“Do you want some cake?” I offered.
“I think I’d like it if everybody else joined us,” he admitted. Instead of stepping away, he moved closer so we were face to face. “I think this is probably the most settled I’ve ever felt on her birthday. That helped so much more than I expected it to. Thank you.”
“Thanks for being here with me, too,” I replied, giving him a soft smile as I stared up at him.
The moment shifted, heated slightly, and he started to lean forward before stumbling back. I thought he was about to kiss me, and god, I wanted him to, but not like this.
Not today.
I rushed past him, running into the house and calling out to the others to save us from ourselves.
“Who wants cake?”
I’d never seen hockey guys move so fast. Carb loading after a game was not unheard of.
I snagged extra plates from the kitchen, leaving the door open so they could follow us out.
Conrad was the first one to arrive, clapping Kieran on the shoulder and checking in. Kieran gave him a half smile. It was a lot better than it was this morning.
“Oh man, this looks amazing,” Mason said as he joined.
Kieran cleared his throat. “Lana made Gabriella a birthday cake,” he said, his voice no longer cracking. “I thought maybe we could celebrate together.”
“I love that plan,” Cade said as he sat down at the table. Lennon sat next to him, giving me a look that was confused but impressed.
I served slices of cake one by one, starting with Kieran. Nobody moved until he took the first bite. He grinned as he chewed, shaking his head.
“I’m so glad you moved in here. This is incredible.”
“Maybe we should have a cake every week,” Mason proposed.
“I’m sure the coach wouldlovethat,” I laughed. “But, I promise it’s not the only good thing I can make.”
“I’m already learning that, princess,” he said, giving me a wink.
No one spoke about the game or my exes. Kieran joined in on conversations as they made plans for the following week,because apparently they got their asses kicked out of a few practices and the next game.
The selfish part of me was ecstatic that I got to have them for a whole week. I hadn’t realized how much, in only a week, I’d come to depend on their presence. I might have to go to the arena to cook, but they would be home nearly every time I was.
The guys had showed up for me tonight. This was between us, because they knew I needed it, and not a soul outside of us and coach knew why.
No fanfare… just showing up. That’s all I ever wanted.
My brother’s words kept bouncing around in my head, warning me to take care of myself and be careful.
Yet, I wanted to throw caution to the wind and give these men a chance.
It went beyond scent compatibility. My defenses were falling, and I wanted to give in to the instincts I’d been suppressing for far too long.
I was a packless omega now. We’d never gone through with an official bonding ceremony or any paperwork. It was a clean break, and I didn’t owe my exes a damn thing.
More than anything, I owed myself happiness.
Chapter
Fifteen
Lana
