Jackson came over and put his arm around Claire. “Is everything okay?”
“No,” Isobbed.
“Don’t cry. I’m sorry, I really am,” Claire said.
“I’m sorry too, Kai,” Jackson said.
“You also used me. That wholemeeting for drinkswas a set up.” I glared.
Her head hung. “Yes. She asked for photos. I apologize for the deception.”
“We really should go public. People already notice that we’re here together. Is it really that big of a deal? I mean, I’m a good guy. I’m not going to tarnish your image that much, am I?” Jackson’s voice went raw.
Her image?
My eyebrows rose. “You’re worried that dating a country music star is going to tarnish your image, yet you left me in a bar at the mercy of strange alphas. Do you know how people would react to that?”
Her look went stricken. “Please don’t. I’m so sorry.” She sighed. “My manager doesn’t want people to know I’m dating because it ruins the fantasy that I’m obtainable. I don’t like it, but I don’t want them to ruin my career simply because I fell in love.” She sniffed and buried her face in Jackson’s chest. He wrapped his arms around her.
“You have me. I know how things work. Like I’ve said, we can figure this out,” Jackson assured.
“Wow, that’s shitty. I’m not gonna blast you on social media. I understand that you were trying to protect yourself and the person you care about. You had good intentions. You just didn’t think through it very well and hurt me in the process,” I replied. Honestly, I could see that happening, too. I had an actor friend back in LA who’s agent made her date her co-star for the press.
“I’m sorry we hurt you. I’d like to let you know that you were never in any danger. Those two are good guys,” Jackson replied.
“I forgive you. I’m just really upset.” Where did I even go from here?
“I’m really sorry, Kai. If there's any way I can make it up to you, please let me know. I was just doing for you what I would want someone to do for me. I should’ve just been honest from the beginning,” Claire pleaded.
“You would want someone to hook you up with hot random strangers to go do fun things over spring break after you had a break up?” I gave her a puzzled look.
“Of course. That’s what friends are for. Omegas stick together.” She nodded brightly.
Everything made sense now. I truly believed that Claire thought she was doing this out of kindness and omega solidarity, even if she didn’t do it quite right.
Even if I got hurt along the way.
Her good intentions didn’t absolve her, but it did explain her actions. Part of me rested easy knowing that there were absolutely no ill intentions, just recklessness. A spoiled omega used to getting her way and not facing consequences.
She put a hand on my shoulder. “I’m really sorry. I just wanted you to have fun and have nice pictures for your socials. Make everyone jealous that you had a holiday hook up with two hockey players. They may have originally mistaken you, but you’re not the wrong omega, Kai. Everything led them right to you.”
“I’ve got to go.” I sighed.
“Do you want us to walk you back to your seat? Do you need anything?” Jackson said
“I’m fine.” No, there was nothing that they could do. I left the fancy box and went into the bathroom and cried again.
I wanted to believe everything that she said was absolutely true. After all, if there weren’t sparks, they didn’t have to continue taking me out. Yet they did.
It still didn’t make me feel any better.
Before I left, I had to tell them the truth. It was only right, especially since they wanted to make plans to do things this summer. I didn’t want them to feel obligated to do that. I didn’t want them to continue doing things with the wrong person.
I returned to my seat right as the game restarted.
“Who made you cry?” Auntie Kiki demanded. “If it was those boys, I’ll throw things at them while they’re on the ice.”
“Thank you, Auntie, but I think that might get us thrown out. It wasn’t them.” I leaned into her and stayed quiet.
