Content Warning: This chapter contains discussion of a case of sexual exploitation of a minor.
“So now the other worries," Alex continued. "I guess the shelter is semi-easy to fix. We’ve worked with a fantastic nonprofit before that helps steer underage trait-related cases in the foster care system to eligible foster parents who have experience working with these types of kids or who are forced-claim or TBV** survivors themselves. They actually help train prospective foster parents, too. Love them. If we need to, we can call over to them and find out how to get Jaiden into the pipeline.” He took a swig of coffee. “But I think it may be worth trying again with the father,” he added. “Did Jaiden say whether the father was abusive or neglectful?”
Gabriel shook his head and sighed, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, his admittedly tasty chocolate milk held in both hands. “No. From the way Jaiden described it, I think the dad has had a hard time raising an Omega on his own, works second shift at the sugar factory so he’s not home a lot, feels angry that his son was taken advantage of, feels angry that his son was hiding things from him, and has some Alpha honor-of-the-household bullshit going on, too. I think Jaiden would be pretty happy if we could get the two of them reconnected, but I just didn’t have any luck. As soon as he heard the word “legal,” Dad couldn’t hang up fast enough, and then he blocked my number. Lesson learned.”
Alex leaned forward, too. “Well, you’re right that we don’t need the father’s consent for treatment as long as Jaiden is living outside the home, but it could help us convince Jaiden to come to the clinic for assessment if we can get dad on board. Would you mind if I tried to call the dad? Maybe I can science him, or maybe I can guilt him, or maybe I can just charm him a little. I’ll have to see how it goes. While I work on the dad, you can work on Jaiden." Alex rubbed his lower lip with a thumb, thinking. "Life is long, and he’s not going to want to bear this guy’s mark and scent next month, let alone for the rest of his life. And by the way, the hole in the law that treats these early-puberty Omega teens as consenting adults the minute they produce pheromones is obscene-- teens having sex with each other is one thing, a permanent claim from a 27 year old is another."
Gabriel made a disgusted face. “Believe me, that particular legal lapse is on my list. Do you want to give me your number and then I’ll text you dad’s name and number when I get to the office in the morning?”
Alex dug into his pocket and produced his phone, unlocked it, and handed it over. “Sure. Text yourself. I’ll let you know how it goes if I can get him to talk to me.”
Gabriel handed him back his phone and grabbed his own to save Alex as a contact. “Perfect. Same here. I’ll let you know if I make any progress with Jaiden. Thanks so much for helping with this. And that was a legal ‘thank you,’ by the way, because it was on Jaiden’s behalf.”
They chatted for what Gabriel thought was about half an hour, during which Gabriel focused on getting acclimated to The Face, but when he checked the time on his phone it was already after ten thirty. “Oh man, I lost track of time. I gotta get going. I biked today.”
Alex looked at him with consternation. “Did you? Well, let me drive you home. It's pretty late. I trail ride sometimes, so I’ve got a rack on the back of my car. I don’t mind at all.”
Gabriel considered. He was exhausted. If he biked back, he needed to go back into the office and change clothes before he could leave. And while he’d taken a lot of self-defense and martial arts classes in the past four years, he knew it wasn’t a great idea for anyone to wander around Baltimore alone late at night. Then again, there was the car ride itself to take into account. While he’d worked pretty hard to get comfortable around trustworthy Alphas again, he did prefer to avoid things like being alone with them in enclosed spaces when possible. But he was probably going to end up in cars or offices with Alex now and then for work reasons, and he didn’t want it to be an issue. Besides, he couldn’t think of another person on the planet who’d done more than Alex to demonstrate his trustworthiness.
Gabriel tilted his head. “You really don’t mind?”
Alex stood. “It’s no trouble at all. Come on. Where’s your bike?”
Gabriel pointed through the window at his office building. “It’s in the storage closet at the office, we’ll have to walk back over.”
Alex opened the coffee shop door and held it for him. “That’s fine, that’s where I’m parked anyway.”
They returned to the office building, and Gabriel wheeled his bike out. Alex loaded it onto the rack while Gabriel ran to grab a couple of things out of his office. He locked up and headed for the passenger side of the car, but Alex beat him there and held the door open for him and closed it after he was inside. When Alex slid into the driver’s seat, Gabriel noted, “you’re very chivalrous.”
“Let’s just say proper etiquette was not optional in my family. You’ll have to tolerate it. I break out in hives if I forget to stand when an Omega or female rises at a table. It’s in the bone at this point.” He lifted one corner of his mouth in a little self-mocking smile and pulled the driver’s side door shut.
The drive was less than five minutes, and most of the conversation was just Gabriel providing directions to his apartment building. Gabriel was very conscious of Alex’s scent, which was concentrated in the cabin of the SUV. More rain than ozone, Gabriel decided. He was feeling a little lightheaded. Anxiety? Exhaustion? They pulled up in front of the apartment building before Gabriel could figure out what was wrong with him. Alex opened his door to let him out, and unloaded his bike. “I’ll walk you to the front door and make sure you get in okay," he said, wheeling the bike along. “I don’t want to risk the hives.”
Gabriel unlocked the heavy front door of the building and Alex held the door so he could wheel his bike inside. “Thanks so much for the ride, and for the help with Jaiden! Have a good night," Gabriel said over his shoulder.
Alex waved with his free hand. “No problem…Gabriel?” Alex held the big front door open so they could talk.
Gabriel paused in the lobby and turned towards him. “Yes?”
“You look tired. Don’t study tonight. Go to bed.”
Gabriel yawned hugely, right on cue. “Honestly, I think I probably will. I’ve been burning the candle at both ends all week, and you’ve taken a couple of things off of my to-do list for tomorrow, so I should be able to get home on time and study a little extra tomorrow.”
“Gabriel?”
“Hmm?”
“I know it’s weird to ask, but I’m kind of a worrier. Would you shoot me a text when you’ve made it into your apartment?” Alex's tone was slightly apologetic.
Gabriel laughed at him. “Sure. As long as old Mrs. Nowak next door doesn’t shank me in the hallway, I will send you a proof of life text.”
“Thanks. It was really nice to meet you...again... and under much better circumstances. Thanks for all you're doing for the Foundation. And don’t forget to send me that phone number tomorrow. Sleep well.” Alex started to close the door, slowly.
“You too.” Gabriel turned and crossed the perilous fifteen feet of smooth floor between himself and the elevator. When he got into his apartment and leaned the bike against the wall, he reached into his pocket for his phone.
10:52 pm It was touch and go but I made it in.
10:53 pm Ok, thanks, heading out then. Talk tomorrow.
10:53 pm *thumbs up*
He waited to leave until he heard from me? Gabriel was a little...touched. He shrugged and shook his head to clear out the little whisper of infatuation that had drifted through his mind just then. He was just tired. No one could fight The Face when they were tired. He'd feel better in the morning.
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