Page 38 of Knot Only His

“Yeah,” I reply, glancing at Asher and back at Parker. “At least it’ll keep Jake’s lawyers off our backs. With Jagger living with us as part of an established pack, it’ll cement our relationship even without an omega.”

The corner of Parker’s mouth lifts slightly—a flicker of hope? “If you do that,” he says slowly, “I’ll fight for Harlow.”

“Thank fuck,” I breathe out, relief flooding me.

A beat passes as we all soak in that promise. It’s a small victory, but one that could change everything.

Coach shifts in his seat, his brow furrowing slightly. “Do you think she’ll come around?” His voice softens, almost vulnerable.

“She has to.” I murmur under my breath, conviction rising within me like smoke from an extinguished fire.

I clutch my glass tighter, feeling the coolness against my palm.

Asher nods slowly, contemplative. “She’s struggling with her identity right now.”

“Yeah,” I say, eyes focused on the darkening night as I wonder where she is. Who she is with.

I can’t shake this feeling of urgency. She needs to realize she doesn’t have to pretend anymore; she can embrace who she really is and find strength in it instead of hiding from it.

“I just wish there was something more we could do,” Asher says quietly.

“She just has to figure it out on her own,” I respond, knowing how important this journey is for her, even if it feels like time slips away from us all too fast. “But she is coming to you for physio. She is working for the Raiders. She’s here, and that counts for a lot.”

“She might not want someone as old as me.” Coach’s voice is heavy with doubt.

“Did you see the way she stared at you?” I can’t help but smirk, leaning back in my chair.

A glint of hope flares in his eyes, just for a moment.

“Did she?” Asher leans forward, his curiosity piqued.

“Yeah,” I say, trying to keep my tone light. But something shifts in me as I watch Coach wrestle with his insecurities. He’s a good man, and like Harlow, he deserves someone who sees his potential.

“She’s beautiful, and I’m an old guy,” he grumbles, pushing his hair back with his fingers.

“You’re in your thirties. You’re hardly old,” I shoot back. He needs this pep talk more than he knows.

Asher nods. “And she might want a Daddy.” There’s a playful edge to his voice, but the weight behind it isn’t lost on me.

“Yeah, she might have Daddy issues,” I add quietly, considering how much I know about her without really knowing her at all. “Considering her own father left when she was young.”

Coach’s gaze snaps to mine, surprise flickering across his features. “You know an awful lot about Harlow.”

I shrug off the comment with a casual grin, but inside, something churns. It feels like everyone is dancing around what’s right in front of us—the chemistry between Coach and Harlow that’s practically palpable. Her not being scared underneath Asher’s rough touch. She wants us. She just doesn’t know it–yet.

She deserves someone who can give her what she needs. And she needs what we can give her.

I tap my fingers against the table, searching for words that could untangle this knot of uncertainty in Coach’s mind. “Look,” I sayfinally, keeping my tone serious. “She wouldn’t be working here if she didn’t want to be close to us.”

Asher glances at Coach before looking back at me. “You really think it’ll work out?”

“Why won’t it?” I challenge gently, aware that we’re all trying to work out our feelings while holding onto what we believe we know about Harlow—and ourselves.

“I swear I knew she was my omega the first day I set eyes on her. I’m positive I could smell her. She smells of...”

“All sweetness, pineapple, coconut, vanilla—” Asher says.

“And rum. Not too much, just a hint,” Coach adds. “That’s the smell I couldn’t work out.”

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