Page 38 of Knot Your Rebel

There’s an initial hesitance, but she doesn’t do or say anything other than just yes. Maybe she knows I just need this tonight, no questions asked.

She stands with her arms crossed, her foot tapping lightly against the hardwood. “Yes, but… I need you to pose for me.”

My brows furrow. “Pose for what?”

She shrugs nonchalantly. “My photography class. The professor asked us to work on our silhouette stories. Which is basically photographing backlit subjects to look at contrast or something like that.”

Right, I keep forgetting that Nova picked up some extra classes in the afternoons this semester. I couldn’t tell you what the exact title is she’s going for, but it’s photography and arts related. I’m proud of her. Maybe now that I’m free of Brad, I’ll go back to school.

Hmm. Hope flits through her eyes. “Sure, drinks will give me some liquid courage.”

“It’s not like I’m planning to upload them for the world to see or anything. It’ll just be my class.”

“Nova, girl.” I reach out to grab her hand and giggle. “Chill, I’m cool with it.”

Her smile spreads those perfect lips of hers. “Really? You’re the freaking best, Rebel.”

My eyes find the box full of electronic equipment on my bed where it’s been lying since I deposited the last camera in it. “Yep, there are a couple of places I need to run before all that happens.”

She leans past me, following my line of vision. “Are we making a little detour to the arena?”

“Absolutely.” I grin back at her.

We take Nova’s car to Ozark Arena. The guys should be in practice right now, so I’m planning on just leaving a little gift for my mate. My stupid heart bleeps out what seems like a sigh, and I have to just calm down. We’re going to take care of this… somehow…

She slows as the front doors to the arena come into view and pulls into the first spot before putting the car into park.

A steady breeze whips through my hair as I get out of the car, and I have to blow it out of my mouth. I close my door and try to open the back one. “Hey, Nov. Can you unlock the back door for me?”]

“Sure thing.” She looks over and hits the button on her keys, releasing the door.

The parking lot looks grave; a desolate swelling today like an afternoon funeral procession. Material dips and sways with the small breeze swimming around us. I’m assuming they’re just tiny pieces of trash from the games this past weekend. The empty lot is not surprising given that it's not a game day.

After grabbing my stuff from the back seat, we head toward the arena. Nova buzzes herself in with her badge, and we make the long trek down the hallway.

“Hey, Nova. Didn’t expect to see you here today. Ya forget something on Saturday night?” A lean man steps through a doorway and into the hall with us. His voice is low and deep like he could really growl you into a coma but also not.

He’s not an alpha. The pheromones are not strong enough if he is, plus, he’s on the shorter, scrawnier side of what an alpha should look like. Not that I’d complain. I’ve been given no reason to judge him.

“Oh…” His eyes dip to me. “Who’s your friend?”

“Hey, Tommy Boy. Just wanted to stop by and drop off a few things.” I can almost see hurt in his deep gray eyes. Is his name not Tommy Boy or does he just not like being called that? It’s one of the two, but I can’t figure it out. I wonder what his story is…

She reaches out and pats him on the arm. “This is Tommy, he’s the equipment manager for the Hellbenders.”

I smile politely. “Nice to meet you…” I shuffle the box holding the cameras in my arms and lift my hand for him to shake, but he looks at it as if it's a poisonous snake that may latch onto his arm at any second. “My apologies for having to put up with those guys.” Nodding towards the arena, he seems to catch my drift as I chuckle.

Rubbing a hand on the back of his neck, a grin threads out between his lips. “Yeah, a bit of a mess most of the time, but they’re good guys. They invite me out to hang even though I’m not one of them, ya? Like… I’m included and not just the equipment manager.”

His words sound harsh, but I understand the look from earlier now. Tommy Boy or Thomas, whatever his true name is, wants to be known as more than just the equipment manager for the Columbus Hellbenders. I get it, boy, do I understand the desire to not be hidden in the shadows. Whether it be because of the family name or your designation in life. I’d been a simple shadow in a corner since I was born, first neglected by my mother, the one person I should’ve been able to count on, and then unwanted by all my parent’s friends and family who took on the care of my siblings but couldn’t be bothered with me.

Or take Brad, for instance… he thought an omega was below both an alpha and a beta. We were slaves who should just be willing to sit back and deal with the card life’s dealt us.

Well, fuck that shit right off a ruddy cliff.

I may be an omega.

I may be happy with my designation.

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