Ty’s hands shook as he unpacked the test from its pink box. He’d have been embarrassed to buy a box like this in the store. There wasn’t anything inherently shameful about being an omega or being pregnant. Every omega wanted to be pregnant and wanted a family. Buying a pregnancy test was a sign that the omega was on his way toward making that dream a reality.

But pink?

Pink was one more way of trying to feminize omegas. The tests weren’t the same tests they ran on pregnant women. The hormones weren’t the same hormones women had, not exactly, and the people using them weren’t women. They were men. Why try to lump omegas in with women? It might save money on packaging costs for the manufacturers, but it created more problems for the omegas who had to use the tests.

He was getting distracted, and he knew it. He shouldn’t let himself do that. What kind of father would he be if he let himself get distracted by every little thing? The packaging wasn’t the important thing, and maybe it would have been shameful to buy it fifteen years ago but he had the internet now. The test had been delivered today, and no one needed to see him carrying around a stupid pink box.

He filled the cup, added the dipstick, and set the timer. Then he sat back to wait.

He knew he shouldn’t get his hopes up. He wasn’t young anymore. He wasn’t old, exactly, but he wasn’t young. Guys’ fertility declined after their mid-twenties, and he needed to keep his expectations realistic. He shouldn’t count on being able to get pregnant right off the bat like that, not from one sexual encounter.

Of course, how many other guys had managed to do just that? How many little “accidents” did his brother have running around out there somewhere? Why couldn’t he be that lucky? If he’s pregnant he could start making his plans right away. He could convert the guest room into a nursery, he could start looking for a nanny, and he could of course tell Carter. Then Carter could stop coming around and trying to hang out with him.

Not that Carter was unpleasant company. In fact, the thought of Carter backing off gave Ty a pang somewhere in the middle of his chest. That was why it was better for Ty to be pregnant, and for Carter to back off now, than to sit around waiting for Carter to get bored with him later. He’d rather get it over with now than wait for him to do it later on, when it would hurt more.

The timer pinged. Ty approached the counter slowly and took out the stick.

Not pregnant. The words couldn’t have been clearer.

Ty wiped away tears. He’d tried not to get his hopes up, but he’d done it anyway. It was kind of what he did. He threw the test away and retreated to his bedroom. He’d been stupid to even think of getting married anyway. He was well past his prime, he hadn’t been someone anyone would want when he’d been young in the first place, and what if he was sterile?

He should just call Carter and release him from his contract. Once Ty got his share, Carter would get paid, and they could get divorced. Carter didn’t need to waste his time coming around anymore. A nice guy like him didn’t need to stay tied to a bland, boring omega like Ty anyway.

He crawled back to bed. He wasn’t completely useless. He was a damn fine lawyer. He’d found four loopholes to protect parts of the Delaney estate already. He’d kept several clients out of prison, and he should be proud of that. Some guys just weren’t destined for a family, and that was okay. At least it was going to have to be okay, because Ty was going to be alone for the rest of his life, and that was just all there was to it.

He pulled the covers up over his head. He’d let himself throw a pity party until the afternoon, because he guessed he was allowed on a day like today. Once the clock ticked over, though, he was going to make himself get up and do some work. Sure, he felt awful. Awful wasn’t productive, and no one cared.

He would have to break the bad news to Carter, though. He wasn’t looking forward to that.

His alarm went off again at one, at which point he peeled himself out of bed and made himself some coffee. His cats followed him into the kitchen, and he gave them some treats. At least someone should get some happiness out of today.

He put on sweats, headed for his desk, and got to work. The Delaneys weren’t his only clients right now, and he had plenty of people he needed to keep happy. He lost himself in contract law until his phone buzzed with an incoming text at four.

It was from Carter. It was always from Carter. Hey. Did you take the test?

Ty flinched, and he forced himself to reply. I did. It came back negative. I’m sorry.

Ty’s phone rang then, and he almost didn’t answer it. The only people who called were from the office, and he wasn’t up to dealing with any of them today. When he checked, though, it was Carter. “I’m really sorry, Ty,” he said. “I know how much you were hoping.”

