My eyes water as she walks away and I don’t feel so alone.
CHAPTER 6
HAYES
The bustleof the tournament starting soon is palpable. It’s a small private event, hosted by Conner Jenson. He’s a pretentious Alpha who thinks his designation makes him a king.
In reality the man is a complete asshole and the only women who spend time with him have ulterior motives. Not that I blame them, you have to do what you have to do. I just feel bad that they have to suffer in his company to get what they really want out of him—his money.
How completely pathetic that your only redeeming quality is your fortune? One the smug bastard didn’t even earn himself.
He slaps his big hand against my back.
“Don’t tell me you couldn’t find a date for tonight,” he says, faking sympathy.
He made this night all about bringing Omegas because he hates me. He hates that I beat him and that I’m a Beta. Scratch that, he hates that I’m a Beta people actually like.
I don’t need a knot or money to get people to like me.
“She’ll be down here soon,” I say, glancing at my text chain with Cherry.
“It’ll be nice to have some Betas sitting around the table,” he says.
I give him a smile as black cherry hair and scent fills the small area. Her black dress hits mid-calf, a tall slit showing off her toned calf. The gauzy fabric sparkles against her glowing skin. She smiles brightly as she grabs my arm.
“There you are,” she says sweetly, glancing over at Conner.
The Alpha clears his throat and glances at my date. I’m surprised he doesn’t have to wipe drool from his chin.
“Well, isn’t this a pleasant surprise? First deal starts in ten minutes,” Conner says in a pinched tone as he walks away.
Cherry’s face falls and she takes a deep breath.
“I don’t know if I can do this,” she says, all her bravado leaving from when she first entered the bar.
I tilt my head and look at all her pretty features. Her eyes are gray, fanned by long, dark eyelashes. Her lips are covered in darker lipstick making them look even more pouty against her sun-kissed skin.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, testing the limits and caressing her arm with my hand.
She looks almost shy as she glances at me, a far cry from the confident woman who gave me a lap dance a few days ago.
She wraps her arms around herself, pushing up her breasts. I quickly look back up at her face.
“Lavender Moon is different, I’m Cherry there. I’m not sure how to be her in a setting like this.”
“You don’t have to act any type of way. Just be yourself.”
Her dark brows pinch together and she shakes her head, almost like her being herself wouldn’t be enough.
“Listen, you don’t even have to talk. You’ll just sit on my lap while I play. I’ll handle everything.”
She bites her dark fingernail and nods.
“Okay, oh. Are they going to ask my name?”
“You can tell them your name’s Cherry.”
“Is it okay if I tell them my name is Hailey?”
