I fucking loved that feeling. This was why I started doing nutrition in the first place, first for my dads, then Conrad, and now them.
“I know it’s bad taste to bring up those assholes again,” Kieran said, giving me a serious look. “But they lost out. This is incredible.” He shook his now-empty container. “I think this is the freshest food I’ve had in a while.”
“We’re way too fucking busy to be doing this for ourselves,” Conrad said. “We definitely needed this.”
I’d only been here a short time, and I already knew he wasn’t exaggerating. Their coach was far more strict than North Crossing’s. Or at least, what I’d known of North Crossing.
The Wardens’ coach had early morning practices and frequent visits with their physios and team doctors. He took their health seriously, but he also worked them just as hard. They were top in the league for a reason.
“This is really good,” Lennon said as he put his bowl in the sink. I noticed his bottle was empty as well. “Thanks.”
High praise from the grumpy delta.
“Wait,” Kieran said, gesturing to the food. “Are you going to eat?”
I waved him off. “I will after I clean a bit.”
“If you think we’re going to let you clean up after you made all this, you’ve lost your mind,” Conrad said.
I knew he’d say that, so I bit back my reply and made myself a much smaller bowl.
“So, we’re all in agreement, right?” Mason said, looking at the others, then down at his food. “That we have to talk to coach and get her on board.”
Conrad threw up his hands. “I’ve been saying that for a week.”
He turned to me and flashed me a grin that was pure trouble.
“Which is why I set up an interview for tomorrow at noon. I hope you’re ready, sis.”
Chapter
Eleven
Lana
The Warden Arena was intimidating this time around. I’d been here a hundred times before. Hell, I’d watched my dads play here as a kid. It should have been familiar, but there was a different coach in the office, and this was a job interview.
One I didn’t even set up myself. Part of me was grateful that Conrad had gone out of his way to do it; the other part was nervous, and I felt pitiful. I should’ve been able to handle this on my own. I felt like somebody was always taking care of me now.
“You’re going to do fine,” Kieran promised. He and Cade had walked me up here since Conrad had an appointment with the physio. We only had today’s practice before the big game with North Crossing, and I had a feeling my brother wanted to be as comfortable as possible so he could take it out on them.
I just hoped half the entire starting lineup didn’t end up in the penalty box over and over again.
“Maybe this will be good,” Cade offered. “Plus, then you’ll have a reason to follow us to the games, and you don’t have to feel awkward or like we’re kidnapping you every time.”
“I think it’s funny you guys thought you were going to be able to take me to every away game with you. I would’ve been fine. It’s a different kind of alone now. I know you guys are coming back. With them, I didn’t.”
They tensed next to me at the mention of my exes, but nobody commented, which was how I preferred it.
“It’s time,” Kieran said gently.
“Thanks for bringing me,” I said, giving them a quick smile before raising my hand and knocking on the coach’s door. We hadn’t formally met, and I wasn’t sure what he knew of my past or my connections with the other team, but I hoped it didn’t hurt my chances.
The more I thought about it, the more I wanted this job. I needed a purpose.
I’d let myself get wrapped up in a pack before. Let them convince me to stay at home so I was available to join them when they needed me. They gave me the money, the car, all the resources I needed to do it.
I simply couldn’t handle it anymore. We’d grown apart and I was no longer the omega for them.
