AllFreeNovel
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Back inside the rec center, one of my new library books tucked under my arm, I smile hello at my coworkers as I head to my office, though I don't stay in there long before I return to the main room. I don't want to miss the lovely beta and her child when they come in to sign up for basketball.
I'm sure it'll be fine.
I grin at Jason, clapping him on the back as I join him at the front desk. "Hey, man. How's it going?"
His answering grin is strained. "Ready for my shift to be over."
"Already?"
Jason sighs. "It's been a long week. The first week of school is always crazy as parents sign their kids up for all the after school programs."
He's not wrong, but I love it when it's busy and bustling in here, kids swarming the place.
"We should have another mom coming in today to sign her kid up for basketball. I'll handle getting them signed up though since I sort of recruited them."
I almost believe my own bullshit.
Jason groans. "Basketball is popular this year. Last year everyone wanted to play soccer."
My face twists. "I'm glad it's switched. Soccer is not my favorite."
Jason nods in agreement. "Your footwork is shit, man."
I flick him off. "At least I can keep possession of the ball."
He scowls. "You're such a shit."
I shrug, unrepentant. "You started it."
Jason side-eyes me. "So this mom..?"
I curse, grabbing a pile of papers to sort through. "Don't start."
"What? You had a look when you mentioned her. You've dated nothing but your precious books for months now. It's been almost a year. Don't you think it's time?"
"You know that bullshit about alphas going feral without an omega is just that, right? Bullshit."
"I know. And if I thought you were happy alone, I'd leave you be." Jason hesitates. "But you seem lonely."
Thankfully, I'm saved from having to reply by the door opening and Moira stepping inside, a small hand clutched in her hand as she leads her daughter in our direction.
The beta shoots me a nervous smile as she approaches, her daughter bouncing at her side. Jason smacks my back as he rises and heads towards the back, leaving me alone with them.
Wanting to put her at ease, I keep things professional and focus on her kid. "Glad you could make it, Moira. I take it this is your daughter?"
She nods, her spicy lavender scent muted. “Yeah, this is Lexie.”
"Hey there, Lexie. I'm Hendrix. I hear you want to play basketball."
She nods with so much enthusiasm it shakes her whole body. "I do. I really like shooting baskets."
I flash her a grin. “That's great. How about the two of you come sit down and we can go over our programs for the year and we'll get you signed up on a team?"
I sit with Moira and Lexie, passing across flyers and brochures with all we have to offer here.
Before long, Lexie is signed up to one of my basketball teams and a chess club. And the pretty beta has relaxed, no longer eyeing me like I might leap across the desk and attack her. Knowing she's skittish for a reason, I want to track down every single alpha who has made her feel that way and at the same time a purr rumbles in my chest, happy she's growing more at ease with me.
"Are all these things free?" Moira asks once we're wrapping up.
