Page 92 of Never Bet Against A Hockey Player

I’d never had a nest before. Never even imagined one like this.

Soft fairy lights twinkled overhead, drawing you into its warm, soft light. Layers of blankets and pillows filled every corner. Everything about it felt warm.

Safe.

Nestled among the blankets sat an adorable plush cat. Without thinking, I slipped off my shoes and climbed inside.

Picking up the plushie, I hugged it against my chest before lowering myself onto the mountain of pillows and breathing in deep.

I looked around, trying to comprehend everything they’d done for me. It all felt like too much even as they continued to reassure us this was the bare minimum for a pack.

“Can we come into your space?” Conrad’s voice was quiet. My first instinct was to laugh. Why would I tell them no? It was their house.

Then I caught myself.

No. It wasn’t just their house anymore. It was ours. They’d bought this place for me and Gavin, too.

They’d built this nest just for me.

For the first time in my entire life, I had a space that belonged to me. If I told them no, they’d walk away without hesitation.

They’d respect my needs above all else.

But being alone was the last thing I wanted. My omega was desperate to keep them close, to have their touch.

“Please.”

The smiles they gave me had my chest warming. Lachlan looked genuinely excited. Conrad looked relieved. August wore that familiar, devilish grin. The one that reminded me of stolen kisses and promises interrupted by my mother all those years ago.

Then the lessons he gave me before she ruined it.

My omega perked up instantly. I ignored the warmth growing low in my stomach. The doctor had made it very clear that I still needed to recover.

“I know I’m supposed to rest,” I said slowly. “But do you know what I’d really love?”

“Say it,” August rumbled as he settled beside me. “Whatever it is, it’s already yours.”

“I want a family dinner. A real one. I want all of us sitting around one table and talking and laughing. Cooking together and cleaning together. The works.”

No one would scream or ruin it. It would be a taste of what family life could have been.

I looked around at the three men who’d fought so hard to bring me home.

“I want to be with my pack.”

“Good thing we’ve got a personal chef.” Lachlan bumped Conrad’s shoulder with a grin.

I laughed at Conrad’s blush, the sound unguarded and free again. I’d barely escaped my prison and already I was back to being my own person again.

God, I’d missed that.

“It’s nice seeing you happy, Firecracker.” August reached over, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. Then he leaned forward and kissed me.

The kiss was impossibly gentle. I felt it in every cell of my body.

“You know...” I smiled softly against his lips. “I never got to say it back when you were outside my window every night. I heard you.”

His breath caught and I pressed my lips to his again.