“Look,” he said, laughing nervously. “I just...” He stammered over the words, clearly, not sure what to say.
“Maybe it’s best if you go,” Greer bit out. He looked downright menacing here and Lincoln was quickly realizing he was outnumbered.
“Look, I would love the chance to talk. I know I don’t deserve it, but I’d like to learn more about you. Maybe I can explain a bit from my side. One dinner. You can walk out on me but just give me fifteen minutes?”
“I have plans tonight,” I bit out.
He reached into his suit jacket, pulling out a card and holding it out.
Greer snatched it, crumpling it in his hand as he glared at the alpha in front of me.
“Tomorrow, then?”
“There’s a game,” I said.
“Lunch, perhaps. The game doesn’t start until seven. I know. I have tickets.” He gave me that disarming smile like it would smooth all this over. He was, clearly, used to having easy fixes.
“I’ll consider it.” It was the best this asshole was getting from me. I wasn’t sure I could force myself through one-on-one time with him.
He let out a breath. “That’s all I can ask.”
“I’ll show up. If you don’t, I’ll understand. But I’d love to properly apologize and try to find a way to chat.”
That was all he said before backing away slowly. Greer was shooting daggers at him, teeth bared. My delta was ready to rip him apart.
“Simmer down, boy,” Kota said, clapping him on the arm.
Surprisingly, Greer didn’t snap at him. He closed his eyes and took a step back, calming himself down.
“You don’t have to go. Fuck that,” Rylan said.
“I’m going to need someone to fill me in,” Hayes said, shaking his head.
I’d mentioned my hangups about hockey to the others, but not him.
“He got my mom pregnant, and when he found out, he paid her one huge check to never have to deal with me. He signed his rights away and walked out the door. I’ve never met him. Never even seen him in person until now.”
I stumbled over my words. I’d been so panicked, then angry, and hurt, that it was taking a toll on me.
“Mom tore up that check and worked three jobs just to make ends meet. I was raised by a single omega because he was too big of a pussy to be a dad.”
“No,” Hayes said, shaking his head. That had Greer growling in warning. “Sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just... foryears we played together. Two separate times. He’s someone I’d consider a friend. Or at least I did.”
“I’m not going to tell you who to be friends with, but I certainly don’t have high expectations of that asshole,” I said.
“Are you going to go to lunch with him?” Kota asked carefully.
They were all looking at me like I was going to break down at any moment. I was caught off guard, but now all I felt was anger.
“You should consider it,” Hayes said carefully.
“Why?” I asked, looking at him and waiting for an explanation because right now I thought he’d lost his damn mind.
“In a year or two, do you think you’ll regret not going? If this is your one chance to get answers for yourself, don’t you want them?”
“I don’t know.” And that was the truth. I had no fucking idea.
I wasn’t sure if Hayes still had hope that my father wasn’t a complete fuckup or if he simply didn’t want me to have regrets.
