Page 55 of Sweet Heat

“He has some other things being sent throughout the game, but please let me know if there’s anything you want at all. You can raise your arm or simply press this button, and it will page me,” she adds, passing over a small remote. “Can I get you something to drink?”

We all place a drink order before she disappears, then rip into the bags.

“Oh, my goodness, he thought ofeverything,” Emma giggles, looking at the blankets, candies, and even a little plush baseball bat. “The man may just be growing on me.”

“I can’t believe he did all this,” I whisper, truly blown away. Everything in the bags is something I love. My favorite caramels, gummy rings, even something to snuggle—he didn’t miss a thing. I drape the super-soft blanket over my legs and hug the plush to my chest.

“I can’t believe he’s spoiling us, too,” Mari pipes up. “Definitely a keeper.”

“Spoiling us? Or trying to bribe us for stealing Posie?” Emma jokes, throwing her head back. I bump her with my shoulder.

“You know you like him.” I use my bat to poke her in the side.

“Yes. Yes, I approve.” Emma swats me back with hers.

“Well, that’s good since he’s my scent match,” I confess, mind swirling with warm fuzzy feelings as the players make their way out onto the field.

“Puts that prick Alex in the dust,” Emma agrees. “Is he still calling you?”

“He’s texted me once or twice since I told him I wasn’t interested. He seemed a little sore about the whole thing, and they still charged me for the driving classes I canceled. But honestly, I justhope poor Bert got paid. Since then, I’ve ignored the random messages he sends. Why? Has he been bothering you?” The players stream onto the green in their dark-blue jerseys and gray pants, and I wait with bated breath to see my guy appear. Emma answers, but I don’t hear any of it because he’s here, and it’s like all the oxygen has been sucked out of the stadium.

The sun streams down, making Miller seem like a god, his thick, muscled arms rippling. He carries his mask and mitt, but the second he enters his head snaps toward the stands, finding me like a homing beacon.

I bite my lip under the heat of his gaze, my body instantly responding to my mate. My nipples pucker, and I’m thankful I wore thick, slick-neutralizing panties because they soak immediately. A blush spreads across my cheeks, and he grins wickedly, knowing what his appearance does to me.

Miller waves with his mitt, and I wish I could run out there, fling myself into his arms, and bury my nose in the crook of his neck to try to scent him. I usually can’t without tasting him first, but every once in a while, it happens…

“Well, it’s official. Our fair omega is in love and off the market,” Emma snickers, knocking into me and I can’t help but grin and nod in agreement.

The players warm up, tossing some balls around. My eyes remain trained on Miller, completely unable to look away from all his sexy, muscled glory. He stretches out his hips, and my brain short circuits, remembering how those hips feel clapping against mine.

“I’m so happy for you, Posie,” Mari says earnestly, her voice falling. The sadness there is enough to grab my attention. “I hope I’ll get to see you mated.”

“Okay, it’s time to spill,” I demand. “What in the world is going on, Mari? Why does it feel like you’re saying goodbye?”

Mari plays with the edge of her blanket, fidgeting to avoid the situation, but our resident bulldog won’t let her get off that easily.

“Now, Mari. Whatever it is, you know we’re here for you,” Emma insists, but her demeanor pushes the right buttons, getting our gentle friend to open up.

Mari tugs at her hair before shoving it behind her ear and finally lifting her chin to meet us head-on. Dark rings surround her eyes, standing out on her pale face, and she swallows audibly before beginning. My gut churns as we wait, the tension heavy.

“Well, remember how I told you my sister was pregnant again? And her first baby is only four months old…” she stalls out, seeming unsure how to continue.

“Yeah. She lives in Guardious with those shitbag Alphas who keep her locked in the house,” Emma snarls, and I nod, giving Mari my undivided attention even as Owen steps up to the mound and the game begins.

“Well, she’s been having a rough pregnancy. Super sick, unable to leave bed, and all that misery. Anyway, her Alphas have requested that I join them to help take care of the baby. Kind of like a nanny…” she chokes off, her voice breaking. Mari rubs her eyes frantically, trying to hide the tears that spill, but I see them anyway and tug her toward me.

“You don’t have to go, though. Right? You’re an adult,” Emma asks.

“My parents are threatening to pull my funding for college and the apartment if I don’t go and help. Annabelle’s Alphas are being very insistent.” Her shoulders droop in defeat, and she leans her head against my shoulder.

“But you’re only one semester away from graduating,” I gasp, horrified. All Mari’s ever wanted was a degree in nursing. She’s incredibly smart and has done everything possible to fast-track her studies. Her grades are top-notch, and she’s finished nearly a year ahead.

“They don’t care. Said I can finish at some university in Guardious—Malwood or something,” she mutters, her jaw locking with rage.

“Why can’t your mom help? She doesn’t even work,” Emma folds her arms, anger radiating from her. Mari’s mom is a bit of a bitch, but that’s such a good point. If she cares so much about helping Annabelle, then why isn’t she already on a plane? Why upend Mari’s whole life and send her to another continent? “Surely it would be safer for her since she’s bonded. If you present as an omega there, you’ll be royally fucked.”

“Or auctioned,” Mari reminds us with an audible gulp.

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