Chapter 9
Chapter
Nine
Lana
The house was fairly chaotic tonight as the boys amped up for their game with the Narwhals this week. They knew it was coming, but no one could truly prepare.
They would have to keep their cool, because even two weeks into staying here at the hockey house, I hadn’t heard a word from my supposed pack.
There were a lot of things about the assholes I left behind that still made me angry, but there were also ways that I knew we were simply wrong for each other. Maybe at one time things worked, but that simply wasn’t our life anymore. I had come to accept that.
I knew my worth, and I’d never put myself in that position again. Hell, I’d never date a hockey player again.
The moment I had the thought, my mind immediately drifted to the Wardens’ starting lineup. Despite knowing damn well that my brother had warned them away from me, I genuinely liked being around them.
They smelled incredible. We were definitely scent compatible, but it was more than that. After Lennon and I came to an understanding, I knew it would be hard to resist them if they ever truly showed interest.
Slipping past the living room where the guys were all hanging out and arguing over a game, I ducked into the kitchen. I made myself a quick cup of tea before sneaking out the back door.
It was funny how different I felt about being alone after living here such a short time. The guys filled the void that had been echoing inside of me for months. Now, there was always somebody around, and Conrad was even threatening to drag me down to the Wardens Arena with them.
He hated leaving me alone, and kept finding excuses to send them back early. I might have to go just so he stops that.
I sat down on the porch swing, one foot tucked under me, the other lazily swinging as I sipped on the hot tea in my hand. My fingers wrapped around the warm ceramic, letting the heat seep into them. It was chilly out here, and I wasn’t exactly dressed for it.
This spot was too peaceful to resist, and I was excited to see what it would be like when the weather warmed up a bit.
The creak of the door had me glancing over, smiling as Conrad snuck out to join me.
“You know, big brother, I am capable of being by myself from time to time.”
He sat down beside me and groaned. “It was a rough day at practice. Landed wrong on my shoulder going after a puck.”
I’d seen some of the dives the goalies had done. “I believe you on that one. All of it looks painful. Now, quit avoiding. Why are you following me out here? I’m doing better, you know.”
He sighed. “You didn’t see yourself on that phone call, Lana. You’re gonna have to give me time to move past it. I just need to know you’re safe. You’re my sister; my alpha is protective over you.”
“That’s fair,” I said, giving his arm a squeeze before we rocked in silence for a bit. “Did your alpha also need to warn the guys to stay away from me?”
He opened his mouth, but I reached over and put my hand over it before he could speak, eyes narrowed.
“Don’t you dare lie to me, Conrad Flynn. We all know what you did.”
He threw up his hands, more exasperated than upset as I let my hand fall away. “Can you fucking blame me? Look at the last time I let guys around you.”
“First of all, you didn’t let anyone around me,” I clarified. “I am a grown woman. Back then, I would’ve seen them regardless. You couldn’t have stopped me. I wouldn’t have let you.”
“But it’s my job to take care of you.”
“Actually, that was our parents’ job,” I countered. “You were allowed to have your own life and your own friends, and I truly hate that you had to take on that responsibility.”
“I never saw it that way,” he promised.
“I know,” I reassured him. “I just hate that I’m disrupting your life again.”
“We’ve always been in this cycle,” he said, bumping his shoulder into mine. “Me trying to be overbearing, you trying to do anything you can to not add to the burden.”
“How about we both just admit we’ll do our best and it’ll be fine?” I said.
He nodded. “Deal.”
“Perfect,” I said, taking another sip. His eyes locked on me as I gazed out at the yard.
“Have you considered joining us at the arena a bit more?” he questioned.
“It’s not my place, Conrad. It’s yours.”
“Don’t act like this life isn’t yours just as much as it is mine. Don’t act like you haven’t missed the ice.”
“I have. The pack always promised to let me come skate, but then it came less and less. I don’t think I’ve skated in a good three years.”
“I feel like such a failure,” he said, shaking his head. “How could I not see that? I should’ve done something. Checked in on you more.”
“Let’s be real, I probably wouldn’t have let you know,” I admitted. “You can’t be there every day for me. As much as we’d love that, it’s just not possible.”
“I hear you, but I’m not listening. You’re going to come to the arena with us. I wasn’t kidding about that job. We haven’t had a proper nutritionist and we need you. Plus, I think you need this. You’d take on the whole team during the day, and at home you can cook for us.”
“Oh, can I?” I teased.
He gave me a toothy grin. “Of course. Anything for your big brother, right?”
“I don’t know,” I shot back. “Lennon made one hell of a homemade tomato soup and grilled cheese.”
He snorted. “Don’t you dare act like you weren’t involved in that.”
They all assumed I was responsible for that meal. The smirk on Lennon’s face when he told them he cooked was priceless. I still wasn’t sure what happened in his life that made him not trust omegas, but I was glad he was letting me in, at least a little.
We were quiet for a moment, me just sipping my tea and my brother staring into the evening.
“Mom called me,” he finally said, breaking the silence.
I winced. “She did?”
“They want to have dinner.”
“Which restaurant did she pick this time?”
“Santana’s. That Mexican fusion place downtown.”
“At least we’ll have good food,” I offered. It was a feeble attempt at brightening the mood, but we both knew we weren’t getting out of it.