Ty hung his head. It wasn’t his job to sit around and bring his husband down, damn it. “It’s okay,” he murmured. “It was probably an unrealistic expectation anyway, you know?”

“Most people don’t catch right away, I guess. Still, I know it’s disappointing. I can hear it in your voice. You want to get together? We can hit a bar.”

Ty’s first instinct was to decline. He didn’t want to hurt a potential baby by drinking alcohol. He punched himself in the thigh. There was no baby, potential or otherwise. “You know what? I’d like that. Let’s go to a bar. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a Manhattan.”

Carter gave a delighted laugh. “Awesome. I’ll pick you up just as soon as I can get there.”

Ty caught a reflection of himself in the window. If Carter was coming over, he needed to clean himself up.

By the time the doorman let him know Carter was there, Ty had found something decent to wear and he’d shaved. He met Carter downstairs, and they headed out to one of the local bars. “So you like Manhattans, huh?” Carter linked arms with him without hesitation as they walked down the sidewalk. Ty thought about pulling away, but he decided he liked it. Sure, it wasn’t going to last, but he needed the comfort today.

“I used to.” Ty managed a little bit of a grin. “After law school it got to be a little harder to get out and let my hair down, you know? I was too tired most of the time. That would be a laugh riot, right? Go out and your buddy passes out before he’s finished his first drink, blowing bubbles in his cocktail.”

Carter chuckled. “I hear you. Believe it or not, Spring Training isn’t much different. Or the season, now that I mention it. You’re not allowed to drink at all during Spring Training, and you’re not supposed to drink much during the season. Your whole diet is monitored very closely. Can’t let anything slow you down. So then November hits, right? And your friends are all like, ‘Hey, it’s party time!’ And you’re like, ‘Yeah, I’m going to sleep through till Valentine’s Day, it’ll be a party all right.” They ducked into a bar that didn’t look too trendy or too seedy and found a table near the back.

“Ugh. Yeah, I think some people think baseball is still like it was when Babe Ruth played the game, and you could still eat sixty-seven hot dogs in one sitting and perform.” Ty smirked. “They don’t think about what kind of toll it takes on the body to perform the way you guys are expected to today.”

Carter narrowed his eyes at Ty. “I thought you didn’t know anything about sports.” Their server approached, and he ordered Manhattans for both of them.

Ty blushed. “I might have done some research.”

“Might have?”

“If I’m going to be married I shouldn’t be completely in the dark.” Ty squirmed. “I mean, I do want to know something about what you do.”

Carter smiled. “I’m glad.” He reached across the table and took Ty’s hand. “I like that you actually want to know me. It makes me feel like we’re more of a couple, and less of a fraud.”

Ty made himself laugh. “Okay,” he said, and looked away. “That’s an interesting way of looking at it. I mean the whole ceremony was legal and everything.”

“I know. I know.” Carter took his hand away, and Ty tried not to show his disappointment. “I just—never mind, I’m being weird about it.”

Ty wanted to ask him what was weird about it, and what he would consider actually being a couple. What he wanted from Ty. The arrival of another patron, however, put a stop to their conversation. “Ty Cunningham?”

Ty couldn’t see the speaker, because the low light inside the bar and the brighter light outside hid his face. He’d know the speaker’s voice anywhere. Sebastian Britton’s honeyed tenor had haunted Ty’s dreams and nightmares for years. As Seb approached the table, Ty knew he couldn’t get away. He’d already been seen. He couldn’t pretend Seb had mistaken him for someone else.

Besides, Carter had already confirmed his identity. “Do you know Ty?” He turned to face Seb, face open and pleasant enough. He stood up and offered his hand for Seb to shake.

Seb ignored the hand, although he did turn to face him. “Yes, yes, I was his fiancé years ago.” He waved a hand, dismissing their relationship like it had been casual. After so long, Ty supposed it probably had been. “I’m Sebastian Britton, with Allemani Bank. Ty, I can’t believe it’s really you. I didn’t think you did the bar thing anymore.”

