“That sounds perfect.”
He kissed me one last time before pulling me through the admin hall toward his office. It was the only other way in, outside of the locker room, and I didn’t think any of them would appreciate me showing up in a locker room full of half-naked or fully naked deltas and alphas.
“Hayes,” a deep voice called out as soon as we rounded the corner. We both turned around to see who was calling. The moment my eyes landed on the alpha waiting outside of his office, all the color drained from my face.
My breath caught in my throat and suddenly it felt impossible to take in a normal breath. My panic was so strong I squeezed Hayes’s hand, desperate for him to help.
A burst of panic from Rylan and Greer surged through the bond, but I couldn’t even manage to send reassurance back.
The man had no idea who I was. That much was clear as he walked up. Even though his eyes were focused on Hayes, he shotme a few curious glances and raised his eyebrows at our joined hands.
“Looks like someone found himself an omega,” the man joked, letting out a booming laugh. He was the kind of guy who spoke and made sure everyone was paying attention.
“Yes. This is Roxie.” Hayes glanced down at me as if he was just catching on that I was absolutely losing it. “Roxie, what’s wrong?”
He looked at the man in front of me who just looked lost, not shocked or confused.
This asshole didn’t even know my name.
“Do you know him?” Hayes asked, leaning closer and trying to get me to focus on him.
“Yeah,” I managed to choke out.
“Oh, are you a fan?” he asked, giving me the charming smile that I’m sure worked on a number of puck bunnies back in his day.
Hell, it worked on Mom.
“No.” My voice was sharp this time and it pulled me out of my panic so I could finally suck in a desperate breath. “In fact, you’re the reason I’ve hated hockey until recently.”
I glanced at Hayes as if begging him to understand. He was still clueless.
The door to the locker room burst open. My two deltas and omega came charging out, searching frantically for me. They turned our way and immediately rushed over.
Greer was already growling at my sperm donor, who stepped back and held up his hands to ward him off.
“Who is this?” Greer demanded. “What did you do to her?”
My father laughed nervously, holding up his hands. “You’ve got me at a little bit of a disadvantage here. I havenoidea what’s going on.”
“Who is he, Roxie?” Rylan demanded.
“She said I’m the reason she hates hockey. I don’t know what I did to her.” Now my father was getting defensive. Asshole.
Rylan snapped toward him so fast his eyes narrowed. Because he understoodexactlywhat that reference meant.
“You’re so fucking out of touch that you don’t know what your own daughter looks like?”
“Oh god,” Kota breathed out, moving closer. He stepped up behind me, pressing his hand to my lower back, the warmth seeping into my skin.
Greer looked ready to pick me up and run but settled for taking my hand in his.
“This is your father?” Hayes choked out. He looked startled, horrified, and completely confused.
“You can’t call him my father.” I laughed bitterly. “In fact, I’ve never met him until now.”
Lincoln Anderson’s face went pale. His smile finally vanished and a dozen emotions danced across his face.
Regret wasn’t one of them.