I let out a long sigh. “I guess that means I’m going to have to come clean about everything.”
Nobody wanted to admit to their parents that they let their partners walk all over them.
“I also need to go shopping,” I said with a sigh. “I ordered a few things our first night here, but I definitely need more. And the fact that I have very little professional clothing doesn’t help. Even in kitchens, I’ll need to look the part. I’d be representing the team, after all.”
“Mason would take you,” he said.
I fake gasped, making him groan. “Is this you giving me permission to be alone with one of them?”
“Well, I thought letting Lennon be the one home the other night meant I wouldn’t have to worry about it,” he said, giving me a side-eye. “And then I come home to him making homemade food.”
“You have to admit, that was some damn good grilled cheese and tomato soup.”
“It was,” he agreed, almost reluctantly. “It was always your favorite. I can hardly blame you.”
He stood and opened the door, calling out to his teammate, “Hey, Mason.”
Mason joined us, eyes flicking from my brother to me.
“Is everything alright?” For the first time, he wasn’t flirting, just concerned.
“I’m fine,” I said quickly.
He relaxed, his shoulders slumping slightly as he sat in one of the patio chairs. “So, what’s going on?”
“She needs to go shopping. I don’t think I’m ready to send her out into the world by herself,” Conrad said.
“Did you ask her if she wants company?” Mason challenged. I loved that they stood up for me, even to their best friend. “You’re not her keeper.”
“Says who?” Conrad shot back, then looked at me as if I was going to help him.
“I’m fine with you going, if you want,” I offered to Mason.
“I’m a professional shopper, as you can tell by my wardrobe. I’m the only reason these fuckers don’t look like idiots at events. I’d love to accompany you, if you want the company.”
Truth be told, I wasn’t quite ready to face the world yet.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve gone shopping here in Westgrave.”
Mason’s whole face lit up, honey-colored eyes eager. “Anything in particular you’re looking for?”
“Everything,” I admitted. “I think I donated my entire wardrobe minus the clothes on my back, and after that I only ordered a little.”
“Poetic. I love it.”
“We can also pick up any skincare and makeup you didn’t get,” he said.
“I’ll be honest, I don’t even know what half of that stuff was.”
Now he was working hard to hide his excitement. “I can walk you through the stash if you want.”
“Professional shopper and professional esthetician?” My smirk had Conrad tensing. He was hating this.
“Hardly,” Mason laughed. “But I do my homework.”
“In that case, I’d love the help.” Maybe some pampering was just what I needed.
He held out a hand for me, giving my brother a warning look as if to say don’t fuck this up. Conrad held his hands up and waved us on.
I put my hand in Mason’s, letting him drag me inside.
His scent tickled my nose and warmed my chest at the same time.
The green apple was tart, but sweeter now that he was excited.
Fresh air and rain shouldn’t have worked together, they were opposites, but for him, it did.
Clean, crisp, with just a hint of storm.
I loved it a little too much.
He led me to my bedroom, then promptly spun around, grabbing me by the hips and plopping me onto the counter. I let out a squeal, which only made his smirk grow.
“You good, princess?”
That nickname usually drove me crazy. I never let my exes call me that. Coming from him, it was different. He didn’t use that title against me, it was just lighthearted teasing. The kind that made me feel like I was in on the joke.
He was so close. I looked up at him, momentarily unable to speak.
Mason was gorgeous. His skin was flawless, freckles a faint dusting, eyes a golden brown lined with dark liner that made them pop.
His lips weren’t overly glossy, just a slight sheen like he’d recently applied chapstick.
I couldn’t help but wonder what it tasted like.
Looking at the delta was enough to know I could trust him with my skincare.
“You’re going to have to stop looking at me like that, princess,” he growled, forcing himself to turn away.
My chest ached as he did. My omega had perked up without me realizing. She wanted him close, wanted to touch, to kiss his plush lips. But, I couldn’t cross that line.
More than that, I promised myself no more hockey players.
I focused on the moment as he showed off the abundance of skincare products, telling me what everything was for. My eyes glazed over halfway through, but he didn’t call me on it.
He pulled out a small bowl and brush set, whipping together a face mask that smelled like watermelon and strawberries. It was green and thick, but I didn’t question it.
“Close your eyes, princess.”
I did as told, letting my eyelids flutter shut and breathing steadily. His presence was nice, but when one hand rested on my thigh and the other brushed the mask onto my face, I couldn’t help breathing him in, indulging silently.
When I dared to peek, his eyes darkened as they met mine. The heat was obvious. He wanted me just as much as I wanted him, but he didn’t give in.
“Your brother would kill me.” It was a whisper, a plea for me to understand.
“He’d kill us both,” I agreed.
Instead of leaning in and closing the minuscule distance between us, he sighed and continued applying the mask. When he was done, he looked over my shoulder into the mirror and did the same to himself.
We both looked like we’d dipped our faces into a swamp. Green clay covered everything but our eyes and mouths.
“I know we can’t post pictures yet,” he said. “But I need to commemorate this.”
He pulled out his phone, pressing his head to mine as we smiled.
Even with the mask, I could see how much I’d changed. My eyes were alive again, not hollow. The dark circles were fading. I’d gained a little weight so I looked healthy.
But more importantly, I looked happy. Settled.
In that moment, I knew I was going to be just fine.