Page 62

Tenzin

“ T hank you for taking the time to meet with me. I appreciate it.” I shook hands with the expert I’d just had dinner with.

“My pleasure,” the alpha replied, gathering his things. “I’m happy to help.”

I left the restaurant, feeling bad that I’d arrived late to Gwen’s game and had to leave early. Trying to track down this expert had been difficult, and he was only in New York for a short time.

While betas suffered when bonds with their alphas broke, no one seemed to care. Most of the research and services focused on omegas, since their bonds were two-way. There was a difference between breaking a bond and breaking a bond with your scent match when they died –though both were painful.

And dead-matches? Most people thought it was a fairytale. And two betas dead-matches bonding? Impossible.

Which was why I’d been so grateful he’d made time for me. He was one of the few researchers in the world studying dead-matches and the only one willing to talk to me without offering Gwen up as a subject. Dinner had been quite educational.

Also, heart-wrenching.

Gwen

Come to Tito’s? I won the game!

Yes, I’d stop by for a few moments. I missed Gwen and Clark so much. Thank goodness they were being patient with me. Between therapy and being depressed, I wasn’t fun to be around–or wanting to be around people much.

Knights and university students crowded Tito’s. I looked around for Gwen among the sea of bodies.

“Bucket, there you are.” Carlos waved me down, and I joined him, Dimitri, Vickers, and Anders. It looked like Gwen was sitting with Mercy. I didn’t see Clark.

“Hey.” I felt like I was settling in with my new team. Our season started in a couple of days.

“I think when we hit Glitter City I should rent out the champagne room at the Luscious again,” Carlos looked at me and Vickers. “You’re not a real Knight until you have a lap dance.”

Vickers grinned. “Count me in. We just have to send my wife a video.”

He’d been a great resource, given he had an infant. I felt bad confiding in someone I barely knew, when I hadn’t told Clark and Gwen. But I needed someone other than Cooter to talk to about this. The only babies he knew about were horse babies.

I shook my head. “I’ll pass.”

Not interested in strip clubs, lap dances, or Carlos’ hazing. Especially if it ended up with getting my dick pierced. While Clark’s cock looked lovely with hardware, I had zero interest, unless Gwen explicitly asked me.

“Oh, so you take me to the piercing place and they get a lap dance?” Clark came over to us, frowning.

“You got a lap dance, too. Please, take them to get pierced or tattooed. We’ll go with you,” Carlos replied.

Clark shook his head. “I don’t feel the need to haze someone just because I was. What do you like to do in Glitter City, Tens? I’ve always wanted to go to the Defender League Experience.”

Glitter City was an oasis in the high desert of decadence, gambling, and shows–and not my choice for vacation spots. There was supposed to be some lovely hiking though.

I pondered this for a moment. “I’d love to see the Gugette, but it’s always closed by the time we get to the hotel after the game and never open before we leave.”

The Gugette was a satellite museum of the Guges Art Museum in France. It was in the L’Elegancia Hotel. I’d been to the main one in Paris, and it was wonderful.

“Museum?” Carlos snorted.

“Museums are nice,” Dimitri replied with a shrug.

“I’m going to get a beer,” I told them, leaving the table to go to the bar.

Clark followed me. “Hey, Gwen’s having a tough night. Make sure she knows you’re here?”

“Of course. What happened? Didn’t they win?” I frowned as I ordered a beer from the bartender.

“Windy pushed her.” Clark told me what had happened.

“I’m so sorry I wasn’t there.” Guilt flickered through me. At the same time, if I hadn’t made time to meet up with him, I wouldn’t have had the chance for months.

I had an alpha need to be able to take care of her as much as I needed to be able to properly take care of my son. Whoops, I was supposed to pick up those baby-care books I had on hold at the library.

“Tens.” Gwen’s face brightened, like the sun coming out from behind the clouds, as she walked over to us. “You came.”

“Apologies for having to leave the game early. You looked great out there,” I praised. She smelled of beer and sadness, and I wanted to hug her. Something about her seemed like she didn’t want to be hugged right now.

“I… I think I have an agent. Thank you so much for all your help.” She told me about Stu Thomas coming to her game. Venture was a top-tier agency.

“I’m so proud of you. Congratulations.” I was so happy for her. He had a great reputation.

The three of us sat down at a table and Gwen told me about everything that was going on.

“What about you? Is everything okay?” The pleading notes in her voice tugged at my very soul.

“I’m fine. There’s so much going on with the season starting and a bunch of other things,” I assured, disliking her worrying about me. “Cooter says hi . So does my sister.”

Who still didn’t know I was going to be a dad.

“Okay. Want to talk about it?” She bit her lower lip as she absently rubbed the scar on her forehead.

“Not yet. I appreciate your patience,” I told her.

Clark seemed a little broody as he sat with his arm around her. At least they had each other.

“Do I wear a tux to the dinner? I’m excited to go with you.” I couldn’t find my tux anywhere, so I’d need to get another. Maybe it was at Cooter’s. At least I’d gotten that shoe sponsor and we’d be doing a photo shoot. It was incredible they’d wanted me, considering we didn’t wear shoes when we played.

It was partially to promote their larger-size line, and I did have enormous feet, even for an alpha.

Gwen brightened. “You’re still going?”

“Of course I am. I wouldn’t miss it for anything.” It was nice of them to invite me. Sure, it was a party essentially celebrating my loss, since the Knights had beaten the Sasquatches in the finals to win the championship, but it would be nice to be with them.

Clark nodded. “It’s a tux thing. Gwen’s got a fancy dress.”

Ooh, I couldn’t wait to see her in it.

“Can we go dancing soon?” she asked. “I miss doing things with you.”

“Me, too. Soon. I’m sorry I’ve been so busy.” I felt bad about it. Once the season began, I'd have even less time than I had now.

“It’s okay.” Gwen looked so sad. “Can you come over and watch a movie?”

“I can’t tonight. I’m sorry.” There were lawyer things I still needed to do. Also, I had a meeting with Yeti Soap Co. in the morning, since they wanted to do some holiday stuff.

“Okay.” Her shoulders slumped. “I’m happy you’re here.”

“Me, too.” Soon I could be more for her, like she needed.

I just had to finish getting my shit together first. Like my son, they deserved the best me–and right now I wasn’t it.