“That’s why I’m giving you space to think about it,” she says softly.
My heart clenches at how his brow furrows, and how suddenly vulnerable he looks.
We’ve never been close enough for me to learn the whole story about his ex-wife, and I’m not sure I want to. All I know is there was some horrible drama after I hit a puck into his nose, they broke up, and I was the dumb kid who took advantage of him when he was drunk and at his lowest. Which Timber helpfully doesn’t remember.
“Marilyn, listen,” I start when the silence stretches on for too long. “I can find an omega, but—”
She cuts me off with a pointed look. “Puck bunnies and supermodels don’t count. Not unless I approve of them.”
She got me straightaway. I’d rather find someone superficial and get the date over with quickly. The only other person I’ve wanted to be with my whole life, apart from Timber, is my scent match, and they haven’t appeared yet.
At least she’s giving us a heads up, unlike some of the other guys.
“I’m not asking you to bond,” Marilyn sighs. “You each need someone to help settle you so you don’t throw down at every opportunity. Plus, I don’t want you to end up with someone who might use you.”
Timber flinches, and I roll my eyes as I slouch back in my chair. I like fucking, sure, but to actually meet an omega who fits Marilyn’s criteria and is okay with our lifestyles doesn’t seem possible.
“How are we going to find a partner in the middle of the season?” I ask. “We’re at away games half the time, anyway.”
“That’s why I’ll find omegas for you if you can’t. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, so try it. I’ve already reserved a table for each of you at La Vie Bleue in three weeks. I expect you both there with omegas, or I’ll carry out my promise.”
“Like a double date?” I perk up. A foursome would be the perfect way to get Timber to consider me as a partner.
“Separate tables on opposite sides of the restaurant. Because we know howpositivelyTimber reacts to you.” She tilts her head with a question. “Do you think you can do that?”
Timber glares at me again, and I swallow the urge to scent mark him just to wind him up. I love it when I rub my scent on him, and he yells at me in a fit of sexy, red-faced anger. It could be a good way to distract him from whatever thoughts are running through his head to make him look like Marilyn’s asked him to scale Mount Everest.
“You’re not leaving until you both agree to this. It’s your choice: holdouts, or dates?” she says.
There’s no other way around it. When Marilyn lays down the law, we have to obey.
“Yeah, sure, of course. I’ll try, but it’s not like a scent match is going to drop out of the sky. I’m only doing it because you’re telling me to.” When all I really want to do is drag Timber out of here and annoy him until he bites at me.
I would love a pack and an omega to take care of and whatever else alphas dream of nowadays, but Timber has always been my goal.
“Timber?” she asks more softly. Her eyes crinkle, and it’s clear they are both thinking of whatever his ex did. I really don’t like feeling left out.
He presses his lips hard together, finally looking up at her. “I just have to go on the date?”
“For now, yes.” A slight smile crosses her lips. “Just try getting to know someone, and see what you think.”
He gives her a hard nod. “Fine, I’ll give it a go, as long as you keep me on the ice.”
Her shoulders relax as she appears to be satisfied. All the other players she meddles with haven’tjustgone on dates with omegas. They’ve mated and formed packs. I’m pretty sure as soon as we go on said dates, she’ll make another ‘request’, and then another, which will eventually lead to us bonding with an omega. And I seriously don’t like the idea of being in a pack without Timber.
“Good. I have something else to discuss with you. Kane, you may leave.”
I blink at them both as Timber straightens in his chair, an even harder look crossing his face.
What the hell is she going to say to him that she can’t say in front of me? Timber and I aren’t exactly close, but now I’m itching to find out what little secret they’re about to share.
Unfortunately, Marilyn’s office is glass on three sides, and there’s no way I can get away with snooping around. So, I need to hunt down one of the older guys, like Levon or Ares, and find out what happened in the past that made Timber respond to Marilyn’s request as if it’s the end of the world.
Ollie
Iswallow a breath as I knock on the door before adjusting the cuff of my shirt.
I got a haircut before the meeting, bought a special vest and nipple pads to bind my breasts, and took out all my piercings. Plus, I’ve been practicing my speech and walking style with Luke for the past week.
