Page 21

21

A fter rushing to get ready, Echo rolled into work a solid thirty minutes late. He’d not been in his lab for more than two minutes when Diego appeared.

“Any news?”

“None,” Echo said. “Although, I had a nice talk with Tempest this morning. She went down to the cave and shot some great photographs. Maybe we can grab lunch, and you can take a peek.”

“I’d love that,” Diego said, looking as crestfallen as Echo likely had earlier that morning. “Do you think they’re okay?”

“I do,” Echo said, half fibbing.

“I’m glad you do,” Diego mumbled. “All I can do is worry.”

“I remind myself of what Mael did to that shark when I begin to…” Echo reached out for the corner of the lab table for support as a wave of dizziness hit.

“Are you okay?” Diego asked, concern etched on his face.

Echo nodded… but two seconds later ran to the trashcan beside the door and puked up the cereal he’d eaten before going out to the bluffs.

Diego handed him a damp paper towel once he was done.

“Thanks.”

“Maybe you should go home?” Diego asked.

Echo rested his bottom on a tall lab stool. “No. I’ll be okay in a few.”

“Echo… you can’t work sick.”

Not telling anyone was killing him. He wanted Maelstrom to be the first to learn the news, but that could be weeks. If there was a problem before his mate came home, someone needed to know. Who better than Diego?

“Close the blinds,” Echo said, motioning to the window in his lab door.

Diego did and turned to eye him, frowning.

Echo lifted his loose shirt and showed off his mini swell.

Diego’s eyes widened. “Is that what I think it is?”

“I think so. I have an appointment later this afternoon to confirm,” Echo said.

“But… your heat was just a few weeks ago,” Diego said. “How can you be this pregn—” He paused. “A big, giant orca baby?”

“Or multiples,” Echo whispered.

“Oh, shit,” Diego said. “Would you like company at your appointment? I’m sure you’d much rather have Maelstrom there, but I can hold your hand and play the expectant dad in his place if it would help.”

“You don’t have to,” Echo said. He thought about it for a second. “But I wouldn’t mind someone there for moral support.”

Diego grinned. “I’ll be there.” His smile fell. “Wait… do you think your doctor will figure out they’re part orca?”

“They? Are we already assuming I’m having more than one?”

“Hey, you said it. Not me,” Diego replied. “And there’s something going on if you’re already showing this soon.”

Echo was of the same mind. “I can’t imagine she could tell they weren’t fully dolphin this early on. We’re in the same family, just different genus and species, so I’d assume there are fetal similarities. Plus we’re both half human—but who knows?” Echo sighed. “She’s always been super cool about covering for—” Echo paused. Over the years, he’d told Diego nearly everything—all but one secret he’d kept to himself.

“Covering for what?”

“If you’re coming to my appointment, I suppose you might see something you don’t know about me,” Echo said. “I was… born intersex.”

Diego blinked a few times. “I know.”

“What do you mean, you know?”

“We’ve been friends since childhood, Echo. I’ve seen things I probably shouldn’t have but they were just… there. Kind of like when Mael dropped trow right in front of me as if I wasn’t there and I saw his secret, too.”

“And you’ve never said anything? All of these years?”

“Why would I comment on your genitalia?” Diego asked, frowning. “Though, I think I should be offended that you’re finally sharing this massive revelation, twenty-two years later.”

Echo raised his eyebrows. “I was scared to tell you when I was younger.”

“Scared of what?”

“That you wouldn’t want to be my friend.”

Diego’s mouth opened, his frown deepening. “Why wouldn’t I?”

Echo sighed. “I’m not… like other guys. I thought you’d make fun of me.”

“One, have you ever known me to make fun of people?” He waved his hand to stop Echo from answering. “Maliciously making fun of people?”

“No,” Echo murmured. “But I didn’t know you well enough in the beginning. By the time I did, it just seemed smarter to leave it alone.”

“Smarter.” Diego rolled his eyes. “Back to your other comment. How are you not like other guys?” Diego asked. “Just because you have a bonus hole? If you say you’re a guy, you’re a guy. End of.”

Echo fought a smile. “Well, there are days I feel a little more feminine, too.”

Diego shrugged, frowning. “We’re omega. We have a womb and an ovary that regularly pumps us full of estrogen. Why would you not feel a little more feminine on occasion? I do.”