Ty frowned and gripped his cocktail glass. “It’s been a while. Seb this is Carter Bowman—”

Seb rolled his magnificent brown eyes. “Right, the ball player. I’ve heard.” He dropped a hand onto Carter’s shoulder. “Shame about that financial advisor. I heard you were more or less wiped out, right? Let that be a lesson to you, there, Carter. Never put all your eggs in one basket. Someone who tells you to do something like that is pretty much always a fraud.” He fished for his wallet and pulled out a few bills. “Be a pal, would you, and go order another round. My treat.”

“Seb, he’s not the houseboy.” Ty sat up straighter.

Carter smiled at Ty. “It’s okay, Ty. I don’t mind.” He took the bills and headed over to the bar.

Seb snorted. “Why do you even know baseball players, Ty? You don’t care about sports, not even a little bit. You never did.”

“My brother introduced us.” Ty glared at his ex and sipped from his drink.

Seb proved immune from Ty’s censure. He always had been. “Oh. Keegan.” He shuddered. “He always did know some of the most…interesting people. I thought you were more discriminating than that, but I guess beggars can’t be choosers.”

Ty closed his eyes and bit the inside of his cheek. “So, were you meeting someone here, Seb?” He’d spent seven years wondering what he’d do if Seb ever came back to New York. At first, he thought he’d embarrass himself by flinging himself into Seb’s arms, or maybe quit his job and run off to someplace Seb would never go. Stabbing him with a cocktail skewer had never been on the list, but it was an increasingly appealing option.

“No, no, I was just looking for someplace to get out of the wind for a little bit. I just moved back to New York this week. The bank promoted me and sent me back, so here I am. I wouldn’t have thought things would have changed this much in seven years, but here we are. New buildings, practically new streets, and here you are being seen in public with a football player.”

“Baseball, actually.” Ty gritted his teeth.

Seb waved his hand. “So, I did drop by to see your parents. I was surprised to hear you were still single. I know you’d been keen to get married, start a family, and all that.”

“Well, you know. Work and all. But as it happens, I am married.”

Seb blinked at him, face blank. “No, no you’re not. Your parents told me you’re not, and they’d be the first to know.”

“Not so much, as it turns out. We didn’t invite them.” Ty sipped from his drink. “They were less than enthusiastic when you left, and things have gotten a bit strained. We didn’t make a big deal out of it. Carter values his privacy. He doesn’t want his personal life distracting from team business.”

If Ty hadn’t gotten very used to hiding his emotions and reactions in court, he’d have fallen over laughing at the look on Seb’s face. “You married…that? He’s a jock. A sports player. He’s never even been to college. He barely graduated high school.”

“He has an Associates, I believe. And I don’t require my husband to have an advanced degree. I need someone who’s compatible with me, who wants to be with me, and who cares for me. That’s all.” Ty kept his face bland and glanced up toward Carter, who was returning with their drinks.

“Okay, but Ty, he doesn’t care for you. He cares for your money. You know that. Even someone like us wouldn’t be interested in an omega who can’t entertain them, but a guy like him? You have nothing to hold him to you.” He spread his hands wide. “I’m not trying to be hurtful here, Ty. I’m a realist. I’ve always respected you enough to tell you the truth, no matter what.”

Ty looked up to see if Carter had heard Seb, but he hadn’t gotten within earshot yet. “Seb,” he said, and picked up his drink again. He was going to need a few more of them if Seb insisted on sticking around. “Seb, I don’t know that ‘respect’ is the word I’d use.” He smiled as Carter set the drinks down on the table. “There you are, Carter. I was getting worried.”

Carter took his seat with an affable smile. “I just had to sign an autograph for a fan. You know how it is.”

Seb schooled his face into something slightly less contemptuous. “You know, you can do some of these signings and conventions and things and you’ll make a killing doing autographs. You don’t have to do them for free.”

“I know. My agent’s always trying to get me to do them, but the thing is being nice to fans when I meet them in the street like this pays off in the long run. Tickets cost a fortune, and they can’t always make it to a game. They still watch the games on our network, they buy our merchandise, and all that good stuff. So this benefits the team as a whole. They’re already paying me good money, and of course there are endorsements and things like that. I don’t need to be going out and gouging the fans.”

