There’s a small part of me that wants to stay and stare up at Gran Elizabeth a little while longer. I wish she could tell me what her experience at the Olympics was like. Did she have fun or was it just all schedules and competition and anxiety? But she died before I was born. All I know of her is the legacy she left behind. One I was expected to live up to and exceed.
But I didn’t.
“It’s hard, isn’t it?” Tanner whispers, walking beside me as we leave the area following Harriett.
“What’s hard?”
“Living under that kind of shadow.” His chin jerks at the mural just before we turn the corner and leave it.
“What would you know about it?”
“More than you think.” He picks up his pace, not giving me a chance to ask what he means. He’s clearly said everything he wants to about it. For now, anyway.
I’m left feeling like he parted a curtain without pullingit back to let in the light. I don’t know if I’m ready to forgive, but I want to see more of what’s behind the curtain. I want to know who Tanner West really is.
39
VANN
Whoever decided spas are only for women was a fool. This is just what we all need. After having our nails done, which for my pack meant having our cuticles pushed back and hands massaged—though I was tempted to get mine painted purple since it’s Raven’s favorite color—we ended up in the baths. The place has ice baths, hot tubs, and even a mud bath. Rhodes and I were the only two brave enough to try that last one. I don’t think Rhodes was into it, just curious, and maybe—hopefully—he did it for me. I’ve always liked playing in the dirt. There was something oddly hot and primal about seeing him covered in mud. Made me want to roll around with him. We didn’t stay long, though.
Now I’m relaxing in the sauna with my teammates and my omega. The little wood-lined room is outside of the rest of the spa, across a little courtyard covered in snow. Foster chose to stay outside, refusing to come in even though Raven gave him her puppy-dog eyes. That man is stronger than I am.
“Does he ever relax and have fun?” I ask as the door slowly swings closed and the rest of us sit down on the dark wood benches.
Raven stares at the sliver of Foster she can still see through the window. I don’t think she really wants to be left alone with us, and I hate that.
“Who?” she asks as she pulls her towel up a little tighter. She’s wearing a swimsuit underneath, but she keeps adjusting the towel like she’s nervous we’ll catch a glimpse of something. Man, I wish we could. Wonder if she can tell I took off my trunks and am naked under here now.
“Mr. Suit-wearing Bodyguard.” I sigh dreamily and pretend to swoon. “I really want to see that man in grey sweatpants.” Or nothing but a towel. He’s worn his suit the whole time we’ve been here.
Raven gives me a conspiratorial grin and leans closer, clearly forgetting for a moment that she doesn’t like me. “It’s every bit as hot as you’re imagining.”
“Shit, I’m coming to your place, then. That man could probably get me pregnant with just his smolder.” I bump my shoulder playfully against hers.
She gives me a shy smile before seeming to realize how close we’re sitting and scooting away. I look to Rhodes, who’s staring at the tiny window in the door with his lips turned down. Did he not like my comment about the bodyguard? Is he jealous? It may make me a dick, but part of me hopes he is.
“Vann. You can’t get pregnant," Tanner deadpans.
Why’s he always gotta ruin my fun?
“Did you know chainsaws were first invented for childbirth?” Rhodes sayscasually.
“What the fuck?!” Orion and Tanner exclaim at the same time.
Rhodes shrugs. “Yeah, they were made to… you know… cut throu?—”
I cut him off. “No. Nope! That is one random fact we don’t need you to expand on Rhodes. Good god, now I need brain bleach to wipe that from my mind or I’ll have nightmares later.”
“Did you know sea otters hold hands while they sleep to avoid drifting apart?” Raven pipes up.
I yank my gaze to her, incredulous that she just matched Rhodes’ random fact spouting.
“I’m gonna get whiplash from this conversation,” Tanner mumbles, pinching the bridge of his nose. The man can’t help his smile, though.
“Y’all are like a nerdy match made in heaven. You’d kill at trivia night,” Orion says.
Now it’s Raven’s turn to shrug. “Vann said he needed to think about something different. And otters are cuter than chainsaws, right?” She sends a coy look to Rhodes.
