Chapter 14 #2
As I waited, I let myself remember my best friend.
She was so beautiful. She had wild blonde curly hair that stuck up in all directions when she woke up, which made the mornings after our sleepovers hysterical.
She was the kind who teased you about everything, and we had so many inside jokes I couldn’t even keep track.
Any time I spent around her, I was simply happy. She understood me in a way no one else had since. It was in a way that was forged in embarrassing moments and trust.
Sometimes, life wasn’t fair. She was so young, with so much ahead of her. I hadn’t realized I was crying as I stared into the flames until Kieran’s soft touch gently brushed the tears away.
He didn’t try to tell me it was alright. He had his own tears flowing down his cheeks. I couldn’t help doing the same, our grief and heartbreak so strong in the moment that it was hard to breathe.
His hands sought out mine as we stood up, as if he needed me to comfort him.
Then we faced the fire together.
“Happy birthday, Talia,” I whispered. “I miss you so fucking much. It hurts, but I know you were watching that game with me and laughing your ass off.”
Then I tossed the paper inside, watching as the flames curled around it, turning it to ash.
My chest ached sharply, then it dissipated, as if my body let it go the moment the ashes joined the embers. It was as if I had a connection with her in this moment, like she was standing next to me, holding my other hand, reassuring me that I was going to be fine.
After the moment passed, I turned toward Kieran, letting him know I was ready if he was.
The alpha took a deep breath, holding out the paper, but not throwing it yet.
“Happy birthday, Gabriella,” he said. “I miss you. I try every day to be the man you thought I was. I try to live, because you would’ve wanted me to.”
He brought the paper to his lips, kissing it softly before tossing it in.
The breath he let out after was long and low, like he was physically pushing out the grief that had been haunting him.
“Do you want some cake?” I offered.
“I think I’d like it if everybody else joined us,” he admitted. Instead of stepping away, he moved closer so we were face to face. “I think this is probably the most settled I’ve ever felt on her birthday. That helped so much more than I expected it to. Thank you.”
“Thanks for being here with me, too,” I replied, giving him a soft smile as I stared up at him.
The moment shifted, heated slightly, and he started to lean forward before stumbling back. I thought he was about to kiss me, and god, I wanted him to, but not like this.
Not today.
I rushed past him, running into the house and calling out to the others to save us from ourselves.
“Who wants cake?”
I’d never seen hockey guys move so fast. Carb loading after a game was not unheard of.
I snagged extra plates from the kitchen, leaving the door open so they could follow us out.
Conrad was the first one to arrive, clapping Kieran on the shoulder and checking in. Kieran gave him a half smile. It was a lot better than it was this morning.
“Oh man, this looks amazing,” Mason said as he joined.
Kieran cleared his throat. “Lana made Gabriella a birthday cake,” he said, his voice no longer cracking. “I thought maybe we could celebrate together.”
“I love that plan,” Cade said as he sat down at the table. Lennon sat next to him, giving me a look that was confused but impressed.
I served slices of cake one by one, starting with Kieran. Nobody moved until he took the first bite. He grinned as he chewed, shaking his head.
“I’m so glad you moved in here. This is incredible.”
“Maybe we should have a cake every week,” Mason proposed.
“I’m sure the coach would love that,” I laughed. “But, I promise it’s not the only good thing I can make.”
“I’m already learning that, princess,” he said, giving me a wink.
No one spoke about the game or my exes. Kieran joined in on conversations as they made plans for the following week, because apparently they got their asses kicked out of a few practices and the next game.
The selfish part of me was ecstatic that I got to have them for a whole week. I hadn’t realized how much, in only a week, I’d come to depend on their presence. I might have to go to the arena to cook, but they would be home nearly every time I was.
The guys had showed up for me tonight. This was between us, because they knew I needed it, and not a soul outside of us and coach knew why.
No fanfare… just showing up. That’s all I ever wanted.
My brother’s words kept bouncing around in my head, warning me to take care of myself and be careful.
Yet, I wanted to throw caution to the wind and give these men a chance.
It went beyond scent compatibility. My defenses were falling, and I wanted to give in to the instincts I’d been suppressing for far too long.
I was a packless omega now. We’d never gone through with an official bonding ceremony or any paperwork. It was a clean break, and I didn’t owe my exes a damn thing.
More than anything, I owed myself happiness.