Page 30 of Hidden Fates

“But you guys were doing so well. You were on the rise to fame. Exactly what you dreamed of.”

Sitting my coffee cup on the counter, I cross the room in three large strides and cup her face, thumb brushing along her cheek. “Fame was never what I was chasing. I was running. Afraid that you’d meet your Fate-matched mates and toss me aside.”

“That would have never happened.” The skin between her brows pinches, and I soothe it with my finger.

“Yeah, I’m a dumbass. One who doesn’t deserve you, but wants to own you, regardless.” She sucks in a breath, perfume flooding the air in dizzying waves. I lean in and brush my lips against the corner of hers before I force myself to step back. “Only if you and your pack want me here.”

She frowns, fingers reaching toward me. I catch them and press a kiss to their tips before returning to the counter to rinse my cup. “Talk to your mates, bunny.”

I hate the sadness in her eyes as I gather my jacket and leave, but it’s only temporary. She needs time to sort things out with her bonded mates, and I refuse to force myself into their pack.

Feeling like an outsider already sucks with Matt, Joey, and Lee. I wouldn’t be able to handle it with Skye and her mates.

Sweat soaks my back as I cool off between sets. Working out is a hobby I picked up a few years after leaving Skye. The aches in my body help to chase the demons away.

Most of the time.

Noise from the lobby draws my attention, and I’m surprised to find Bellamy chatting with the owner at the desk. He must feel eyes on him because he turns. His wide, blinding smile makes my heart race, and I rub my chest.

“Hey. Didn’t know you go to this gym.”

Wiping my face with my shirt, I explain I’ve been a member here since the end of the summer. “It’s been nice. Everyone’s pretty chill. And I didn’t have to sell my soul for a membership that guarantees respect for my privacy.”

His tongue darts across his bottom lip, eyes glued to my abs. Heat flares across his face before he shakes his head and focuses on pulling his long, yellow-blonde hair into a bun.

My cock twitches beneath his perusal and I shift on my feet to hide how weird I feel getting hard in front of him.

“Sounds like I picked the best place. You still running a circuit, or are you getting ready to head out?” Bellamy asks, moving to the mats to stretch. He’s dressed similarly to me. Gym shoes, cut-off shirt, and shorts. The only difference is his shorts are fucking short. Like if he moves wrong, his balls might slip out and give the room a show.

Why is that hot?

Wait, where the hell is my head right now?

“I was going to go run on the track out back or join a pickup game to cool off,” I explain, carefully keeping my eyes anywhere but on him.

Excitement shines in his baby blue eyes, and happiness swells in his earthy, woodsy scent, which is lovelier than I want to admit. “Basketball? We can go one-on-one. I’ll try to take it easy on you. For the first round.”

Scoffing, I grab my water bottle and step around him, heading toward the outdoor area. “Good luck. I’ve been playing since middle school.”

Bellamy’s laughter lightens the weight on my shoulders. He’s so easy to be around. I noticed it that night at the club, and again at Skye’s party last night. Being friends with him will be easy, a thought that gives me hope about fitting into their pack.

The chill in the air does nothing to quell the heat in my body as Bellamy and I play. Heavy breathing and the scuff of our shoes fill the air. When his arm brushes mine or he gets in my face to defend, I feel my pulse hammer in response.

That has to be coming from Skye. Right?

He smacks the ball out of my hand, taking advantage of my moment of distraction. “Who needs luck when they have skill.”

His taunt has me clenching my jaw, and my cock semi-hard in my shorts. We’ve been playing for half an hour, neither of us ready to give up.

“It is luck,” I comment as he takes a shot but hits the rim instead of making the basket.

He gives me a lopsided grin, grabbing the ball and dribbling toward me. His phone ringing from the sidelines brings our game to a halt.

I guess our time here is up.

“Gotta head home. Catch you next time, dude. I’ll bring Onyx and Sterling so we can play 2v2. You’re on my team.”

Shaking my head, I wave him off and head toward the track to cool down. Today was fun. More fun than I’ve had off the stage in… years.