Page 56 of Never Bet Against A Hockey Player

“What is this place?”

“We’re going to answer that,” August promised, “but we need you to hear us out first, okay?”

“Okay...” I hedged, unsure why they were being so weird about it. My delta held out his hand and led me to the porch, gesturing for me to sit on the wooden swing there. The fact they were sitting me down didn’t help calm the curiosity or uncertainty.

“We know this might feel like we’re moving a bit fast, but we’re not asking for a commitment yet. Unless…” He trailed off making it clear that I knew he’d be thrilled if I did.

I swear this delta was a menace.

“Look, we’re trying to look out for you and Gavin here,” Lachlan said, getting to the point when the others didn’t. “Changes needed to be made in order to prove that you’d be a good candidate for custody.”

“Custody?” I was trying to keep myself together, but this entire conversation was about to send me into a spiral. “The courts would never give him to me. I’m just his sister, and she’s never had anything other than dismissed accusations.”

“No,” August agreed, “but those were still open cases. They’re on record and by multiple people. If anyone outside of her contact took a real look, she’d lose everything.”

“We found a lawyer,” Conrad added quickly. He was confident this time, not shy. He believed in what they were doing. “He’s the best we could find and is already on board. He thinks we can win but gave us a few things to improve while he builds the case.”

They had a lawyer. Something that would have been completely out of my reach without them. My omega was melting but my logical brain was still stuttering over all of this.

Lachlan crouched down in front of me, his hands wrapping around mine. At least he wasn’t acting like I was fragile, just holding on while he told me whatever came next.

“My brother is pretty good with computers. He dug into some information. It seems your mother has been in Vegas with some not-so-savory characters. She also just left Gavin with you for days without so much as a conversation. That’s abandonment.”

“The lawyer thinks we’ve got a fighting chance. I do, too. There’s a file inside for you to look over and I think you’ll agree,” August added.

“And the house is just... what? Our pack house?” I asked.

“It is,” Conrad confirmed. “We have to prove that you’re the better candidate. That you can provide a more stable home environment.”

“I mean... the electricity in our house hasn’t been shut off. Our mortgage is paid. There’s no way anyone’s going to believe this.”

“Firecracker, please,” August pleaded. “I need you to stop and listen to me. We have an amazing lawyer. One that she could never afford.” His expression turned serious. “I’m not the same boy she sent away. I’m not for sale like my shit father was. You have to know that.”

“We’ve got your back, Dhara. She’s not going to win this. It’s been your paychecks going to her pockets over and over and over again. She has no proper employment history.”

Each new piece of information ignited the fire in my chest, filling it with hope. They were giving me dreams of a future I’d never thought I could have.

Or at least not for a very long time.

“Don’t say anything yet,” Conrad pleaded, almost desperate for me to believe them. “Just let us show you inside first. Read the file.”

Those warm, brown eyes practically begged me to give in.

“Okay.” The word had barely left my mouth before all three of them were smiling down at me. August let out a whoop and tugged me up and around Lachlan. Conrad already had the door open for us to go inside.

“I can’t believe you guys bought me a house,” I said, shaking my head. “We all can acknowledge just how insane that sounds, right?”

“You mean how right that sounds?” Lachlan shot back. “We’re your pack and we’re not going anywhere. If you let us, we’re going to build a future that can provide for both of you.”

Warmth flooded my chest, the sting behind my eyes threatening to spill over. They were absolutely killing me here. I didn’t know how to handle this level of care.

“We couldn’t just bring you to an empty house,” Conrad admitted. “We may have paid someone to come decorate for us. If you hate it, we’ll change it.”

I wanted to tell them again how insane that was, but I kept it to myself this time as I walked into the open concept main level.

The interior designer had carried the beach theme inside. The hardwood floors were light and gleamed in the sunlight pouring through the oversized windows. The fixtures were brushed silver, the appliances stainless steel. Each reflected the light and soft blue walls just like the lake did.

It felt homey, just not lived in yet. A bit too staged but the bones were here and I knew with some effort it could be perfect.