Chapter 7

The sky had a golden hue when Ginger finished with his last customer. "Thank you for using my service," Ginger said as he packaged and handed the photo to the mother and daughter. Ginger placed the five-dollar bill with the rest of the money and broke down the table and chairs. He heard footsteps approaching him and glanced up. "I'm sorry, but we're closed," Ginger stated when Thomas stepped up.

"You owe me a sketched photo," the young man insisted.

"I'm sorry, but if you want a contracted job done, contact my boss," Ginger said, turning away to finish up his cleanup. A hand grabbed his arm.

"I demand that picture that you skipped out on doing," Thomas demanded.

"Let go of me," Ginger commanded.

The grip on Ginger's arm tightened. "Is there a problem?" a familiar voice asked. Ginger rubbed his arm when the grip loosened. Ginger raised his eyes and found Alex standing a few inches away. Ginger sighed in relief when Alex stepped up.

"Good timing," Ginger said, cracking a smile.

"Is this person bothering you?" Alex asked, switching his gaze to Thomas and glaring at him.

"Just a rude customer," Ginger stated, grabbing his stuff and the money he earned. They heard Thomas curse, "You'll pay for that," as they walked away.

The sky darkened when they reached Alex's car. The only things visible were stars and the moon.

"Just sit them in the backseat," Alex said, opening the door. Ginger placed everything in the backseat, closed the door, and got into the front seat. He fastened his seatbelt, leaned back, and exhaled deeply. Bruises started to form where Thomas' hand had been.

"Did he hurt you?" Alex asked, concerned, as he buckled up and started the engine.

"I'm fine," Ginger said, rubbing his arm. "He had a strong grip," he said. Ginger was upset but fought hard to hide it.

Ginger remained quiet and watched out the window as Alex drove. "Do you need to go back tomorrow?" Alex asked.

"No," Ginger said, shaking his head. "Another artist will be presented," he said. "We all take turns since Mrs. Milano sponsors multiple artists," he continued.

"Then that lets you rest and recharge," Alex said. "Here we are," he said, parking the car and turning off the engine. Alex helped by carrying the money box, while Ginger carried his bag of art supplies.

"Thanks for earlier," Ginger said when they stopped at his apartment door. "I guess that my ex doesn't get the hint that I don't want to see him," he said.

"I could tell him to quit asking for your services and leave you alone," Alex offered.

Ginger unlocked the door, and they entered. "There's no need to say anything to him," Ginger said.

"But he hurt you," Alex stated, pulling up Ginger's sleeve.

"It's not that bad," Ginger said, pulling it back down. Alex frowned.

"I won't say anything, but if he continues to cause trouble for you, I have no choice but to intervene," Alex said. "You are my friend, and I don't like seeing you upset," he said.

"I appreciate your concern, but I don't want you getting into trouble because of me," Ginger said.

"That's what friends do; they help each other," Alex said. "Well, it's getting late," Alex said, glancing at his watch. "Rest up," he advised. Ginger watched as Alex left, locked the door, and got ready for bed.

Around midnight, Ginger woke up feeling hot and uncomfortable. "Crap, my heat started," he grumbled. His sheets and clothes were soaked with sweat. He stripped off the soaked sheets and put on a fresh set. He then entered the bathroom and filled the tub with cool water. He changed out of his clothes, turned off the running water, and stepped into the tub. He washed the sweat from his body and soaked for ten minutes. Instead of putting on another pair of pajamas, he dressed in navy boxers. He laid back down and closed his eyes. An hour later, he woke up feeling unwell. The symptoms of his heat cycle were back and worse than before.

Ginger stood up on wobbly legs, splashed his face with cool water, got a drink of water, and laid back down. He woke at 2 a.m., then again at 5 a.m.

"Ugh, sometimes I wish I wasn't an Omega," Ginger grumbled as he laid down on the couch. Ginger gave up getting any more sleep, so he stretched out on the couch.

"Maybe if I watch some TV, I'll fall back asleep," Ginger thought to himself as he grabbed the remote. He switched the television off after thirty minutes. "I need a way to relax because this stinks," he grumbled.

The next thing he knew, there was a knock on the door. "What now?" he grumbled in irritation. He sluggishly walked over to the door and opened it. The smell of seawater hit him hard.

"Now isn't the best time for me to have guests," Ginger said. The scents of strawberries and lavender radiating from Ginger smacked Alex in the face, making him gulp. He noticed sweat oozing from Ginger's forehead.

"You're in heat; I am not leaving until it's dealt with," Alex said as he stepped inside and closed the door behind them.

Alex scooped Ginger into his arms and carried him into the bedroom. He placed Ginger on the bed and proceeded to undress him.

"Wait," Ginger said as he glanced at Alex, shocked. "What are you doing?" he asked, grabbing Alex's hands.

"I'm undressing you so I can cool you down," Alex said. "What did you think I was going to do to you, silly?" he asked. Ginger's cheeks turned a dark shade of pink.

"Well, I," Ginger said, embarrassed.

"Silly, I wouldn't take advantage of you like that," Alex said. "You're my friend," he stated.

Ginger calmed down and let Alex wipe his sweaty body off with a damp washrag. "Do you have any medicine for your heat cycles?" Alex asked.

"No, they cost too much," Ginger said, whimpering.

"There's something we could try, but I need your permission first," he said.

"For what?" Ginger asked, alarmed.

"Temporarily marking you," Alex remarked.

"Don't we need to be mates to do that?" Ginger asked, his hazel eyes widening with surprise.

"I can temporarily mark you, then go and buy you medications," Alex explained. Ginger pondered over this offer until a sharp pain struck him.

"Go ahead," Ginger said. "I hurt like hell," he said as he breathed through the pain.

Alex positioned himself behind Ginger after the redhead was dressed in lightweight pajamas.

"Relax because it'll hurt for a few seconds," the blonde said. He felt Ginger squirm. "It'll be over soon," he said. Ginger cried out when Alex's teeth penetrated the skin of his neck. Ginger's heart raced for several seconds, then normalized. Alex's pheromones soothed him enough to make him lay down and close his eyes. "I'll be right back with your medicine," Alex said after he covered Ginger up with the blanket.

Alex's phone rang just as soon as he grabbed Ginger's apartment keys and reached the elevators.

"Hello," Alex said, answering the phone.

"Hello, son," Neil said on the other end of the phone call. "Where are you right now?" he asked.

"At Ginger's apartment," Alex replied. "I'll come home, but I need to leave once I pack up some clothes," he said.

"What happened?" his father asked.

"His heat cycle started, and he needs me right now," Alex said.

"Go ahead and be with him," Neil said. "I was just checking up on you," he said.

"Thanks for understanding, and tell Teddy I'm sorry for not being able to play with him," Alex said.

Alex picked up a bottle of suppressants and painkillers for Ginger from the drug store and then headed to his house.

"Uncle, you're back," Teddy said cheerfully, running up to Alex when he entered the house.

"I'm not staying for long," Alex said.

"Why?" the youngster asked, frowning.

"My friend is sick and needs me to stay for a few days," Alex explained. "I've got to go pack, so be a good boy while I'm gone," he said.

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