“Yeah, I got taken for a ride by that scam artist. I’m not proud of it. But I also know I’m still getting paid. I’ll be okay, in the long run.” He shrugged, still self-assured. “Thanks for the advice, though.”

Seb looked at Carter like he was an alien. He’d never understand an attitude like Carter’s. For Ty, that just made Carter even more appealing.

* * *

Carter thought he might be making some progress with Ty. It might have been a big assumption, given that they seemed to come from different planets as far as marriage was concerned, but Ty let him hold his hand in public and even pouted a little bit when he stopped. It was something, right? It meant they were getting somewhere?

But then the world’s worst human being showed up, in a three piece suit even though it was Saturday. God, his suit even had that stupid little fake handkerchief in the front pocket, who did that? Carter had only seen that in weddings before now.

Whoever this guy was—and he’d been engaged to Ty before, so he must have been someone—he rubbed Carter the wrong way before they’d exchanged more than a handful of words. Maybe it was the suit on Saturday. Maybe it was just the way his face was built, with a heavy mouth permanently stuck between a pucker and a pout. Maybe it was the way he dismissed Carter like he was staff.

It probably had a lot more to do with the fact that Ty’s walls all went back up as soon as he heard Seb’s voice.

After Seb finished delivering his unsolicited advice regarding autographs, he filled them both in on where he’d been for the past seven years. When he’d left, he’d been promoted to a “highly prestigious” position with his company’s London office. “Only a fool would refuse to take it, of course.” He looked over at Carter. “You understand. It’s not like you’d refuse a trade to, I don’t know, San Francisco, if they paid you more money and gave you a better position besides.”

Seb clearly didn’t understand how sports worked, but Carter didn’t feel compelled to change that little detail about him. It would mean having to talk to him longer. “I went over to London, and it was simply a fantastic experience. You were so foolish not to come with me, Ty. It would have been right up your alley. Plenty of shopping, so many old bookstores. Anyhow, I got married about six months after I landed.”

Carter risked a glance over at Ty, but it wasn’t like Ty was going to show any reaction to that. He just toyed with his cocktail glass. “Did you bring your husband back to New York?”

“Ah, no, he passed away about a year ago.” Seb’s tone didn’t sound like a grieving widower. He might have been talking about a neighbor, or a neighbor’s gardener. “I don’t mind telling you, I was happy to be promoted out of London. Truth be told, I was eager to get back to New York. I liked my work in England, don’t get me wrong, but culturally it just wasn’t what I’d expected.” He shrugged. “So, I’ve been back for a few days, I’ve only just moved into a new apartment, and I’m looking to settle back in. Carter, Ty tells me the two of you are married?”

Ty had admitted it? Carter didn’t know why that surprised him, but it made his insides glow a little. “We just got married a few weeks ago, but yeah. We tied the knot. We couldn’t be happier.”

“But he hasn’t brought you to meet his dads yet.” Seb’s full lips curled, just a little bit. “Isn’t that interesting?”

Ty rolled his eyes. “It’s like I told you, Seb. They were pretty pissed when you left. We don’t exactly spend much time together.”

Carter glanced over at Ty. Something was going on here, and he would get to the bottom of it sooner or later, but he needed to have Ty’s back right now. They were on the same team. “It’s not like Keegan spends much time with them either.”

Seb scoffed and downed a good portion of his Manhattan. “Keegan. Is he still an ape?”

“He’s a little rough around the edges, but he’s got his good points. You know, he’s open minded about a lot of things. He’s supportive of Ty, in his way. And he’s the one who introduced me to my husband, so all things considered I’d have to call him a friend.” Carter had to work hard to keep his tone affable. He didn’t want to make a scene, but Seb’s patronizing tone would have gotten him plunked in baseball.

“Oh. Well, you know. I suppose you’re a little more tolerant of rougher behavior, with all of those locker room antics we see on television.” Seb’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Honestly, I’m surprised the man made it through undergrad. He’s illiterate.”

Carter stared, and he didn’t bother to hide it. He’d never dare to say anything like that about a partner’s family, especially not in public. And maybe he wasn’t Keegan’s biggest fan, but it wasn’t right to let this Seb guy sit there and trash him.

