Page 75 of Never Bet Against A Hockey Player

My control was failing me a little more every day. I was terrified I’d run to him.

And for now, things were tense, but calm. Mom hadn’t touched me once since that night.

Maybe because I’d become exactly as she wanted. There wasn’t any fight left in me. She’d won for now.

“Order up!” Max called from the kitchen, ringing the bell. I jolted at the sudden noise but hurried back to grab my mother’s plate.

He gave me a long, loaded look. Anger built up more each day he was forced to watch this. They were the only people left who truly saw the hell I was living in.

“Thanks, Max.”

I carried the plate over to my mother’s booth. She greeted me with a smug smile as I set it down in front of her alongside a handful of extra napkins.

Her drink was empty and she shook it, the ice clinking against the glass mockingly.

Like a robot, I picked it up, refilled it, and returned it.

As I turned to leave, icy fingers wrapped around my wrist.

“What kind of service is this?” she demanded. She was smiling, but every word dripped in venom. It was quiet enough the words were just for me, anyone watching would see the smile.

“I apologize, ma’am. Can I get you anything else?” I sounded like a damn robot. But that’s what she wanted.

The satisfaction in her eyes was unmistakable as she studied my empty expression. “That’ll be all.”

She finally released me. Not before dragging her nails across my skin. The sting was enough motivation to keep walking.

“Hey.” Lydia caught my attention. “Can you grab some more napkins from the back?”

I nodded and headed for the storage room. She followed right behind me.

“What?” I asked quietly once we were alone.

“I needed straws.” She looked around for a second before grabbing a handful off the shelf.

“I’m okay, Lydia.” The lie slipped out far too easily these days.

“Can we pretend you’re not lying to me for just one minute?” I sighed. What else could I say to that? She must have seen the defeat and held up her hands in defense. “I just wanted to tell you something. Gavin’s teacher came in for breakfast this morning. I would’ve told you earlier, but that witch was glued to your side the second you walked in.”

“How do you know she’s Gavin’s teacher?” I whispered, worry slamming into me and bringing my emotions back online.

“She was talking with another teacher. They were discussing students like they always do. They usually don’t use names, but I happened to hear Gavin’s.” She shrugged. “You know I live for gossip, so I was already listening.”

“What did they say?” I was almost terrified to hear her answer.

“His grades have dropped. Bad. And they’ve noticed a huge change in his behavior. Let’s just say, they’re officially concerned. They’ve already started talking to the school counselor, but she can’t get anything out of him.”

My heart clenched. Someone else outside of my pack was fighting for him. This was huge.

“I’m not stupid, Dhara.” Lydia crossed her arms and stared me down. “I know that pack is building a case against your mother. They still come in every morning looking for you. Do you want me to tell them about this so they can add it to their case?”

“Yes.” The word barely escaped me before I was fighting off tears. Just thinking about them hurt.

Far too much.

“Good.” She smiled. “Because I was going to anyway.”

A strangled laugh bubbled out of me and her expression softened.