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Chapter Twenty-Nine

“ W hy exactly are we here again?” Emma asks, lips puckering as though she’s just sucked on a lemon, and I don’t blame her one bit. The baseball stadium looms before us, and after what happened here last time, the whole experience has been soured.

The gray walls don’t seem to hold the same warmth and nostalgia they usually do, not after last time. But Miller invited us, asked me to sit in my favorite seats, and promised this would be a totally different experience. So even though my palms are sweating, I’m here.

“Miller said it was a courting gift. I didn’t want to say no,” I explain with a shrug. At that, Emma’s frown turns upside down, and her demeanor changes. Even Mari perks up, peering around like a marching band is going to appear out of nowhere and serenade us.

Knowing Miller, it just might.

These past weeks with my parents gone have been an absolute dream. Miller and I have spent so much time together hiding behind the guise of ‘driving lessons.’ While he has been teaching me to drive, that hasn’t been the only exploring we’ve done. Not to mention all the fun surprises, little treats, and days spent indulging in the joy of being together. Somehow, Owen’s remained oblivious, and my parents have even been more relaxed about my needing someone to stay with me. The team had a few away games, and the dads settled for an evening call and a promise I wouldn’t leave the house.

“That’s so sweet,” Mari swoons. “Courting is such an old-fashioned idea, but I love how much he’s been wooing you!” Emma gives me a hip check, then threads her arm through mine as we head into the building.

The security guard checks our tickets and waves us in without any commentary, and suddenly, we’re sucked into the packed hallways. Fans shuffle around us, completely focused on getting souvenirs and snacks before the first pitch is thrown.

“Where do you want to go first?” Emma practically shouts, curling closer to us and holding on tight.

“Let’s go straight to the seats. Miller said he took care of everything.” Throwing my shoulders back, I proudly wear the deep blue ‘Phillips’ jersey with the number 7 emblazoned on it. Miller gave it to me when he asked me to come to the game, and although it feels strange to declare our relationship so publicly, I kind of love it. Yeah, there are tons of other fans wearing it here today, but none of them have the words ‘My Puff’ stitched into the lining.

“Sounds good. He better have good taste in snacks,” Emma warns, slicing her finger across her throat. Mari snorts at the dramatics, finally looking a bit more like herself, and I decide once we sit down, I’m going to find out what’s going on with her. This time, I’m not take no for an answer.

Shuffling through the throngs of fans, we make our way to the gate and down the narrow hallway until the lush green field comes into view, sending a thrill through me. To my great disappointment, the players aren’t out there yet, but it’s only a matter of time.

A friendly-looking woman who smiles at us has replaced the usual sour-faced beta who guards the entrance.

“Good afternoon!” she chirps, holding her hand out for our tickets, which I show her. Seeing the stamp in the corner, her eyes widen. “Welcome, Ms. Moore. Mr. Phillips gave me this note for you.”

She hands me a sealed envelope and steps aside as we make our way into the stands. Our seats are the same as always, right behind the dugout, but everything else about the section seems different. The entire row is empty, as is the one in front of and behind us, while the rest of the seats are brimming with happy families and smiling children .

“Did Miller buy out three rows of seats so no one can sit near us?” Emma asks with a laugh as we snag our usual seats. Her eyes sparkle with glee as she takes in the sheer level of ridiculousness.

“Open the letter!” Mari insists, sliding onto the seat on my other side. They both lean toward me as I open the crisp white envelope with trembling hands.

The sound of the ripping paper echoes loudly, and I pull out the note.

Puff,

I’m so happy you’re here. I had the rest of the seats in your section donated to women’s and children’s charities. There shouldn’t be any unbonded Alphas nearby to bother you. The server will get you and the girls anything you want.

Come meet me outside the locker room after the game. Please.

I love you.

Miller

“That’s too cute,” Mari squeals, grabbing my arm with a shake. And I gulp at the thoughtfulness of it all. He bought out the entire section to keep me safe. Tears cloud my vision, and warmth surrounds my heart. No one has ever made me feel so cherished before, so looked after.

Someone clears their throat and the three of us snap our heads toward the noise to find another smiling beta woman with her arms weighed down by large bags.

“Mr. Phillips sent these,” she explains, passing them to us.

“Thank you,” I say, floored that there’s more .

“He has some other things being sent throughout the game, but please let me know if there’s anything you want at all. You can raise your arm or simply press this button, and it will page me,” she adds, passing over a small remote. “Can I get you something to drink?”

We all place a drink order before she disappears, then rip into the bags.

“Oh, my goodness, he thought of everything ,” Emma giggles, looking at the blankets, candies, and even a little plush baseball bat. “The man may just be growing on me.”

“I can’t believe he did all this,” I whisper, truly blown away. Everything in the bags is something I love. My favorite caramels, gummy rings, even something to snuggle—he didn’t miss a thing. I drape the super-soft blanket over my legs and hug the plush to my chest.

“I can’t believe he’s spoiling us, too,” Mari pipes up. “Definitely a keeper.”

“Spoiling us? Or trying to bribe us for stealing Posie?” Emma jokes, throwing her head back. I bump her with my shoulder.

“You know you like him.” I use my bat to poke her in the side.

“Yes. Yes, I approve.” Emma swats me back with hers.

“Well, that’s good since he’s my scent match,” I confess, mind swirling with warm fuzzy feelings as the players make their way out onto the field.

“Puts that prick Alex in the dust,” Emma agrees. “Is he still calling you?”