“Keegan has his strengths,” he said, even though he couldn’t think of what they were. “Just like all of us. So, I’m sorry about your husband. You must miss him very much.”

“Of course, of course.” Seb sat up a little straighter. “So, Carter, when does Spring Training start for you?”

“I leave on Friday.” It wasn’t like Carter could hide it. Seb could look it up and find out. “I’ll be back in time for opening day on April 6.” He was being paranoid, and he knew it. Seb wasn’t going to make a move on Ty, for crying out loud. He was a widower, and grieving. He’d already had his chance with Ty. Carter and Ty weren’t even a real couple, for crying out loud. They had the right to go outside their marriage for happiness or satisfaction, if that was what they craved. He had no right to be jealous.

“Ah. Aren’t you worried, leaving your new husband alone so soon after the wedding?” If Carter hadn’t known better, he’d have sworn Seb was reading his mind.

“Actually, I’m not. Ty knows I trust him, and I know Ty trusts me. We’re adults, and we have a solid basis for our relationship.” He smiled, showing teeth. Maybe Seb would ask him to step outside, recognizing the challenge for what it was.

Seb did not. He sniffed and tossed his head a little, but he looked away. “That’s really fantastic. I’m glad you’ve found someone you can trust so thoroughly.” He drained the rest of his glass. “Enjoy the rest of your evening out, boys. I’m sure I’ll see you around.”

He left the bar, and Carter was left with Ty and a boatload of questions. Finally, he picked up his drink. “So,” he said slowly. “You were engaged to that?”

He regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth, because they were rude. They were almost insulting. He didn’t like this guy, and he didn’t think much of him, but he didn’t have the right to disparage Ty’s ex to him.

Ty just laughed. It was the first genuine, belly-busting laugh he’d given since they met, and it transformed his whole face. Carter had seen him as hot, and he’d seen him as good looking in an intense kind of way. He’d never seen him as beautiful, until now. “Right? Oh, my God, I thought I was in love with him!” He doubled over with laughter, and more than a few people turned to stare. He wiped tears away and tried to catch his breath. “I saw him just now, and all I could think of was how much I couldn’t wait to take a shower and wash the slime away.”

Carter relaxed and took Ty’s hand again. “Seriously? Why did you agree to marry him if he’s so slimy?”

Ty blushed. “I guess he reminded me of my dad, a bit. His family is pretty close with mine, you know? They’d been trying to set us up for years, but they couldn’t make it work. Then they did, and it was okay. At least, I thought it was okay. I didn’t know better, you know?” He shook his head and looked at the door. “What a pompous ass.”

Carter snickered. “What broke you two up?”

Ty stopped laughing. He turned red, and he looked down. “I’d love to be able to tell you I woke up, saw what a jackass he is, and kicked him to the curb. It wasn’t like that at all.” He took a deep breath. “I’d worked my ass off to get through law school. Top of my class, right? And I got the absolute best job offer I could, from the firm I’m with now. And he turns around and tells me, ‘Well, you can’t take it, because I’ve got a job offer in London. And you’re just going to quit your job when we have kids anyway.’”

“So, you left?” Carter rubbed his thumb against the back of Ty’s hand.

“No. He did. I told him I was willing to do the long distance thing. It’s not like it mattered, because I was going to work so many hours over the next couple of years we wouldn’t see each other anyway. And I pointed out he’d known that when he proposed. So, he called off the wedding, more than half of which was already paid for, and all of our friends sided with him. And that’s all she wrote.” He folded his lips into a grim little line.

Carter almost couldn’t believe what he’d just heard. “What a dick.”

“Well, you did meet him. Did you expect he’d ever been a nice guy?” Ty managed a laugh. “It’s funny. I know we’re not…you know. I know we don’t expect eternal bliss from one another or anything like that. I know this is a transaction, and our expectations of each other are set accordingly. But I have to say, Carter, you’ve already taught me to expect so much more from people.”

Now it was Carter’s turn to blush. He hadn’t done much for Ty. He’d shown up, confused him, hung out with him a few times, and married him for money. “Seriously?”

