Chapter 37 #2
“That would be perfect,” Lana gushed. “Honestly, South Lake is gorgeous. And with hockey being so big here, I bet you’d fill up fast during big games and tournaments. The AHA playoffs could end up here every so many years.”
Real excitement filled me. I had every intention of bringing it up to the guys. Even if they loaned me the money to get started, I’d absolutely be able to pay them back once I had things rolling.
“We’re here,” Roxie said as we pulled up in front of the fancy, Italian restaurant downtown. There was a line waiting outside already, but Lana led the way right past them.
“Don’t worry,” she said. “We’ve got reservations.”
She gave her name to the hostess, who waved us in. There were some protests from the crowd, but everyone ignored them.
D’Anglos was gorgeous. It was fancier than I expected but, thankfully, there was a mix of outfits so I didn’t stand out.
A huge, crystal chandelier hung in the center of the room and a man played piano under it. Tables with white linens and sparkling crystal glasses lined the room. About half were already filled.
The marble floors under our feet were polished and reflected the warm lighting. Between the slightly dimmed lights, the warm chandelier, and the soft music, the ambience was incredible.
I held my head high, and I soaked it all in. I belonged here just as much as anyone else and I was working on not flinching away anytime I had a chance to take up space.
“So, tell me everything,” Lana said as soon as we sat down and were served house wine or sparkling water, and fresh bread. “How did you all meet?”
“Well, like I told you, I took on a job cleaning,” I explained. “One night I had my headphones in, and everybody was supposed to be out of the locker room. I didn’t realize Conrad was still showering.”
“Hold on,” Lana interrupted. “I can’t know anything about Conrad’s sex life.”
My cheeks flamed. “Girl, I didn’t fuck him in the locker room.”
They both lost it.
“He tried not to scare me, I guess. He said my name a couple times, and I didn’t hear him, but eventually he got my attention. Gavin came bursting in because he heard me scream. It was honestly hilarious.”
I laughed at the memory. Gavin was so brave and Conrad’s face was hilarious looking back on it.
“But I was in the middle of trying to keep my life under control, and I totally ignored him.”
Lana snorted. “Good. We don’t want these hockey players getting too big of heads,” she teased. “I totally understand being reluctant.”
“Me, too,” Roxie agreed. “My dad abandoned my mom when she was pregnant with me. He was a hockey player and paid her off so he wouldn’t have to deal with raising a child and could focus on his career. So, I didn’t want anything to do with the guys when they found me.”
“I did the same, brushing them off and pushing them away. Then, to rub salt in their wounds, August showed up. August and I grew up as neighbors, and he knew everything about my mom. He came from a similar situation. In fact, my mom made sure his dad got a good job and forced them to move away when we got too close.”
“No,” Roxie gasped, leaning forward, completely invested now.
“Yep,” I said. “She had some connections and made sure his dad got a job opportunity and moved them away. She didn’t tell me until two years later when she threw it in my face just to be a bitch.”
“Oh my god,” Lana breathed out in shock.
We were interrupted as a waiter came by, taking our order and refilling our glasses.
“So, he shows up, pulls me into this big hug, and the guys are confused and trying to be territorial, which, of course, August shuts down because he would do anything to mess with an alpha.”
“Girl, that’s crazy,” Roxie said, shaking her head. “What changed your mind?”
“I realized a lot of what was holding me back was fear. Fear of what my mom was going to do, and my own insecurities about being completely inexperienced.”
“Aw, I totally get that,” Lana said, reaching over and squeezing my hand. “But you’re a knockout and they’re lucky to have you.”
“Thanks. I’m starting to realize that. Plus, it helped that August offered to give me some lessons.”
“Oh my god,” Roxie gasped. “He did? And you accepted?”
I covered my face and nodded. “No regrets there.”
“I would imagine not,” Lana said with a laugh. “Honestly, that’s genius.”
“And then my mom took Gavin away for three days and left me freaking out. She forced me to cut them out. So, Conrad took alpha classes to be a better alpha. August stalked me outside my window, and Lachlan hired his cousin to dig into my mom and figure everything out.”
“Your life is like some kind of movie.” Roxie declared as she bit into a breadstick.
“Hardly,” I said, waving a hand between us. “Now, somebody, change the subject to your lives. How did you meet your packs? What changed your minds? I want all the details.”
Our waiter dropped off our food right as Lana launched into her explanation. I didn’t realize how comforting it was to hear about healthy pack relationships. To know that maybe my pack and I were doing something right.
Now that they’d reassured me that heats were amazing, I couldn’t wait. I’ve had time with each of my mates individually, but I wanted to experience them together. To wear their bites.
To know they were mine forever.
August
“What the fuck do you mean you have a no-heat policy?” I bit out, my fingers gripping my hair. Everything had been in place. Conrad had booked the cabin with no issues. Lachlan had put in the orders, and we had every supply we needed.