Benton bumps his shoulder against mine and speaks as he signs. “We’re good,” he declares. “Gina was a gold-digging mess. Her new man’s team, the Devils suck; and I’m done letting old grudges get in the way of your happiness. So we kissed and made up.”
I shrug one shoulder. “He’s not wrong.”
Her eyes shine with something soft, relieved.
You talked?
“More like confessed our sins,” I say, making sure she can read my lips even though Benton’s signing.I really need to take some classes.
“Spilled our guts,” Benton adds.
“And drank,” I finish, lifting my bottle.
Her smile blooms so bright it hits me straight in the sternum. For the first time, I feel like I can actually step toward whatever future the four of us are building…without dragging Gina’s ghost behind me.
And damn, that feels good.
44
Milton
All I can thinkabout since last night is Bayleigh. Everything is falling into place. We’re an official pack. Her parents approve of our courting her, and even Korbin and Benton found peace between them.
Everything is coming up roses.
The only thing I want now is to spend time with her. Just the two of us. Building the bond that's growing between us.
Nervously, I pull my phone from my locker, grinning at Korbin, who’s fuming because of the lecture Coach gave us this morning about how we acted with the matchmaker. The damn asshole tried to tell us we were going to be paired with an omega of their choosing if we didn’t pick.
That’s not happening. We let him know that in not so many nice words either. In return, the two of us got a practice from hell.
It only takes me a second to pull up our private message thread.
Me: Hey Baby, what’cha doing?
She responds almost immediately.
Bayleigh: Just finished uploading the last of my scheduled posts on the Krakens’ social media sites. Why?
Me: Are you hungry?
Bayleigh: Ravenous. I skipped breakfast this morning and now I’m all hyped up on coffee.
Me: At home?
Bayleigh: Yes??
Me: I can be there in 30. Have lunch with me? Let me take you on a date.
I see the dots dancing then they stop, as does my heart. Shit, was it too much? Is she not ready for me to ask her on a date? Fuck, maybe Lincoln already has one planned with her, and she doesn’t know how to tell me. All these are stupid ramblings, yet I still have them.
Bayleigh: I’d love to. Do I need to change? I have on boots and a sweater.
Me: Nope, it’s perfect. OMW.
“What are you smiling about?” Korbin asks, dropping down on the bench to put on his shoes.
When did he get fully dressed?
