The words tumble out of my mouth like verbal diarrhea. “I hate working as a camgirl. It makes me feel dirty and guilty. But I also have had moments where I’ve enjoyed it. Like feeling sexy and free. The entire experience is confusing. Also, I met my scent-match. And I’ve been trying to find a new job, but with zero leads.” I bury the Alpha scent-match bullshit in the middle, hoping she doesn’t focus on it, but she knows all my tricks.
“Well, a lot is going on for that pretty little freckled face of yours, huh? All right, we’re gonna get back to the guilt bullshit because that’s your mom and not you. But first… You met your Alpha?” She squeaks, eyes lighting up with excitement. Cassia claps her hands, bringing them to her lips, and jealousy twists my gut at her completely normal reaction. The typeIshould have after meeting the man who was put on this planet just for me.
“I met him at Asher’s practice last week…” I gulp, mouth suddenly dry. The faint scent of chocolate-hazelnut makes my belly somersault.
“And?” she prompts
“And it’s a fuckingmess,Cass. His packmate is a giant asshole. But I still gave him my number, put myself out there—and he’s barely said a word. I told him to keep it professional, but I never thought it would be so cold. It makes sense, though. Why would he be interested in a messy single mom who works on a sex website?” As the words come out, the stark reality hits me like a punch to the gut, but still I continue, knowing Cassia is the one person who can handle all my crazy. “And I can’t be with him anyway, because he is a professional hockey player. Which means media attention. And media attention means that my mom and the step-monster could find me.”
My best friend knows everything about me, every ugly detail of my life, my past, my present, my future. Cassia drops her pizza onto her plate and slides over until she can fold her arms around me. Tucking my chin into her neck, I take in her faint beta scent and allow all the tears I’ve been holding at bay to stream down my face. Every pent-up piece of anxiety flows from my eyes like a river unable to be dammed.
“Holy shit! That’s a lot, babe. That’s really a lot.” She just hugs me tighter, and I’m glad she doesn’t offer solutions or placating words because sometimes all you need is for someone else to listen. She holds me through the tears, allowing me to release all my fears. Never judging, just a steady presence to cling to in the storm of my life.
My phone buzzes on the table, making me jump. It buzzes again, and I frown, unsure of who in the world would message me this late. Part of me hopes it’s a job, but another part knows that it won’t be.
When it buzzes again, I reach for it, using my sleeve to dry my eyes while sniffling. “I’d better check that.” I disentangle myself from Cassia, and she pops up.
The phone is heavy in my hand as I tap the screen, making it come alive.
Unknown number
Hello, Asher’s mom. I think it’s time we have a chat. I’ll be back in town tomorrow. Let me know when you’d like to meet up.
What the hell?
I have no idea who it’s from. My mind jumps immediately to Vonn, but that doesn’t make sense. His name and number are already saved in my contacts. I consider it for a moment and type my reply.
Me
Julius?
It is the only logical answer because no one else is out of town. Just the hockey team, or so Vonn said.
Unknown number
Now you know my name. Care to share yours?
Me
Not particularly. There is no reason for us to meet up.
My inner rage flares. I want nothing from this man. First, he fast-tracked my career as a camgirl, then he insulted my ability to care for my son. Fucking asshole. Now he wants to chat? I quickly add his contact to my phone.
POS
I can think of a few reasons. Our SCENT MATCH for one. New skates for our son for another.
Cassia returns with a tissue, which she offers to me while reading everything over my shoulder and gasping at his revelations.
“What the actual fuck is this loony-toon talking about?” I mutter, thumbs flying over the screen.
Me
Do not SHOUT at me. YOU’RE not my scent-match. Lose this number. And stay away from MY son.
After that, he simply sends me a laughing face like he thinks I’m a funny little lunatic, making me want to reach through the phone and choke him until his eyes bug out.
“What a fucking asshole.” Cassia is bright red from withheld laughter, and I wad up the tissue and throw it at her. “Nothing is funny. Did you see where he called Asherourson? What the hell is wrong with this guy?”
