Chapter Six
Cory
I shook hands, thanked my new employers, kissed the baby’s sweet little fist, and showed myself out, promising to be back by dinnertime with my things. I’d done it. On some level, I’d never believed I could get this job, or any job outside the university. Maybe that professor’s attitude had worn my confidence down more than I’d realized. Closing the door behind me, I leaned against it and fist pumped.
Success on the first try.
Now, all I had to do was succeed in the actual baby care.
Holy gumbo, as Mom liked to say. Her version of serious swearing, and the only kind she tolerated from any of her dozen offspring. As the eldest of that crew, I’d changed thousands of diapers and spooned so much baby food into little mouths I could do it with my eyes closed. I also knew better than my flighty thoughts while looking at the ad.
A baby kept a man busy. Sure, they slept a lot, but there were always things to do while they did. With the generous salary offered, I planned to add some light housekeeping to my tasks, possibly a little cooking for the two super-hot guys who had hired me.
They were a married couple, with a child, so I had no business even noticing their hotness, but I couldn’t help myself. The fireman, Levi, exuded a super-sexy muscular competence that said he could handle any situation. And the accountant, Ben, while no slouch in the physical department, had an intellectual intensity I recognized from some of my favorite professors in college.
I should probably walk away from the job but I needed the money. I hadn’t ever jumped on a hot alpha without an invitation so far in life, so I didn’t plan to start now. Two alphas married. Hmmm.
As I climbed into my car and steered back to the apartment to let my roomies know the situation and collect my meager belongings, I remembered a family back home in Ohio. Two alphas and an omega. They seemed happy together when I ran into them around town, shopping or jogging, pushing the running stroller with their little twin girls in it. Always a friendly smile or wave.
Happy.
I’d always been able to see myself in a family like that, but the life of a starving student working day and night to finish his doctorate was not conducive to long-term relationships. I’d dated a few alphas, had a good time, but school came first.
Living in a small place with three other guys, jockeying for bathroom time, someone always awake, studying, music playing twenty-four-seven, even when it was through headphones, the flicker of laptop screens lit the room.
Then I walked into the comfortable home of Ben, Levi, and little Tobias. The first thing that struck me was the quiet. The second was the smell. Our apartment smelled like sweat socks and ramen. My new employers’ home had smelled like dinner cooking, something tasty and savory and spicy. Lemon furniture polish. Baby powder.
And, when I stood close to the alphas, their scents filled my brain. Ben, a hint of woodsmoke—maybe from his job?—and eucalyptus. Levi, fainter, but no less appealing, like apples and something spicy. I only hoped I hadn’t been noticeably sniffing them.
Their home wasn’t fancy, but it was nice. Polished wood flooring with soft, colorful rugs scattered about. An afghan in shades of blue tossed over the back of the leather sofa, ready for cuddling under on a cool day. The image appeared in my mind as I sat in the driveway of my now-former residence. Me in the middle, Tobias on my lap, Ben on my left, Levi on the right. Hot tea and cookies on a tray. An old black-and-white movie on the TV. Or Paw Patrol. Holy crap, but I’d better shut this down right now.
I was an employee. They were a family.
I was the nanny.
I took care of the baby; they paid me for the privilege.
Chanting the words that would keep me from being stupid and blowing the best situation I could have hoped for, I took the steps to the apartment two at a time, let myself into the place, and threw my clothes in my dad’s Navy duffel. Books I piled into a box someone left by the door, and I abandoned everything else. My laptop was in the car already. The few dishes and things I’d bought while living there were cheap and easily replaced, but the guys could use them. Nobody was home this time of day so I left a note and told them they could use my share of the rent paid for the rest of the month so they had time to find someone to take my place. I’d put a forwarding address in at the post office in a day or two, but I’d see my former roomies on campus anyway, if something came before then.
With my things stowed in the trunk, I drove off without looking back. My life had taken a radical change in a single day. And I couldn’t help but think it was for the best.
As long as I kept my head about me and didn’t throw myself at the alphas who I worked for.
The sun was low in the sky behind the comfy house when I pulled up in front. Lights shone out the big front windows where the curtains were pulled back enough to see my new family—employers!—moving around. I climbed out of the car, hefted as many of my things as I could, and headed for the front door. Even though they’d given me a key when they hired me, I rang the bell anyway.
Ben opened it and took the box of books from my arms. “We’ll help you with the rest. You’re gonna wear yourself out hauling all this stuff, and we still have to interrogate you over dinner.”
I gaped, but the twinkle in his eyes made me realize it was a joke, so I offered a weak smile in return. “There’s not a lot out there. I can get it.”
“We’ll all do it, after dinner. Now get in here before it gets cold.” He headed into the living room, up a staircase, and down a hallway. “The bedrooms are this way.” Ben opened a door and waved. “This is our room, and the baby is right across the hall.” He continued on. “You can check out the nursery later, but here’s your room.” He opened another door and stepped back. “Set your stuff down and meet us in the kitchen. We don’t eat at the dining room table unless it’s with company. Family eats in the kitchen.”
And he was gone before I could reply. Turning, I stepped into the cozy room. A double bed piled with quilts and pillows sat in the middle, a single nightstand on the right side. On the opposite wall, a TV stood on top of a dresser by a small desk. The single door led to a Jack and Jill bathroom between my room and the nursery. Convenient. I could get up at night or early to tend Tobias without waking the alphas.
I couldn’t resist peeking into the baby’s room, but it wasn’t really a nursery. More like a guest room with a crib. That would change soon, I had no doubt. Since they had become parents suddenly, they’d had no time to shop. If they had another, they’d probably be planners, have everything set up months in advance.
Of course, two alphas couldn’t have a baby without help. Without an omega.
Like me.
“Hey,” called a voice from the other end of the house. “Dinner’s on. You coming?”
I gave one more look to my new room and shrugged. Whatever happened, I sure had a better place to live.
If I could keep from making a fool of myself, I might even get to stay there.