played. Riley was practically glued to the window, staring out.
“So, the bigger house is my parents’. The one with the blue door is where my sister Angie and her family live. The green is my older brother Leo’s place. He and his partner live there with their kids and his brother-in-law.”
“That’s a lot of people,” Riley murmured.
“We’re a close family.”
Riley sat back and glanced his way. “You don’t talk about them much.”
“I don’t talk to them much. Just these last few months since Jason got married.”
“Jason?”
“My youngest brother. He’s an omega, like you.”
“Did you have an argument?”
Brendan could see how he’d given that impression. “Nah. Jason and I get on like a house on fire. His husband’s cool too, you’ll like him. It’s just… every time someone gets married, my family are like a dog with a bone for a few months. It’s all ‘when are you settling down, Brendan?’, ‘when is it your turn down the aisle?’, ‘we want more grandkids.’”
Riley snorted with laughter.
“You think I’m joking? Just wait until you meet Grams. She’ll be sizing up your waist all evening, trying to see if I’ve already got you ‘in the family way.’”
Riley’s grin turned to a look of horror. “You’re joking, aren’t you?”
“Now you see why I go low contact for a while. Once the wedding fever burns itself out, it eases off. But there’ll be at least one grandchild born in the next year. That’ll start the cycle up all over again.”
“Might be easier just to marry and pop out a few kids,” Riley said.
Brendan laughed. “Sure, but I’m a stubborn bastard. Determined to do this on my own timetable. I’ve seen what rushing to marriage looks like when the feelings are only lukewarm.”
“Your siblings?” Riley ventured.
“Nah, they’re stubborn like me. But a lot of our cousins gave in to family pressure. There’s a lot of unhappiness. Doesn’t make a good environment for the kids, either.”
They pulled up in front of his parents’ house, and a few people came out to greet them. Riley all but recoiled in his seat.
“Ready?” Brendan asked.
“I guess.”
“Don’t worry. It’ll be a lot of fun, I promise.”
“Fun for who?” Riley muttered, but he was already plastering a smile on his face and opening the door.
Brendan got out too, glad to see that Angie was there. She’d stop their parents and Grams from overwhelming the poor omega.
“Bren!” Angie yanked him into a hug and murmured in his ear. “He’s gorgeous. Where have you been hiding him?”
Brendan shook his head as he hugged her back and turned to his parents.
“Hey, Pop. Dad. Thanks for having us. This is Riley.”
He turned to his grandmother. “Hey, Grams. How’s your hip these days?”
“Brendan.” She hugged him tightly. “I was so surprised when Angie told me you were bringing a guest. I had Maggie May’s godson all lined up to keep you company for the weekend.”
“Riley will be more than enough company for me,” Brendan said. He tried to steer her back toward the house, but she broke away from his grip and approached the omega.
“So, you’re the one Brendan’s been keeping so secret.”
Riley, to his credit, managed to blush and look embarrassed as she embraced him.
“You can call me Grams,” she said. “Everyone does.”
“Thank you for inviting me to your lovely home.”
“Any friend of Brendan’s is welcome here,” Grams said, ushering them inside. “Come and meet the rest. Don’t worry about remembering anyone’s name. Even I forget which grandchild is which sometimes.”
Riley laughed and let her lead him inside, glancing back at Brendan with a nervous smile. Brendan hurried to follow, hoping to forestall the interrogation he knew was coming. The less said, the fewer lies that needed to be told, the better.
They ate lunch, Riley using his food quite strategically to avoid the worst of the questions thrown his way by Brendan’s curious family. As soon as he could, Brendan hustled the omega out of there on the pretense of a walk and to see some of his nieces and nephews.
Once they were outside, they found themselves surrounded by a group of kids shouting questions their way.
“Are you getting married?” “Are you having a baby?” “Is Riley our new uncle?”
“They’re almost worse than Grams,” Brendan muttered, introducing each kid to Riley and trying to explain who was who.
“This is Colin, Angie’s eldest. He knows where everything is, so if you’re stuck, he’ll help. Right, Colin?”
“Right, Uncle Brendan.” Colin stepped closer and lowered his voice. “I also know where they keep the alcohol.”
Brendan had to laugh, especially