Page 76 of Never Bet Against A Hockey Player

“Is there anything I can do for you? It’s killing all of us seeing you like this.”

“I just have to tough it out, Lydia. It’ll get easier with time. You know she won’t be able to hover like this for long.”

“Your pack is making sure she won’t.” She reached over and cupped my cheek.

My eyes fluttered closed as I leaned into the warmth of her hand. I was so touch-starved that even this tiny bit of affection eased something inside me.

My omega had all but disappeared. I’d never felt so isolated. So alone.

Exactly what my mother had wanted all along.

“Alright.” Lydia grabbed the bundle of straws she’d pretended to need. “We should get back out there before the diner implodes without us.”

I laughed softly. The sound surprised me. To keep up appearances I grabbed an armful of napkins and followed her out.

My mother’s eyes narrowed the second we stepped back into the dining room. If she could’ve barged into the storage room to listen, she would have. But Lydia and her pack would have thrown her out no matter who she was.

She started to raise her hand to call me over, likely to interrogate me, when an obnoxious ringtone suddenly blared through the diner. The other customers grumbled at the shrill interruption. My mother rolled her eyes at the onlookers before walking outside to answer it. She had no shame.

Whenever she got those calls, she always walked away. At least it bought me a few minutes to breathe. I just wished I knew who she was talking to.

Hopefully, someone calling her away for a few days. Because the moment she left me alone in that house I was searching her room. She had to have something damning in there that I could use against her.

They said we needed one thing. The sooner I found it the sooner I could reclaim my life.

At least now they’d know I was still fighting. Even if most days I felt like I was barely hanging on.

I still wanted Gavin out of that house and away from her. This nightmare needed to end.

My mother didn’t return until the very end of my shift. She swept in and glared at me. “Clean all this up and bring me my check.”

Of course, she always paid down to the exact penny. Not that I’d expected a tip from someone like her. She remained in the booth while we closed the diner around her.

The last few customers drifted out the door with full stomachs and to-go boxes in hand.

She waited. Just to remind me that I couldn’t leave until she allowed it.

The moment we climbed into her car she started talking. Her eyes were as sharp as her tongue, warning me without saying it that I’d better listen.

“I have some business to handle. I’ll be gone for one night. That brat can’t come with me this time.”

I bit my tongue, trying not to look relieved. Gavin still hadn’t told me what had happened the last time she’d taken him. I had a feeling I’d never truly know.

“That doesn’t mean I won’t be watching. I’ve got someone going to the diner in my place. There will also be someone watching Gavin at school. No matter where you go outside this house, they’ll be watching. In fact, my guy will be waiting outside our house, too.”

She was gleeful as she told me, a bright smile taking over her cherry-painted lips.

This was the exact break we needed. She could have someone watch us all she wanted. Inside we’d have free rein.

“When are you leaving?” I asked in a detached voice.

She glared at me anyway like I’d cheered out loud.

“Don’t act so fucking smug about it, bitch.” Her hand twitched like she was about to slap me before she stopped herself. “I’ll be gone tonight. So, make sure the brat gets to school.”

As if she’d ever taken him herself. That had always been my job.

“Okay.” I answered quickly before she could decide I hadn’t acknowledged her fast enough.