Shy Boy

By Beau Brown

Omega Kyle Holt has issues. He’s always been quiet and had trouble connecting to people. In high school he confused sex with love. He fooled around a bunch with bi-curious alphas attempting to find a connection. But those guys just wanted to use his body in secret, and pretend they didn’t even know him in real life.

Alpha Cliff Richard’s is a friend of Kyle’s brother. He’s confident, popular, and straight. But when he befriends Kyle, Cliff discovers not only does he like Kyle as a person, he’s having powerful feelings of sexual attraction toward his new buddy.

When Cliff pushes for more than just friendship, Kyle is afraid to cross that line. He’s been down this road too many times and doesn’t want to be used again. But he has such strong feelings for Cliff, he gives in.

Cliff thinks he’s ready to be open about his bisexual feelings, until reality hits. Sometimes the idea of something is more fun than the reality. Especially when you’re in a town full of bigots, and your own family disapproves.

Unfortunately, as Cliff struggles with fear and insecurities, Kyle only sees that as the same rejection he’s faced so many times before.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Beau Brown
• Release date: Jun 7, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005605520

Beau Brown

Beau Brown is a penname. I write heartwarming, steamy, mpreg stories.

Book preview

Chapter One

I was always a quiet kid. Omegas in general aren’t encouraged to be anything else. Alphas like us submissive. Pliant. I was used to the way our alpha omega society functioned, but I hated how awkward I was. How wary of people I felt. I didn’t need to be a social butterfly, but I really hoped one day I could learn to look people in the eye without feeling like I was unworthy.

When I got to my twenties, I really hoped my crippling shyness would evaporate magically. Obviously, it didn’t. I’m sure most of my mistrust of people came from the fact that my parents only cared about themselves. My dad was a violent, abusive jerk, and my mom was very cold and distant. When your own parents see you as nothing, after a while, you start to believe it.

It didn’t help any that while seeking acceptance in high school, I got into a very destructive cycle with some selfish alphas. I confused sex with being needed. Wanted. I let some straight alphas use me and experiment with me. It made me feel validated that they chased me. That they hungered for me. At first, I just didn’t get that it wasn’t me they wanted. I found solace in the fact that they didn’t need conversation. I liked that, because then my shyness didn’t matter. It took a while, but it finally clicked one day that I was just a piece of ass. A dirty little secret.

These days I lived with my older brother, Brett. He didn’t support me or anything, I paid rent. I had a job at the Home Depot in the paint department, but Brett was a P.E. teacher. I always felt like the unmotivated loser of the family because my aspirations were so low. I really just wanted a simple, happy life. It wasn’t that I didn’t have any goals, but I knew my shyness would be a problem if I dreamed too big. Besides, omegas weren’t encouraged to dream big.

Kyle, I’m talking to you.

My brother’s impatient voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I looked up to find him frowning at me. What?

He shook his head. I was telling you I may or may not be home tonight because I’m seeing Cynthia after work.

Okay.

He rinsed his plate at the sink as he spoke. Cliff is dropping off some volleyball equipment around five. Will you be home?

I nodded. Uh… yeah. It’s my day off.

Good. He wiped his hands on a towel, and headed toward the door.

Why can’t he come by when you’re here? I tried to squelch the buzz of anxiety taking root in my gut. He’s your friend.

He pulled his dark brows together. What does it matter? I need the stuff for tomorrow morning, so he’s being nice and bringing it by.

I didn’t know Cliff very well. He seemed like a nice guy, but if Brett wasn’t here to carry the conversation, I’d have to try and think of stuff to talk about. Cliff sometimes made me nervous. He was a jock type like my brother, and I was the complete opposite of that. I liked to paint, and listen to music, neither of which were great conversation starters.

He’s not staying, right? I swallowed.

He rolled his eyes. Yeah, he’s gonna stay and play monopoly with you.

My cheeks warmed at his sarcasm. I just mean I don’t want to have to entertain him.

He laughed. I have no idea what his exact plans are, but my guess is he has as much interest in hanging with you, as you have in hanging with him.

That’s probably true. Cliff would obviously have better things to do.

Besides, it’s Friday. I’m sure he’d rather go out and pick up a girl.

Relieved, I nodded. True. It’s Friday. Yeah, he wouldn’t want to stick around with me. I was getting all worked up for no reason. He’d probably just drop the balls off and go.

So, to reiterate, I may not be home tonight. Depends on how frisky Cynthia is feeling. He grinned.

Got it. I won’t wait up.

