Page 49 of Never Bet Against A Hockey Player

“I’ll be honest, I walked around that mall for two hours trying to figure out something that would make sense for you, and I realized we really don’t know enough about each other yet, so I found something that reminded me of you.”

He opened it, revealing a thin rose-gold bracelet. It was delicate and understated, but so gorgeous.

“Lachlan,” I breathed, my fingers brushing over the shining metal. “Are you sure?”

His blue eyes locked onto mine. “Of course, I’m sure. And I know that your life is a little complicated.” He skirted around the real elephant in the room. “So, I understand if you aren’t wearing it every time you see me.”

“I generally dress in hoodies,” I admitted. “She doesn’t have to see it for me to wear it. It’s beautiful, Lachlan. Thank you. This is the nicest gift anyone has ever gotten for me. The only one, really.”

His eyes drifted closed for a beat as if he had to swallow down the pain of that statement. I didn’t want to dull down the truth and sometimes those comments slipped free.

“You deserve so much more than this. Someday, we’ll be able to show you that. Until then, we’re all just trying to make sure that you and Gavin are both taken care of,” he promised in a low, husky voice that was full of emotion.

He pulled the bracelet from the case and slid it over my wrist, fastening it into place with a small smile on his lips.

“It looks perfect on you,” he said, looking adorably pleased with himself.

“Thank you, Delta.” I couldn’t help but thank him again.

“Thank you for giving me this chance,” he said in a husky whisper, like this moment meant just as much to him as it did to me. “You and Gavin already mean the world to me, and I want you to feel comfortable reaching out to us. We’re here for you. No matter what you need or what time of day it is. We’re yours, omega.”

The urge to be closer to him had me leaning forward and brushing a kiss over his lips.

It was a little clunkier than I would have liked, but he lit up for me again. That unguarded smile was quickly becoming one of my favorite things about him.

“Now come on. Let’s go race,” I said, pulling him toward one of the motorcycle racing games and hopping on.

He didn’t hesitate to join me, swiping the new card for each of us. Just like he had with Gavin, he teased me relentlessly as we both tried to distract each other.

I leaned over and put my hand in front of his eyes, making him swerve, and then cracked up. It felt so good to simply laugh, to not wonder who was watching or be afraid that he was getting too close.

For the first time in far too long, I was simply living in the moment.

When our name was called over the speaker, Lachlan led me back to the table. Gavin rushed toward us, his face flushed and a huge smile on his face.

“This place is awesome,” he said as he dropped into his chair. “Jace has two brothers. They’re two years older than us, but they were fun. They didn’t seem to mind hanging out with us, either.”

“I’m glad you ran into him.” I was more than a little relieved that my brother had friends. I feared that he was a little too much like me.

Our life was complicated, and it was hard to let people in.

“So, I don’t know Coach very well,” Lachlan said. “How do you like him, Gavin?”

That sent my brother off on another tangent, both of them talking about things I could barely follow because I didn’t know enough about hockey, but I didn’t mind simply listening to them.

I could almost picture what it would really be like to have a pack. One where her opinions didn’t matter and Gavin was with us.

It was the life they were promising and if they were somehow able to get past the obstacle my mother presented, we could have this every day. Maybe not adventures and dates, but normal life spent without fear or pain.

That thought alone sent a rush of warmth through me. Lachlan must have sensed it. He looked up, giving me a secret smile and wink before turning his attention back to my brother.

The fact that he had asked us both here and made sure I knew they saw not just me, but Gavin, too, had hope dangerously burrowing into my chest. It whispered about all the things I had always wanted but never allowed myself to consider.

I already felt more alive in the short time I’d known them than I had in my entire life.

I wanted to hold on to that feeling and never let it go.

Chapter