“Oh, I’m going to bond the fuck out of you. But not until I get you that Cup.”
The man acts like winning the Stanley Cup is no big deal. I mean, I suppose he already has a ring, but he’s so sure of himself, of me, and our team.
“And if we don’t get the Cup?” I ask him, and he glares at me.
“You have to manifest this type of shit. But even if we don’t get the Cup, you’re mine. You’re mine whether you have a bite on you or not.”
“And you’re not mad at Piper? About bonding with me, or before?”
“I’m still not happy she bonded with you the ten minutes I left the room, but I get it. About before, we’re good,” he says smiling. “I think we’re all going to be alright.”
“I think so too. Does Piper have to go into work?” I ask, shifting on the bed and shutting my eyes.
“Oh, about that. She quit.”
“She what?”
CHAPTER30
Piper exits the bathroom with her hair wet and her body wrapped in a towel.
“Oh, good, you two aren’t fighting.”
“You quit your job?”
“Yes, it was long overdue,” she says, not telling him the complete truth.
He narrows his eyes at her and clicks his tongue. “Why does it feel like you’re leaving something out? The whole reason my heat started was because you were arguing with this one over your application.” He points his thumb at me, and Piper’s cheeks heat. Owen tilts his head as he observes her. “I can feel your guilt. What aren’t you telling me?”
“Fucking bonds,” she mumbles and puts her hands on her hips. Did I just spend a whole week fucking her and Owen? Yes, but does a part of me still want her towel to fall down? Also yes. “I apologized to Alexi about what happened, and I apologize to you for starting you—”
“Let me stop you there,” Owen interrupts her. “As pissed as I am for missing two playoff games, this is the best I’ve ever felt. I’ve never felt this much relief and contentment in my life. Was the timing awesome? No, but I wouldn’t change any of it.”
I smile, and so does Piper. “Okay, so no more apologizing for that. But Alexi was right. I wouldn’t have submitted it, and I would have continued in my current program because I’m scared of being a failure.”
“You’re not a failure,” I say, and Piper smiles at me, and she nods her head.
“I know, I’m working on it.” Piper looks back at Owen. “They gave me a choice. Come into work, or stay for your heat. I chose you.”
Owen’s jaw goes slack, and he rubs his face. “I’m not really sure what to say.”
“There isn’t anything to say. I think I finally have my priorities straight now. You, Alexi, Charlotte, and her pack. That’s what’s most important. Plus, we found ourselves a sugar daddy, so even if no programs want me, he’ll take care of us.”
She smirks at me, and I laugh. “Get your ass over here.”
“I’d love to, but besides the fact that my vagina is literally sore, I have somewhere to be.”
“Where?”
“Charlotte needs some help with Katie and the twins.”
“I can come too,” Owen says, and Piper shakes her head.
“No, if you want to be ready for the game tomorrow, you need to rest.”
He gives her a lingering look but nods his head. She walks over to the bed, reaching over me and giving him a soft kiss. “Thank you for trusting us,” she says softly. He swallows and nods his head, clearly lost for words.
She pulls back and runs her nails through my scruffy beard. “Are you done being mad at me?”