He left, and I flinched when the screen door slammed loudly. I’d been meaning to fix that damn door spring for ages. I stood and examined the old hinges. One nice thing about my job was I got a discount on home improvement stuff. I’d already bought the new spring months ago, but had never gotten around to installing it. I went to the kitchen drawer where we kept screwdrivers and hardware. Riffling through the junk, I found the tools I’d need, and the hinge.

Today is the day. I held up the new part, twisting it in my fingers.

I pulled off my shirt, and finished my coffee in one gulp. Then I set about taking off the screen door. It was a warm day, but luckily there was a cool breeze that blew across my damp skin every now and then. I tinkered with the door for hours, tweaking and adjusting. No job was ever easy, and I ran into problems when one of the old pieces on the door was rusted through. But I found a similar part in the drawer that just needed a little modifying, and it worked as a replacement.

I was sitting on the floor fiddling with the bottom hinge, when a shadow fell across me from the door way. Looking up, I found Cliff standing there with a big bag over his shoulder. My stomach clenched nervously at the sight of him.

Oh. Hi. I dropped my gaze, feeling self-conscious. I was still holding the screwdriver, but not doing anything with it.

Hey, Kyle. He leaned down to look at what I was doing. Is the door broken?

His clean soapy scent wafted toward me, and I tried to ignore how good he smelled. He always smelled great. Of course I’d never tell him that, but I’d noticed his delicious scent many times before. Not really broken. I just got tired of it slamming all the time.

Ahh. And since you’re Mr. Fix-it, you decided to tackle the job?

When I looked up, he was smiling at me. It made me feel weird, and kind of fuzzy in the head. Hardly. Brett would get a big laugh out of that.

Last time I was here you were working on the dryer. He straightened, and stepped past me, his knee grazing my shoulder. You obviously have skills.

Oh, that was no biggie. It was just the belt.

That might not be a big deal for you, but I can’t fix shit. He grinned, and my stomach did that weird clenchy thing again.

I looked up at him under my lashes. I thought you weren’t coming till five?

I wasn’t. But then some of the guys called me, and they want to go to The Lazy Lemon tonight. He waggled his brows. It’s Friday night; time to dazzle the ladies.

I chuffed, and stared at my screwdriver. I guess.

I figured I’d just drop the stuff off early, and that would leave my evening free. He tossed the bag on the ground with a grunt. Are these okay here?

I’ll move them later. I pushed the screwdriver into the hinge, and started working again. Thanks for dropping by.

He laughed. Are you trying to get rid of me?

I looked up quickly, and frowned. No.

Yes.

Can I help? He knelt beside me, and my heart started pounding. He touched the hinge with his long tanned fingers, and I noticed how clean and polished his nails were. Mine had a dark layer of grease under them, and looked like I’d been making mud pies.

I shook my head. I’ve got it.

He met my nervous gaze, his blue eyes sincere. You sure? I don’t mind helping.

Thanks. This isn’t a two-man job. I shifted ever so slightly, just so his knee would stop grazing my arm.

He noticed, and he stood. Sorry. He frowned as he studied me. I forgot you don’t like being near people.

I wiped my forehead with the back of my arm. My hands were shaky, and I met his gaze tentatively. I don’t mean to be rude.

You’re not being rude, Kyle. I just forgot how you are.

Believe it or not… I swallowed loudly. I’m better than I used to be.

I’m glad.

I wiped my damp palm on my knee. I… uh… I appreciate you’re not getting mad at me.

Why would I get mad?

People take it personally when I get all sweaty and weird. My laugh was gruff.

I’ve been teaching for three years, and, trust me, you’re not that weird.

I think others might disagree.

Screw them. You’re just shy.

I guess. His passionate tone made me feel less tense. Whether I thought he was right or not, I appreciated that he cared enough to try and reassure me. He was probably a great teacher if he was this empathetic with his students.

He surprised me when, instead of leaving, he sat in one of the kitchen chairs. A lock of blond hair fell over his smooth forehead, and he smiled at me. He clasped his hands, his elbows resting on his knees. Do you have big Friday night plans?

I frowned. I haven’t really thought about it. I just planned on fixing the screen, and maybe doing some drawing later. God, even I could hear how pathetic that sounded.

How old are you now? You must be over twenty-one, right?

Nodding, I said, Twenty-Three. I can get sloshed legally if I want. Not that I want to. I do sometimes, but not at the moment. I had some beer the other day, but I got a headache. That’s why I don’t drink often. Anyway… you know what I mean. I cringed inwardly. God, I was babbling because I didn’t understand why he hadn’t left yet.

