Page 48 of Never Bet Against A Hockey Player

He was the steady force in the pack and I knew that would be a blessing when we finally figured out how to make this all work.

Jason came back with our drinks, and I took a few sips as Lachlan gave him his order and encouraged Gavin to get whatever he wanted.

Once Jason finally turned his attention to me, I added mine.

“Good choice,” the beta said. “You might want to consider some extra breadsticks. They’re fantastic and my one weakness.”

“Go ahead and add them. I don’t turn down carbs,” Lachlan said before I had the chance.

“And here’s your game card,” Jason said after writing down the last of our order, sliding it toward Lachlan.

The delta turned toward my brother. “Game on, kiddo. Let’s see what you’re made of.”

Just like that, my brother was jumping out of his chair. We both had to rush to keep up with him as he ran ahead, his head swiveling back and forth. He eyed all the games one by one before finally picking a zombie shooting game.

Lachlan swiped the card. It had enough spots for all three of us to join. I was a terrible shot, but just hearing them goad each other back and forth, each trying to distract the other so they could win, had me loving every second of it.

“Alright, lady’s choice now,” Lachlan said when it was over.

“Maybe it’s lame, but I absolutely love skee-ball.”

“That’s one of my favorites, too,” Lachlan said with a soft smile. The one that was just for me. “Can’t beat the classics sometimes.”

He swiped the card three times at the different lanes, putting Gavin between us.

“I’m going to kick your butt this time,” I teased my brother.

He narrowed his eyes at me, but he was practically radiating happiness as he started to throw, which worked against him because he missed the first couple.

I took a deep breath before rolling the ball up the lane, letting out a little cheer when it landed in the highest point bracket.

“Hell, yeah, gorgeous!” Lachlan cheered, forgetting his own game as he rooted me on.

It was nowhere near as impressive as winning hockey games, but I was loving the attention, which surprised the hell out of me.

Without any sort of expectations on the table, it was simply us existing together. I was content and eager to know more without my own mind working against me.

Anxiety was a bitch.

“Gavin!” a kid’s voice rang out. My brother turned, a smile lighting up his face.

“Jace!” he greeted, waving at his friend before turning to us. “Do you mind if I go play a few rounds with him? He’s in my class.”

“Have at it, buddy,” Lachlan said, handing over the card. “There’s enough on there to cover you both if he runs out of points.”

“Thank you,” he said emphatically before he was off, running through the crowd.

“Do you want to play some more games? I can get a second card,” Lachlan said.

“That could be fun. They haven’t called us yet.”

He held out a hand between us, palm up, silently asking if I wanted to hold it. It was so adorably sweet that I couldn’t resist sliding my palm against his. Our fingers wrapped together, his pine, blackberry, and fresh rain scent was even more intoxicating than it had been before.

My scent perfumed around us, and suddenly the air between us was charged.

My delta didn’t draw attention to it. He simply tugged me toward the kiosk and got us another card. I liked that he quietly took charge and was always reassuring me. His attention was on me at all times when we were together. There were no doubts that he was right where he wanted to be.

“I actually had something I wanted to give you,” he said as we walked away, pulling out a thin box. It was small, and my eyes widened as I recognized the name of a popular jewelry store on top.