I will, however, be excusing myself from them to either mingle with other people or hide for the rest of the night because I’m so done being around these pricks.
“Oh, look, my stepdad. I’m going to say hi,” I tell Clifford, who’s kept me tied to his hip like a damn trophy.
Before he can say anything, I rip myself away and bolt for Elliot.
“Elliot,” I say a little too loudly and with too much excitement.
“Addie,” he chuckles. “Everything okay?”
“No,” I groan. “Help me. Please,” I beg.
His face falls. “What’s wrong?”
“If I have to be around those Alphas for one more moment, I’m going to stab them, and I don’t think even you could bail me out of jail.”
“That bad, huh?” He gives me a sympathetic look.
“Worse. Look, I really, really appreciate everything you’ve done for me by letting me stay at your house, but it looks like I might not be staying much longer. I refuse to go on any more dates with those Alphas, and I know when my mother finds out, she’s going to lose it and kick me out. I just can’t, Elliot. I can’t.” I’m sounding frantic now, maybe even on the verge of tears.
“Hey.” He puts his hands on my shoulders. “Breathe. You’re not going to be kicked out. If they really are that bad, I’ll talk to her, okay? See if you can meet with another pack.”
“Why can’t you just tell her I won’t do it? Let me stay either way.”
He gives me a sad smile that I hate.
“Have you tried going on dates, outside the ones your mother sets you up on?”
My brows pull together. “No...”
"It wouldn't hurt to try. Who knows, maybe you’d meet someone you like? And if you hit it off fast, she can’t make you pack up with her pick if you already have a pack. You know what I mean?” He stares at me until it clicks.
“Ahhhhh. So if I found someone, maybe got all marked and mated up, she can’t drive me to be with the awful Alphas she's trying to pawn me off on. I get it, I get it. I like it. But also, not how I work.”
“In a few days, she will be gone for a month. You could use that time. At least it’s something, right?”
“I mean, yeah.”
“Addison!” I hear Clifford’s voice and panic.
“Oh shit. I gotta go hide. Bye.” I duck behind my stepdad and make my way through the crowd. Mingling is out of the question. Looks like I got myself a stalker. And not even the fun kind!
Chapter 8
Reid
I’m nodding my head along, giving the occasional sound that I’m invested in whatever this lady is talking about.
Unfortunately, I’m not. I’m trying to be, I really am. It’s the respectful thing to do, but Carson and I have been here for an hour now, and I think we’ve listened to one too many stories that have nothing to do with this charity, hockey, or sports in general.
Marilyn said to make a good impression for our team, and I think we have so far. We’ve let anyone who stopped us talk about whatever their heart desires. But how am I supposed to chat up our team and let them know how much we support this cause if the charity director only wants to talk about her summer trip to the Bahamas?
I look around the room for Carson and find him standing with a group of guys. As if he can feel my eyes on him, he turns his head toward me. Eyes locked on me, he mouths, ‘Help me’.
I try not to laugh. Poor guy has had just about enough. He’s been on his best behavior, I’ll give him that.
There’s a break in our conversation, and I take the chance to excuse myself.
“It was wonderful talking to you, but my friend needs me.” I smile politely at the woman. She pays no mind and starts talking away to the man next to her about her dogs.
