Page 128 of Never Bet Against A Hockey Player

“Well, since my delta is so rude, I’m Roxie,” she said with a little wave. “That’s Kota, Lachlan’s best friend. My alpha, Hayes,” she said, pointing to the older man with them. “Then my omega Rylan, our other delta, Greer... and bringing up the rear is Chorizo.”

As if that was all he was waiting for, a giant fluffball burst past them.

“A dog!” Gavin screamed. The dog launched himself at him, rushing forward in a flurry of kisses and practically tackling my laughing brother who fell on his butt.

I’d never in my life witnessed him laughing so hard or so freely.

“Well, I think Chorizo made a new friend,” Roxie said.

She approached us with the other omega, Rylan, right there with her, both laughing as they watched my brother wipe slobber from his face.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Rylan said. “I’m assuming you’re Dhara?”

“I am,” I confirmed, shaking his hand.

Lachlan came to stand beside me, his chest practically puffed out.

“This is my omega.” He smiled down at me before patting Kota on the shoulder. “This man got me through some tough times. This is my best friend.”

“The best friend you abandoned,” Kota shot back. He didn’t look upset. In fact, he looked around before instinctively wrapping an arm around his omega. “Nice place you got here for yourselves, Evans.”

“Thanks,” Lachlan said as he glanced around. They’d really brought the house together over the last few months.

Now that introductions were over everyone started to branch off. Gavin and Chorizo ran around while the guys chatted and Roxie settled at the table with me and Lana. Lach grabbed her a lemonade as well.

“Okay, now that introductions are over, I’m starving,” Roxie declared. “And something smells incredible. I swear these twins are eating constantly.”

“Twins?” I asked. They were both glowing. It almost made me want to consider pregnancy someday. But I’d spent all my life caring for someone, I selfishly didn’t want to share them with anyone other than Gavin now.

“Yes,” she grinned.

“She just had to show me up,” Lana teased. “You wouldn’t know I was two months farther than she is.”

Roxie rolled her eyes. “We can trade swollen ankles.”

“Nah, I’m good,” Lana snorted. She rubbed her belly again. “You know what, I’m starving, too.”

I looked over to see how food was coming along to see August putting the meat on a big platter. “You’re in luck. I think August is almost done.”

“Thank god,” Roxie said before her eyes locked in on me. “So, tell me everything about you. I’ve only heard a few bits and pieces and men are terrible at getting the details.”

Lana playfully shoved her friend. “Cool it with the reporter bullshit.”

Roxie winced and gave me an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I’m just excited and it’s hard to remember to be human.”

“It’s okay,” I said. “But there’s not much to tell. I was raising myself and learning how not to get in the way the moment I was old enough, then taking care of and protecting Gavin when he came along. There wasn’t much else other than surviving and work.”

“A blank slate,” Roxie mused. “I think we need to add some omega adventures to our to-do list, Lana.”

“Oh, definitely,” Lana agreed. “Was the nest here your first one?”

The questions were a bit more personal than I was used to, but with them, it didn’t feel judgmental. They were curious and getting to know me.

“It is. Lachlan actually put it together for me, then when Gav and I moved in they took us shopping and I added some of my own touches. I even figured out my favorite color is green.”

My cheeks flamed at admitting that out loud but both girls were smiling.

“I love that,” Lana said. The sincerity in her voice had my chest aching. I already knew I could trust them both.