You don’t have any desire to get out of the house, and have a little fun on a Friday night? He narrowed his gaze.

Not particularly.

Huh. I’m not exactly a party animal, but I do enjoy dating occasionally.

Yeah. I don’t date much. Or ever.

No? How are you ever going to meet anyone? I’m sure you don’t want to live with Brett the rest of your life. An omega should have an alpha.

I don’t really like going out. I’m more of a home body. I set the screwdriver down, and got unsteadily to my feet. Avoiding his gaze, I said quietly, There’s only one gay bar in town, and to be honest, that whole scene makes my stomach hurt.

Oh, that’s right. You’re gay. He stood too, and approached, stopping a few feet away. I always forget that.

I squinted at him. You do?

It’s not stamped on your forehead.

I smiled in spite of myself. True.

I’m sure there are some nice… gay… alphas in town you could meet. If you put yourself out there.

Like I said, I’m not really looking. The personal nature of the conversation was making sweat bead on my upper lip. I didn’t really want to think about the future, or the fact I’d probably never find an alpha of my own.

Don’t you get lonely? He didn’t sound judgmental, he just sounded concerned.

Uh… His gaze was so intense, I felt very aware of my shirtless state. I hugged myself, avoiding his gaze. I can find hook ups when I need them. It was a bit surreal to be discussing my sex life with Cliff. We’d barely talked about the weather in the past, but now we were discussing how often I got laid?

Even in this little city?

I use Grindr. There are some alphas a few towns over that don’t mind a drive. We switch off traveling. It’s better than the bar scene.

His curious gaze held mine. I guess if driving was the only way I could get laid, I’d drive too.

It works out okay.

Are there no alphas locally who want more than just a hookup?

I grimaced. I… I don’t want more than that.

Oh, so it’s not that there aren’t any gay alphas around. You’re just not looking for a relationship.

Right. There are definitely some around. I raised my hands like I was a monster. Gays are everywhere.

He laughed. I guess so.

When he smiled, my stomach flip-flopped. He had the cutest dimples, and his teeth were perfect and white. God, he was really good looking. My knees felt kind of weak as I held his pretty, blue eyes with mine.

It’s nice talking to you. We never really get the chance, he said softly.

He enjoyed talking to me? That didn’t compute.

Hey. He raised his brows. Would you want to join me tonight?

What? I recoiled as if he’d suggested we go to a KKK meeting. I took two steps back. Join you?

Sure. It might be fun. It’s super chill; just drinks and some pool.

Oh, no. I… I don’t want to go.

Really?

I grimaced. You actually thought I would? Hadn’t I literally just told him I didn’t like to leave the house?

He lifted one shoulder. I guess I just thought it might be fun to hang out a little more. He laughed. It’s nice to actually talk with you. Usually you scurry out of the room the minute I arrive.

He enjoyed talking to me? How was this possible? Yeah, I don’t really… hang out.

He frowned. What about your Grindr hookups?

I ran a shaky hand across the back of my neck. We don’t talk that much. I avoided his gaze as my cheeks flooded with heat.

Oh.

Awkward.

I guess that makes sense. He sighed. What can I say? I enjoy talking to people. I like people.

I basically loathe most people.

Wait a minute. Brett told me you were employee of the month three times at your job. People who hate people don’t get employee of the month.

They do when there are only twenty employees in your department total, and half of them truly do suck.

He laughed. I’ve never seen this side of you. You’re funny.

Not really.

I think you are. He put his hands on his narrow hips. So you don’t want to come with me tonight, but you do play pool?

Sometimes.

And we’ve confirmed you are of legal drinking age. He smiled.

Yes. Although I’m kind of a lightweight.

His gaze dropped to my bare chest. He cleared his throat. Probably because you’re too thin. He flexed an impressive bicep. You have to have more body weight, if you really want to hold your liquor.

His comment gave me the perfect excuse to take in his broad shoulders, and muscular thighs. Judging by your muscle mass, you can drink like a fish?

He looked flattered. Impressed by my Adonis like physique?

I smiled hesitantly. You’re okay.

Hey, gay guys usually dig me.

I wasn’t sure what to make of how he was being. He’d never acted uptight like a lot of Brett’s jock friends, but I was definitely thrown by just how friendly he was being. That still didn’t mean I had any interest in hanging out with him or his buddies. He might be nice, but odds were his friends would be jerks who would bring out my worst traits.

I gestured to the screen door. I should really finish this.

He smiled, as if he got it. Okay. Maybe we can shoot pool some other time?

I avoided his gaze. "I’ll make sure Brett