “Look, I like him, but not the way you’re thinking,” he said, not sure why he was bothering to justify himself to this stranger. “I admire what he’s doing for this charity thing, and I’m trying to help out.”

“Because you have to,” Logan said, sounding amused.

“Legally, I have to do the minimum,” Eric corrected. “I’m choosing to do more because he asked me to.”

The other Alpha didn’t answer. He just looked down at him, eyes narrowed slightly. Eric held his gaze, feeling the tension in the air intensify as they stared each other down. He liked Gabe and didn’t want to fight his husband (or anyone, for that matter), but the Alpha had a limit and Logan was pushing it. Luckily, the toddler chose that moment to dump a double handful of sand on his shoes, making him jump.

“Castle,” the kid announced, grinning up at Eric.

Eric had to chuckle. “Looks good, buddy,” he answered.

“Sorry about that,” Logan said, bending down and scooping up his son. He kissed the child’s forehead, then glanced back over to Eric. “Look,” he said quietly. “You’re right. It’s not really our place to interfere. You and Julian are both adults. And if this is just a one-time thing, that’s fine. Just… don’t hurt him, ok?”

Eric felt his stomach drop. What kind of guy did Logan think he was? Of course he didn’t want to hurt Julian. He didn’t want to hurt anyone. If he was smart, he would walk away now, before it got worse. But he could still feel the sensation of the kiss on his lips, and he could still catch hints of the Omega’s sweet scent if he breathed just right.

This was trouble and he knew it.

He realized Logan was still looking at him expectantly, and he muttered a quick, “Yeah.”

The other Alpha didn’t look convinced, but he nodded and turned away to walk up the boardwalk. The toddler waved over his father’s shoulder, and Eric raised a hand in return, smiling despite himself. Gabe emerged from the gym alone. The Omega locked the door and turned, calling down to Eric: “Julian went home, he says he’ll talk to you later!” With a cheerful wave from Gabe and one last wary look from Logan the little family got into an old Lincoln Town Car and drove away.

Was that how it was going to be? Had Gabe convinced Julian that Eric was some sort of monster? He laughed bitterly, sinking down onto the sand. Maybe he was. He’d ruined Julian’s dream, after all. He had a good reason, but he’d still messed it up.

If nothing else, he wanted to talk to Julian. And in some place where they could be alone this time, away from prying eyes of his overprotective friends. His cock immediately stiffened at the idea of being alone with the Omega, and he cursed himself silently.

That kiss had ruined everything. He’d built many walls in his life, but the one inside him was the most carefully built of all. The one designed to keep everyone and everything out. He’d thought it was solid stone, but now it seemed it was only glass, easily shattered. And Julian had gone and crashed through it with that one kiss.

He shoved a hand through his hair, staring out at the ocean. The sun was beginning to sink, and the clouds were brilliant coral against the fading blue sky. He hadn’t even noticed before, too preoccupied with thoughts of Julian. He had to know what the Omega was thinking, and if it was possible he felt the same way.

And if he did… well, there would be trouble. But not knowing was too much of a torture. He grabbed his phone out of his pocket and scrolled through his contacts until he found Julian’s number.