Page 77 of Gigi and the Gym Rats

“I was seventeen when he was born. My high school beta girlfriend was eighteen. I claimed her. She divorced me three years after Zach was born.”

“Oh.”

His dark eyes narrow. Muscles play in his arms as he leans against the machine. “Don’t tell me you came looking for me just to ask me about my son.”

I didn’t, though, I just can’t quite wrap my head around the fact his girlfriend sweetheart was a beta. And he claimed her. And…

“I was… looking for Grey,” I say, distracted, latching on the first excuse I could think of.

“The pretty beta?”

“You know him.” I grin, then frown because wait, is Zayne attracted to Grey? “I mean…”

“He’s not been around all week. I hope he’s okay.” Zayne pushes off the machine, steps closer to me. “In fact, I hoped to see you. Last time things got a little awkward. I realize I didn’t give you much of a chance to reply to my questions, maybe I pushed you a bit too hard.”

“Zayne—”

“And after seeing Ronin, and coming across Casey who looks kind of lost, and not seeing Grey around, I just… I needed to see you, Gigi. We could try?—”

“Zayne, we can’t… can’t do this anymore.”

“We’re not doing anything. I’m only asking you to consider maybe?—”

“No. We can’t.”

“Why not?” His gaze goes flat and opaque, his brows knit. “Gigi?—”

“You need a pack. Won’t settle for me or it will drive you crazy.”

“How would you know that?”

“I’m not what you need, Zayne. It’s biology if nothing else, and I’m a good biology student. Alphas won’t settle for betas, not for long. It’s a fact.”

“That’s not true. You can’t know that.”

“My dad thought the same as you,” I fire back, “and now he’s dead, offed himself two years ago, so don’t tell me what I know and don’t know!”

Whoa.

I take a step back, and another. This wasn’t how this conversation was supposed to go. My heart is racing and sweat is rolling down my back. “Anyway, I can’t. I’m dating someone.”

“What?” Zayne’s frown darkens.

I turn blindly to go, rushing out of the machine room, and find blocking the door, staring at me with wide eyes.

“What did you say?” Ronin asks and his face is pale, twin red splotches on his cheekbones. “You’re dating someone? Who?”

Shit…

* * *

“Let me pass,” I say and after a long moment, Ronin moves aside. He follows me, though, as I march through the gym.

“Gige. What the fuck? Wait.”

“It’s none of your business,” I whisper. I feel dizzy. Am I going to have a panic attack?

I keep my gaze forward, striding through the main hall, heading for the exit. I hadn’t prepared to talk with Ronin about this. As it turns out, I hadn’t been prepared to face any of them.

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