“He’s texted me once or twice since I told him I wasn’t interested. He seemed a little sore about the whole thing, and they still charged me for the driving classes I canceled. But honestly, I just hope poor Bert got paid. Since then, I’ve ignored the random messages he sends. Why? Has he been bothering you?” The players stream onto the green in their dark-blue jerseys and gray pants, and I wait with bated breath to see my guy appear. Emma answers, but I don’t hear any of it because he’s here, and it’s like all the oxygen has been sucked out of the stadium.

The sun streams down, making Miller seem like a god, his thick, muscled arms rippling. He carries his mask and mitt, but the second he enters his head snaps toward the stands, finding me like a homing beacon.

I bite my lip under the heat of his gaze, my body instantly responding to my mate. My nipples pucker, and I’m thankful I wore thick, slick-neutralizing panties because they soak immediately. A blush spreads across my cheeks, and he grins wickedly, knowing what his appearance does to me.

Miller waves with his mitt, and I wish I could run out there, fling myself into his arms, and bury my nose in the crook of his neck to try to scent him. I usually can’t without tasting him first, but every once in a while, it happens…

“Well, it’s official. Our fair omega is in love and off the market,” Emma snickers, knocking into me and I can’t help but grin and nod in agreement.

The players warm up, tossing some balls around. My eyes remain trained on Miller, completely unable to look away from all his sexy, muscled glory. He stretches out his hips, and my brain short circuits, remembering how those hips feel clapping against mine .

“I’m so happy for you, Posie,” Mari says earnestly, her voice falling. The sadness there is enough to grab my attention. “I hope I’ll get to see you mated.”

“Okay, it’s time to spill,” I demand. “What in the world is going on, Mari? Why does it feel like you’re saying goodbye?”

Mari plays with the edge of her blanket, fidgeting to avoid the situation, but our resident bulldog won’t let her get off that easily.

“Now, Mari. Whatever it is, you know we’re here for you,” Emma insists, but her demeanor pushes the right buttons, getting our gentle friend to open up.

Mari tugs at her hair before shoving it behind her ear and finally lifting her chin to meet us head-on. Dark rings surround her eyes, standing out on her pale face, and she swallows audibly before beginning. My gut churns as we wait, the tension heavy.

“Well, remember how I told you my sister was pregnant again? And her first baby is only four months old…” she stalls out, seeming unsure how to continue.

“Yeah. She lives in Guardious with those shitbag Alphas who keep her locked in the house,” Emma snarls, and I nod, giving Mari my undivided attention even as Owen steps up to the mound and the game begins.

“Well, she’s been having a rough pregnancy. Super sick, unable to leave bed, and all that misery. Anyway, her Alphas have requested that I join them to help take care of the baby. Kind of like a nanny…” she chokes off, her voice breaking. Mari rubs her eyes frantically, trying to hide the tears that spill, but I see them anyway and tug her toward me .

“You don’t have to go, though. Right? You’re an adult,” Emma asks.

“My parents are threatening to pull my funding for college and the apartment if I don’t go and help. Annabelle’s Alphas are being very insistent.” Her shoulders droop in defeat, and she leans her head against my shoulder.

“But you’re only one semester away from graduating,” I gasp, horrified. All Mari’s ever wanted was a degree in nursing. She’s incredibly smart and has done everything possible to fast-track her studies. Her grades are top-notch, and she’s finished nearly a year ahead.

“They don’t care. Said I can finish at some university in Guardious—Malwood or something,” she mutters, her jaw locking with rage.

“Why can’t your mom help? She doesn’t even work,” Emma folds her arms, anger radiating from her. Mari’s mom is a bit of a bitch, but that’s such a good point. If she cares so much about helping Annabelle, then why isn’t she already on a plane? Why upend Mari’s whole life and send her to another continent? “Surely it would be safer for her since she’s bonded. If you present as an omega there, you’ll be royally fucked.”

“Or auctioned,” Mari reminds us with an audible gulp.

“Fuck that. Tell them no. If money’s the problem, I’ll take care of it,” I promise.

“I can’t ask you to do that.” Mari sits up, crossing her arms over her stomach, but there’s hope in her eyes.

“You didn’t ask. I offered,” I insist. “I can cover it without thinking twice. You’re my best friend, Mari. You can’t leave. ”

“Yeah. And I can take over the rent. So that’s living and tuition. You don’t need anything to change. Tell your parents to take a hike,” Emma adds. Her family is ridiculously wealthy. They won’t even notice Mari’s missing rent payments.

With a happy squeal, Mari throws herself across us to create the world’s most awkward three-way hug. The weight she’s been carrying on her shoulders visibly lifts, and when she sits back in her seat, her body vibrates as she shoots off several texts.

“I’m putting my foot down. Telling them I’m finishing school first,” she explains with a radiant smile. “If Annabelle needs us, she can come back here, and I’ll be all too happy to take care of her.”

Once she’s done, she powers down the phone with a gleeful shout and we turn our attention back toward the game. The Feral Feckers are up 3-1, and it’s their turn to bat. The sensation of being stared at makes me look toward the dugout. Miller is there with a smile and a wink, and my body heats at his attention. Pressing my fingers to my lips, I blow him a kiss, and the cheeseball pretends to catch it and put it in his pocket.

Gah, I love him so much.

Crimson notices the exchange and frowns, but he’s called up to bat. Dragging his feet to the plate, he glares at Miller, eyes flicking back and forth between us in confusion. Shit. But it was bound to happen—neither of us wanted to hide our relationship for long.

The usher returns carrying churros and caramel sauce for us, and I can’t help but laugh at Miller’s wolfish grin as he watches me dig in .

“Ugh, not sure if I can eat these… like ever again,” Emma complains, and Mari spits the churro out into her napkin, laughing so hard that she doubles over.

That’s fine. All mine.