Thirteen
Rylan
The dining room was as gorgeous as the rest of the resort. Tables were draped in pressed, white linens, gold platters waited on each setting, even the centerpieces were works of art.
A sparkling gold and crystal chandelier hung above the tables and a grand piano rested in the corner where a man in a black suit was playing softly, adding to the ambiance.
Thank god Roxie and I let Kota talk us into all the outfits he picked out. He’d chosen a few formal outfits and now we knew why.
Roxie had her arm looped through mine, her delicate features reflected her excitement as she took it all in.
The hockey team was gathered around a giant table that was actually several tables pushed together to make one giant family-sized setup. Another thing Jeremiah Kingsford likely arranged. He was determined to make them friends.
Despite us sharing a room, Roxie hadn’t talked much since she found out that the coach was her scent-match.
He wasn’t mine, but it explained the contradictory feelings I had about him earlier.
“Roxie! Ry! Over here!” I went still at the nickname Kota screamed out. It had been a long time since anyone called me that.
“I guess they saved us seats,” Roxie said as she pulled me forward before I could run away.
Kota was already standing and pulling out two chairs for us. I don’t even think he had to think about it, the act was almost instinct.
“Thanks,” I said as I took my seat next to Roxie. Kota sat on her opposite side, Lach across from him. He picked up his conversation again before his voice cut off, sounding startled.
“What’s wrong, Greer?”
Wait. Greer?
My entire world stuttered to a halt for the second time that day as the familiar scent hit me. It was different. Wrong. The teakwood, bergamot, and pink peppercorn was familiar.
It was always woodsy and fresh and warm, a little spicy, with that electric sharpness to it.
Now it was charred and strange. A twisted version of the scent I thought I’d breathe in every day.
When I found the courage to look up, there he was across from me. His face was almost green and drained of all color. The delta looked ready to pass out and I wasn’t much better.
“Rylan.” My name on his lips was full of fear, as if he was seeing a ghost not an ex.
Like I was some sort of nightmare from his past.
“Rylan, what’s wrong?” Roxie asked. She was squeezing my arm, trying to coax me to look at her.
I turned to face my omega, begging her silently to save me from whatever hell I’d found myself in.
“It’s him.”
That was all she needed. Roxie’s mouth opened and closed as she turned to face me and then him, bouncing back and forth, as if the answers would simply appear before us.
“What’s going on?” Kota asked. His voice was quiet, as if he understood that something wasverywrong here.
Heavy footsteps shifted behind us, a hand landing on my shoulder.
“Greer, I’m glad you got a chance to meet him. This is the man that’s going to be in charge of your physical therapy for the foreseeable future.”
“Come again?” Greer choked out.
It hurt, but I wasn’t exactly thrilled to see him either. This was the man that I had once upon a time loved with my whole soul. His scent made me feel safe and loved. Back then, he would have battled anyone and everything for me.
