Dimitri took a step back
“Belikov, that’s not how things work here and you know it.” Coach narrowed his eyes at Dimitri, then turned to Ivanov. “No fighting with yourteammates.”
“I know you hate me, but I expected better of you,” Dimitri said to Ivan in English. Giving him a hard glance, he stalked off, knocking Ivan with his shoulder as he went towards the big room, where we had our meetings.
Ivanov looked… wounded as he muttered something quietly in Russian.
Yeah, I didn’t get the idea that they hated each other at all.
At lunch, I went through the buffet in our dining room. This was also a hangout room with ping pong, air hockey, and a TV. A bunch of photos hung on the walls of noted players, including one that had a necklace made of noodles on it, which was some kind of special goalie thing.
I piled my plate with chicken, beef, shrimp, rice, and beans, then grabbed a slice of cake, and a soda, then headed to our usual table, Anders, Clark, and Grif following.
Chef had all sorts of fajitas for us today, which seemed an easy way to satisfy all the different dietary requirements for the team. Each designation had different nutritional needs. Like kappas needed more caffeine and sugar than other designations.
Before I could wave Dimitri over, Ivanov sat down with us.
“Is this where the forwards sit?” he asked, accent much thicker than Dimitri’s.
“You can sit wherever you want. I’m Grif, that’s Clark, Anders, and Carlos,” Grif introduced.
“Yes, I know the Grif Graf. You are the standard to which forwards are held,” Ivanov said solemnly. He looked around. “I do not see the Ladybug. Her videos are amusing.”
Gwen made videos of herself figure skating with hockey equipment.
“Gwen, Ladybug, has a new team, she’s a Tigre now,” Clark said proudly.
“My cousin says she’s doing great,” I added.
“You know, I think you live in my building. You moved inyesterday?” Clark asked.
“I live in a building with many hockey players. But I have not met anyone other than the bald one with the baby.” Ivanov nodded.
Vickers, probably. One of our defenders.
“Tenzin and I both live there, but we’re about to move out. We just bought a place,” Clark replied. “Anders lives there, too. As does Castle, she’s another forward.” He looked at me. “How’s your place coming along? Moving in and remodeling our place seems daunting.”
“Honestly, it’s going great. But then I have an omega who can shop at a speed I can’t fathom and has the ability to bring in people for the world’s fastest remodels,” I replied.
“We have a few of them if you need recs,” Grif replied.
“Oh, you all have packs?” Ivanov looked sad.
“I have a pack. Carlos is forming his pack, and Clark’s in a serious relationship with Ladybug and Tenzin–who’s that really tall defender,” Grif replied.
“Ah, the Yeti. I am familiar.” Ivanov nodded.
Wow, had he studied our team, or were some of the Knights just famous in Russia?
“I don’t have a pack.” Anders shrugged. He fucked a lot of betas. I wasn’t sure if he was still with his on-again-off-again girlfriend who lived in Sweden.
“Did you bring anyone over with you from Russia?” Clark added.
“I do have someone who's not here.” His shoulders fell in defeat.
Probably travel visas or something. One of the good things about Gwen being on the road was that it gave the team a hot minute to work out her permission to work in Mexico.
Vickers sat down and joined us. “Ivan, my man, we’re probably going to Tito’s in a little bit. It’s the bar we go to. You should come. Carlos, I don’t think I ever told you congratulations. That onewith the dark hair. Woo wee.”
