My heart stutters. “About what?” Fear about what the answer may be clutches at my chest.
Milton licks his lower lip before speaking again. “We’re hoping to get traded.”
“What? Why?” Confusion takes over. I feel like the world is spinning and I have no control over what’s happening.
“Because the Scorpions’ culture is toxic as hell,” he says plainly. “We’re tired of the constant fighting. The ego. The way they treat their players. The way they treat us.”
My eyes shoot over to Lincoln, who nods, eyes gentle. “They’ve been waiting for the right time. The right deal, which includes being traded to the same team.”
Okay, that sounds amazing for them. I can agree that the Scorpions suck.
“And…” Milton adds, turning my head back to him, eyes lifting to mine, “we want a home closer to you.”
My heart squeezes so tight I can barely breathe.
“I don’t care what jersey I wear. I don’t care what state I play in. I’ll go wherever you are,” Milton adds. “As long as you’re happy. And safe. That’s all that matters to me.”
My eyes burn from tears that want to spill. Tears of happiness. My chest feels too full, and my heat hums low and warm, no longer frantic—calmed by the certainty of them.
Korbin
Seeing the three of them together makes me want more with Bayleigh. To have the closeness that they share. But there’s still an obstacle in our way. Hearing her ask Milton to help her through her heat was a dagger to the heart. Not because I’m not happy for him. No, it’s more because I want it too. She didn’t ask me, and I felt like I was intruding.
What did that leave me with?
An opportunity to do the one thing I didn’t plan on doing today. At some point, yes. But definitely not today. It’s what I need to do, though. It removes the final barrier standing in the way of true happiness with Bayleigh.
I need to talk to Benton and squash this turmoil between us. And he just so happens to be downstairs. Well, at least he was the last time I saw him.
As I make my way back downstairs, I see his parents seated in the living room, snuggled up together watching a movie. No Benton in sight.
Heading into the kitchen, I see him leaning with his back against the counter, beer in hand.
The silence is thick enough to choke on.
Benton stands there, glaring at me as he takes a sip of his beer. He doesn’t speak, doesn't move toward me. He clenches his jaw hard enough to crack the enamel on his teeth.
I’m not much better. My alpha instincts coil tight. If we were on the ice, someone would already be throwing punches and we’d both end up in the penalty box.
But we’re not.
We’re standing in Bayleigh’s kitchen, and there’s a glowing “Do Not Ruin This” sign flashing over his head.
This isn’t about Gina anymore. This is about Bayleigh. And I want to spend the rest of my life with her. Bond her. Have her become the omega of our pack.
So I swallow my pride first. It tastes like gravel and broken teeth.
“I screwed up,” I say, voice low. “Years ago. With Gina. With you.”
His eyes snap to me. Shock flickers there, quick and sharp.
I push through the tightness in my chest. “She blindsided us both. She played both of us. Neither of us deserved what she did.”
His shoulders tense. Maybe he’s feeling the same as me.
“And I never meant to hurt you,” I add. “Not then. Not now. I just let my pride get to me, and acted out the only way I knew how.”
Benton blinks like he’s not sure he heard me right. “You’re really saying this? Now?”
