Page 17 of Never Bet Against A Hockey Player

“They are, but that doesn’t mean we’re in a relationship,” I said quickly.

“Why not? They’re successful and Conrad seems nice,” he argued. Of course, he’s not going to let this go. His sister is scent-matched with his hockey idol.

“Because I’m not exactly a catch, Gavin,” I said on a sigh. “Our life is complicated and I won’t leave you. So, don’t interfere.”

“You can leave, Dhara,” he said quietly. “I’m older now. She can’t do anything.”

“You’re a minor for six more years,” I said. My stomach churned. This wasn’t a conversation I wanted to have when I felt like garbage. “She could take you away from here. I know you don’t want me to have to do this, but I need to. I want to. I won’t let her put you through anything else.”

“She hits you,” he said as he glared down at his plate, blinking his eyes a few times.

“I can handle it.” So she doesn’t hit you was left unsaid.

Maybe I wasn’t handling our situation the best that I could, but what choice did I have? Every wrong move was a risk that she’d rip this all away. The authorities didn’t give a fuck.

It was us against the world. Same as it had always been.

The one time I let someone in he made sure to fuck it up. My neighbor during high school was a delta that always made sure I felt seen. I’d spent years making myself invisible and day one of living next to me he saw me and pulled me right into his orbit.

He was rough around the edges, the kind of boy most parents warned against, but he was my best friend.

While it lasted.

He and his dad made it as our neighbor for six months before we became inseparable, and then they moved away. Mom had literally locked me inside while they moved and I found out years later he tried to see me.

She threw it in my face and laughed when I was hurt. Told me she used one of her sketchy connections to land him a job states away.

Just like that I was invisible again.

It hurt too much and for too long to ever let anyone like that in again.

We were friends, until we crossed that line. He was my one and only love, even if it never had a chance to get very deep. I had found my peace with that.

Conrad and Lachlan were amazing, but if I gave her a chance, they’d be gone, too.

It was safest this way. Alone and focused on what mattered.

The mood was ruined after that conversation so we finished in silence before heading for the arena. He had practice and I had a job to do after.

Gavin shoved into the doors and disappeared inside, his entire demeanor angry at the world. I hoped he managed to get out of his head before practice.

Knowing I was in for a wait I settled into the bleachers with the parents, tucking myself in the back behind some tall dads that I hoped blocked me from view. Conrad and Lachlan were supposed to be here tonight and I didn’t think I could handle another encounter.

My suppressors were wearing off or clearly not working, my scent a mess, my head even messier, and my emotions were haywire.

The boys skated out onto the ice. The coach and assistant coaches, aka the real AHA Renegades he recruited to help, were there to greet them.

They always huddled together and I couldn’t help but study the two men who were already by Gavin’s side.

Conrad glanced over the crowd with a frown, his handsome face more stoic tonight than it’d been the last two encounters. Guilt bubbled up at that. I’d been the one to cause that.

Lachlan refused to look over. His body was tense and he seemed to hang back while the others interacted with the kids more.

My lip was practically raw where I was chewing on it. This whole thing had my insides twisting and I wished this was a different world.

A different life.

What I said to Gavin was true. They didn’t want me. I was an omega who’d been on suppressors since she presented, had a preteen to take care of, a witch of a mother to keep happy, and worked too many jobs.