Page 21 of Never Bet Against A Hockey Player

I shrugged, trying to play it off like it was no big deal.

“He just needed some extra patience,” I said easily.

Coach snorted. “Patience doesn’t teach skill. You’re good with them. I hope you plan to stick around. I know the older players like to stick the rookies with the kids, but every once in a while I find someone who’s good with them. You keep this up, and you might even get the title of assistant coach out here with the juniors. It can go a long way post-retirement.”

He pointed out something I’d never even considered before. Maybe things were going to change, here.

Instead of heading into the locker room, I sat on the bench, took off my skates, and went straight for my omega.

Evans and Flynn were trying to talk to her, but it didn’t take long before they were walking away with their tails tucked between their legs.

My girl wasn’t giving them the time of day, and as satisfying as that was to watch, I couldn’t help but wonder why.

She perked up when I walked up, and then guilt flashed across her face.

“Firecracker,” I said as I took a seat, not bothering to make a show of it.

I had a feeling she needed me to treat her normally. This felt easier anyway.

It was just me and my Firecracker. The girl that I once imagined I could spend my life with.

The same one I was dragged away from.

“I never thought I’d see you again,” she managed to get out, not looking at me. Maybe that made it easier for her to handle this conversation.

“I hoped like hell I’d see you again,” I countered.

“A few years later I found out that Mom arranged it all. That job your dad got that he couldn’t refuse? All her. She was the reason you went away.”

“I found that out, too,” I admitted, “but not until about two years ago.”

“What were they so damn afraid of?” she bit out, blinking her eyes rapidly to clear the angry tears.

“Losing control over us, if I had to guess.”

She shook her head in disgust, but we both knew it was true.

“She still has control over me,” she said bitterly.

“We’ll fix that. You just have to let me in, Firecracker. You know I never would’ve left if I’d known. If I’d had any control back then, I’d always have been here for you.”

The look she gave me was full of sadness and desperation. How long had it been since she’d had anyone to rely on?

“You can tell me what’s going on. Then you can tell me why you’re giving those poor boys hell,” I said, trying to lighten the mood.

Dhara let out a shaky breath and looked up, those icy blue eyes breaking my heart.

“I can’t be anyone’s omega, August. My life isn’t cut out for that. I barely have a scent anymore. I don’t have heats. My suppressants are all fucked up. With my schedule, working two jobs and keeping Gavin out of Mom’s hands, I couldn’t give them the kind of attention they’d want.”

Then her cheeks stained red, and I had to know why.

“What’s that about?” I teased, running my finger over her heated flesh.

She shuddered under the touch.

The way her eyes closed had my delta raging against my control. My omega wasn’t just guarded, she was touch-starved.

Desperate, yet reluctant at the same time.