Page 154 of Power Shift

It’s all on me instead. And there’s no better place for it.

48

BRIAR

I checkmy phone and send off another reply to Clover before slipping past the groups of omegas and into a small hall. It’s empty and quiet here, and I use the small break in the endless crowd to catch my breath.

The game ended around twenty minutes ago, but I’m all turned around, mixed in with every designation here tonight. Being so close to the ice meant having to climb up tens of rows to the exit, and by the time I got to the top, so had everyone else in the arena.

Clover texts back instantly, her worry intensifying mine.

Clover: She’s incredibly uncomfortable. I’m going to do a cervix check and get back to you.

Me: How’s baby?

Clover: Both baby and Sadie are okay. Will update in a few.

We’ve been waiting for Sadie to go into labour for what feels like ages. It’s a terrible coincidence that it would happen on a night where I’m not simply curled up in bed watching a movie, wanting something exciting to happen. Clover isn’t positive yet, but when she texted halfway through the third period, telling meSadie’d called her with concerns, I had this gut feeling that the baby was coming tonight.

It’s still too early for the guys to be ready to leave, and honestly, I doubt I could find them in this place even if they were. I have no idea where I’m going.

They’re probably too busy to check their phones if I called, either.

I try anyway. Jasper’s contact name flashes on the screen as I call and wait, the dial tone drowned out with the noise around me. With the volume all the way up, I press it hard against my ear to hear.

Seconds go by before I get his voicemail. My chest deflates as I lean against the wall and try not to freak out.

I’m one more loud laugh away from ducking out of my hideout and booking it out of the arena when my phone starts buzzing. Landon’s name pops up on the screen.

“Oh, my god. I was so close to needing to bribe someone to smuggle me out of here,” I ramble, not bothering with a normal greeting.

“What’s wrong?” Landon asks, his voice like a whip.

“It’s just really busy in the walkways. I think I’m lost.”

“I’m sorry, Haven. I should have sent someone to your seat before the game ended.”

“Don’t apologize. I’m a big girl. Just a little confused on how to get out of here and to where you are.”

I had Clover with me the last time I was here, and while we did get a little lost, she’s always been the one who isn’t afraid to stop someone and ask for help. That’s just not me.

Speaking to a stranger—let alone asking one for help with something—makes my skin clammy. It’s a dramatic and annoying quirk at times, but I’ve long since accepted it and all my other annoying quirks.

“What’s close by? Describe what’s around you,” Landon demands.

I stick my head out of my hideout and search for an answer to give him. Other than an exuberant number of people still lingering, I can only make out an exit door with a street number above it and a top-to-bottom mural of . . . Dash?

“I’m beside Dash,” I say.

“He made it to you?”

Shaking my head, I step back into the hall. “No, I meant that I’m beside a wall with Dash painted on it.”

“Alright. You’re not too far away, then. If you’re staring at the mural, you need to go right and then straight until you see a security entrance. There should be someone guarding it.”

“I’m heading that way now. What do I say when I get there? Please let me in?”

Gripping my phone tightly, I slip out of the hall and into the crowd. Luckily, they’re all moving the opposite way and have started to cluster on the furthest side of the walkway. I have more room to breathe this time.

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