Page 119 of Never Bet Against A Hockey Player

I found myself falling into the rhythm of it. Despite my worries, I enjoyed hanging out with Katrina. This felt like a taste of the ‘normal life’ I’d been looking for, and I was enjoying being independent from the pack.

It felt like I lived several different lives. I was Dhara, who took care of her brother. Then I was Dhara, learning to be an omega for a pack. But here, right now, hanging out and chatting with a new friend, I simply felt like myself.

Like I didn’t need anyone to hold my hand or watch over me. I didn’t have to fight for my life. I simply got to exist with someone else.

Maybe this was what moving on felt like.

Chapter

Thirty-Three

Dhara

“There’s my girl,” Frankie said as he scooted into his booth, looking genuinely pleased that I was working today.

“Hey there. I missed my morning crowd. I couldn’t stay away.”

I gave him a wink that had the old man chuckling. He glanced toward the back and then frowned.

“Wait... where’s your protector?”

“Actually, I found a pack, and he’s with them right now. He doesn’t have to come in every day. They’ll get him to school.”

Frankie’s eyes softened, looking more like a grandfather than the old flirt he was usually good for.

“Good for you, kid. You deserve some happiness.”

“Thanks,” I said as I flipped his mug over and poured him a steaming cup of coffee that I knew he’d be wanting.

A fresh wave of customers walked in the door, so I said a quick goodbye to Frankie before putting his order in with Max. Then I fell into the easy comfort of work.

Busy mornings were always my favorite. I may be running around like crazy, but the tips were good, the customers were fun, and I liked staying busy. It made the day fly by.

“Here, woman. Hydrate,” Lydia said, sliding a water my way.

“Thanks,” I said quickly, sucking down half the cup before putting it in my usual spot to keep it safe.

We had finally hit a lull in customers.

“Why don’t you put in your breakfast, now? You know it’s on the house.”

I started to protest out of habit, and she crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at me.

“I let you get away with lying to me that you’d already eaten breakfast every day because I knew you wouldn’t accept it if I said it was fine. But Gavin isn’t here. He’s probably having a nice meal with that pack of yours, so how about you tell me what to put in for you?”

My cheeks flushed. “You knew I was lying?”

She rolled her eyes. “Of course, I knew you were lying. I know you like my own sister. But this is part of the perks of working here. We all get our meals, and I’ll be damned if my girl goes hungry.”

“Okay, okay. But I can put my own order in.”

“By all means,” she said, waving me toward Max before raising her voice so he could hear. “She’s putting in an order, Max. Make sure my girl eats.”

“About fucking time,” Max grumbled. “Gavin’s not here for you to shove your breakfast onto. You have to eat it yourself.”

I huffed out a laugh. They were impossible. Sweet, but infuriating in a way only family could be.

I went around and did a few refills, making sure everybody had what they needed before Lydia took over.