“Seriously.” Ty bowed his head and took his hand back. He wrapped it around the stem of his cocktail glass. “Anyway,” he said with a kind of brittle cheer. “I apologize for the way he behaved to you. He should know better, but he doesn’t.”

Carter smirked. “You’re not responsible for his bad behavior. But I will admit that he was not my favorite person. I did pocket his cash, though.”

Ty’s eyes widened. “Wait, what?”

Carter leaned forward and lowered his voice. He didn’t want to brag, but he did enjoy getting reactions out of Ty. “Come on. I’m the starting second baseman for the local favorite team. I don’t ask for free drinks, but I usually get them.” He winked and sat up. “I won’t tell Sebastian if you don’t.”

Ty grinned again, and he relaxed a little more. Carter couldn’t tell if he was relaxing because he was learning to trust Carter more, or because the Manhattans were working their magic. He was going to have to assume that it was both. “My lips are sealed,” he said. His eyes twinkled.

Carter chuckled and moved his seat, so holding hands didn’t feel quite as physically awkward. “So you and Keegan aren’t all that close with your parents.” He had to admit he’d been curious before, when he and Ty first got married. He’d expected to have some kind of “meet the parents” night or something. Ty hadn’t shown much curiosity about Carter’s parents, though, and Carter hadn’t exactly wanted to call them up and tell them he’d gotten paid to marry someone. He hadn’t wanted to push the issue, but Seb’s comment made him wonder.

“No, not really.” Ty made a face. “I mean we were both in boarding school as soon as we could be, so it’s not like we ever had much of a relationship with them to begin with. And that was our normal, you know? Everyone else we knew was just like that, until we got to college.” He turned his head. “They pushed for me and Seb to get together, and they were really upset when I wouldn’t go to London with him. They tried to fix me up with a few alphas after that, but they were all basically Seb clones, and I wasn’t about to quit the job I’d worked so hard for. Yeah, I wanted a husband and a family. I didn’t want to lose everything I’d been and done to get there. My dads didn’t get that. Don’t get that, I guess.”

“I see.” Carter didn’t see, not really, but it wasn’t any fault of Ty’s. He couldn’t quite make himself understand parents who tried to restrain their children like that, especially based on something so simple as whether or not they could bear children. “When’s the last time you spoke with them?”

“I don’t know. I think I sent them a Christmas card.” He scratched his head. “I don’t want to make it sound hostile, because it’s not. It’s just…we’re not close. We don’t seek each other out, and it’s fine. I’m a lot closer with Keegan.”

“Obviously.” Carter smirked and lifted his glass in salute. “That’s too bad, though. Do you plan to tell them you got married at all?”

“Well, I’ll have to. If I want to free up that portion of my trust fund for you, I have to tell them. I was just hoping to wait until there was a baby on the way.” His face melted a little, reminding Carter that they hadn’t decided to go out tonight just because it was fun.

“Hey. It’s okay. We can try again before I leave for Spring Training.” He squeezed Carter’s hand.

“Really?” Ty blushed. His skin was so fair it was easy to see when he blushed. “I hate to put you through that again.”

Carter felt his jaw drop. “Ty, I’m sorry if I gave you the impression that you put me through anything the last time, okay? I enjoyed it. It was a little bit weird because we didn’t know each other at all, but I liked it. I like you, and I’m sure as hell not going to complain about doing it again. All right?”

Ty nodded, mute. Had he not enjoyed it? He’d been responsive, at least. He’d gotten off. It must have been a little galling, under the circumstances, but Carter hadn’t gotten any complaints before. Ty wouldn’t look at him, though.

Carter remembered Seb, and the way he spoke to Ty. He wouldn’t have been at all shy about any shortcomings or complaints. He’d have made any issues he had perfectly clear. “Look,” he said, trying to catch Ty’s eye. “It was good for me, okay? I hope it was good for you, and next time will be even better. I promise.”

Ty managed to grin a little bit at that, and Carter had to be satisfied with that. He didn’t try to force the issue, but he knew Ty had a lot more going on under the surface.