“You do?”

“Of course,” Diego replied.

He’d never considered that his omeganess could account for some of his feminine traits. He’d assumed all of it was from him being born intersex. “You don’t act like you do,” Echo said, voice low.

“What? Because I don’t swish my ass, wear makeup and skirts, or giggle, I’m not femme enough for you?”

“I love you, you asshole,” Echo said, chuckling. “I don’t swish, nor do I giggle.”

“That wasn’t aimed at you, I swear,” Diego replied. “But there is the occasional swish. Those are the days I know your feminine side’s in full control. And you have giggled a time or two. Not often, but it has snuck out.”

Echo chuckled, not recognizing how well Diego truly knew him before that moment. “I’ve also worn makeup. You might never have seen me in a skirt, but that doesn’t mean I don’t own a few.”

Diego grinned. “I’ve been in your closet. I know they’re there.”

“I thought I’d hidden them well enough.”

“Why hide them? If you want to wear them, wear them. Who the fuck cares?”

“My mom cares.”

“Fuck your mom,” Diego said. “She’s a million miles away right now. It’s the perfect time to break them out and give them a spin.”

“She’s not a million miles away. They came home this morning. They’re going to be staying with me for a few weeks until their renter leaves.”

Diego cringed. “You’re always welcome to come over for a sleepover if she gets on your nerves.”

“Appreciated and I just might.”

“We can spend the night braiding our hair and playing with makeup and giggling over the boys we like,” Diego said before winking.

“You wait. I could hold you to that.”

“Bring it.” Diego moved closer and leaned against the lab table. “I’ve noticed you leaning more into femme clothes over the last couple of months—and I’ve peppered in a few compliments but didn’t want to make a big deal about it in case it made you feel self-conscious. But I’m telling you now, you look amazing. You look happy. If wearing skirts and frills makes you happy, do it. Your mom be damned. Live your life the way you want to live it.”

“You know how she can be. She was always worried that the whole pod would find out I was intersex, and we’d get exiled.”

“Why would the pod kick you out over that?”

“I don’t know… but then, her family was kicked out of her other pod, so maybe it’s residual fear and trauma from that experience.”

“I’d almost forgotten about that. I’m sure losing her home and extended family did have an impact on her.”

“To the extreme. Every time I did anything she thought might remotely bring negative attention, she’d gripe about it until I stopped. She’s already mentioned my hair was too long and she only saw me for ten minutes. I look too girlie.”

“She’s going to have a coronary when she finds out about Mael,” Diego said. He grinned wickedly. “Can I be there when you tell her? I want to see Joanna’s face.”

“I’m not ready to spring that on them yet. Hopefully they’re back in their house by the time Mael and his brothers return.”

Diego frowned. “You might end up having to tell them.” He pointed to Echo’s stomach. “If you’re that big already, it’s only a matter of time before you can’t hide it.”

“I know,” Echo said. “I just want to do it when I’m ready and it feels right. They came home early, and I’m unprepared. I haven’t had a chance to talk to Mael. I want him to find out he’s going to be a dad before I tell my parents.” Echo leaned in. “If it wasn’t clear, we’re not telling anyone yet.”

“Assumed but noted.” He leaned closer and hugged Echo against his side. “After you tell your parents about Mael, you’ll have to tell me what to do and what not to do if I ever get to tell mine.”

Echo frowned. “Havoc will get his head out of his ass eventually.”

“I doubt it,” Diego replied. “He didn’t come to say goodbye before he left for three months. I had to find out from you.”

“Does he even know where you live? Or have your number?”

“No,” Diego muttered. “But did you give Maelstrom your number and address? No. He hunted you down like a proper predator. Mine’s hot and cold. No, make that lukewarm and cold. Mostly cold.”

“Have you offered to warm him up?”

Diego’s face grew red.

“Then, maybe you need to make a second first move.”

Diego huffed, shaking his head. “I already fucked that up. Not doing that again.”

“Maybe the time apart will be good,” Echo said. “Absence making the heart grow fonder and shit. Once you two see one another again, sparks might fly and melt that ice of his.”

“I suppose we’ll see,” Diego said. “In three to five weeks.”

“Ugh,” Echo said. “Don’t remind me how long we’ve still got to go. I want Mael home now.”