Page 8 of Choosing Their Omega

“Yup.” She grins slyly. “I felt kind of bad about it, so I thought I should confess.”

“You don’t feel that bad about it.”

“Yes, I do!” Lily protests, but she’s laughing. “I promise!”

“Uh-huh. Not that I didn’t deserve some chirping, after I assumed you were a puck bunny.”

“Chirping?”

“It’s what we call teasing, in the hockey world. You know, you kinda roast somebody? That means you’re chirping them.”

“Chirping.” Lily grins. “I like it.”

“Well, I’m glad you like hockey. I hope that we’ll see you at more games.”

“Depends. Are you going to keep being offside?”

“Wow.”

“My friend acted like this was a big problem of yours, maybe I should bring a big sign and hold it up to remind you.” She draws her hand across the air in front of her like she can see the sign in her mind’s eye. “Captain Ashford! Stay on-side!”

“My coach would probably ask if he can hire you to come to every game and do that.”

“Oh, sweet, does this mean I’ll get free pretzels?”

“Oh, I get it, that’s why you came. You didn’t care about hockey, you’re one of those people who just tags along to get the snacks.”

“You figured me out, Sherlock, it was all a ploy to get overpriced nachos.”

“Hey, the nachos aren’t that bad.” I think about it. “Miles can make much better ones, though.”

“Miles…” Lily frowns thoughtfully. “Is he one of your teammates?”

“Yup, he’s one of my pack too.”

“Oh, wow, what’s that like? Are all your pack teammates?”

“Yeah, that’s how we all met. And it’s great.”

“You don’t get sick of each other?” Lily’s face goes pink again, it’s adorable. “Sorry. I know that pack mates are close, I’ve just never really… I’m a Beta, and so are all of my friends, so…”

“No, it’s okay, I don’t mind.” I turn down the street she indicates. “It’s great, honestly. I need to be alone sometimes, I think everyone does, but these guys are my best friends. We became a pack because we realized we just didn’t want to go home alone and stop hanging out with each other. We’re happier when we’re all together.”

“That sounds sweet.” Lily looks out the window. “Oh, you can stop here.”

I pull to the side, a bit behind a junky old Corolla that’s parked on the street.

“Thank you so much,” Lily tells me. “Seriously, I really appreciate it, it would’ve been a long walk.”

I want to ask her if she doesn’t have a car, but I know that would definitely be overstepping. I’ve already pushed it a bit with buying her groceries and driving her home. I don’t want her to think that I’m invading her life.

“Well, I hope to see you again soon,” I tell her, and I mean it.

Lily smiles, blushing again. “It was nice to talk to you. And I really did love the hockey game, more than any other sport. It was a lot of fun.”

“Maybe I’ll see you at another game, then.”

“Maybe.” Lily gets her groceries, gives me a little wave, then gets out, taking her gorgeous body and intoxicating scent with her.

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