Page 6 of Never Bet Against A Hockey Player

Gavin pushed open the door, and I quickly pulled him behind me, going in first as I always did.

He wanted to protect me, but I wouldn’t let him.

That wasn’t his job.

“Oh, look. It’s my ungrateful kids.” My mother’s voice echoed through the small house, raspy from far too many years of cigarettes.

Despite what a terrible person she was, she always looked put together well. Her clothes were always nice. Face perfectly done up with makeup.

She was pretty, and she knew it. After all, the types of alphas with money didn’t want an omega who didn’t care about her appearance.

“I was working, Mom,” I said. “You know Gavin has practice.”

Her lip curled, as it always did when one of us had something outside of her.

“I still don’t understand why you’re indulging him with that. He’s old enough to get a job.”

“He’s twelve,” I deadpanned once I saw him safely slip into his room. “Literally no one in the world would hire him.”

She narrowed her eyes at my tone. My exhaustion had taken away my filter. That was never good.

“Excuse me?” she growled, standing up and drawing her hand back.

The slap cracked across my face and I didn’t bother to stop it.

This was why I couldn’t let a pack in. Why I wouldn’t just run off into the sunset and leave Gavin to face this alone.

But I swore to myself, the moment Gavin was free from this place, I was beating this woman’s ass like she deserved.

Like I wish I could right now.

My hands curled into fists at my side as I bit down on my tongue and waited her out. Her smirk was firmly in place, knowing damn well I wouldn’t do a thing no matter how much I wanted to.

“Don’t touch me,” I said carefully.

“Or what?” she sneered, her hand raising again.

“Someday, you’re going to regret all the shit you’ve put us through. Especially when you’re too old for these alphas and all alone.”

“Bold of you to talk back when I could kick you out at any moment,” she snapped.

The fire was back in her expression, her anger flaring and stealing away some of her beauty. It was one of the few times she couldn’t hide her true nature.

Nadia Livingston was pissed.

But so was I.

I was so angry that she was here stealing another thing from me. I’d found a scent-match but I couldn’t form a pack while I was stuck here.

Yet another thing she’d taken ruthlessly from my life with no remorse, as if I owed her something for being born.

“Well, did you earn me anything at that little job of yours?” Her hand lowered and she went to her purse, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it.

“Of course, I earned something, but they’re not just going to hand me a check each night. I get paid every Friday. We still have days to go.” It’s not like this wasn’t a conversation we’d had multiple times since I started. It wasn’t like the diner where she could steal my tips. If I didn’t leave some in my locker at work I’d have nothing left.

“You better not hide a fucking cent from me, you little leech,” she bit out.

“I’m not handing over my entire paycheck to you, Nadia,” I warned, refusing to budge on this. She was already furious, and I was testing my luck, but I couldn’t stand the thought of doing this anymore.