“Every time we try to say we’re not going to do something, here comes fate to show us she’s a petty bitch who wants to prove us wrong.”
Our laughter drew the attention of all three of my pack mates out on the ice.
“I know that look,” she teased, bumping into my shoulder. “I’ve seen it quite often from mine. Those men have it bad for you.”
“I have it bad, too,” I admitted with a sigh. “I still have my issues, but so do they. And honestly, I think that makes me trust them easier.”
A whistle blew before Hayes was shouting at the team, sending them off to the locker room. “Showers!”
“I’ll let you get to your guys. I’m sure they’re going to be anxious to see you. But maybe we can all meet up for dinner?” she practically begged. “I need more girl time.”
“That would be amazing. Do you think the guys can get along long enough for dinner?” They were some of the biggest rivals in the AHA world.
“The better question is can the world handle seeing them out together?” she countered.
“Let me talk to the guys and see what they suggest. I bet we can come up with something private,” I reassured her.
“Just give me a call. We’ve got a few hours before then.” I watched her stand up and walk away. My chest felt light and happy and the bond echoed it back to me, like they were happy just because I was.
“Get down here, little bat,” Hayes called out as the guys disappeared through the tunnel. I walked around the stadium seats and down to the box.
He reached over, lifting me over before pressing his lips to mine. Sometimes, it felt like they couldn’t wait a single second more and I loved it.
“It’s been way too long since I’ve seen you,” he teased.
“Only since this morning. You better watch it. I might think you’re getting attached, Coach.”
“Oh, I am,” he promised, kissing me again for good measure, his chest rumbling softly. “Who were you talking to up there?”
“Oh, that was Lana Flynn. She’s the girl from the article,” I explained. “She also happens to be my best friend. We met doing the article, but now we’ve gotten a lot closer.”
“Ah, so she’s the competition,” he teased. This time it held no frustration. He truly had let go of his worries and was putting trust in me.
“She actually came down early for the game tomorrow so we could have some time to hang out. I know there’s some rivalry, but it would be really nice if my pack and hers could be friends. Or at least comfortable enough to hang out because your omegas are besties.”
“Point taken, little bat.”
“Which brings us to the issue that there’s nowhere we can really go have dinner together in town without telling the world, ‘Hey, these guys aren’t really rivals’.”
“I’d say the estate, but Kota doesn’t want anyone to know about his wealth,” he added.
“No, he doesn’t,” I agreed. “I have no intentions of pushing him toward anything he doesn’t want.”
“Well, it’s not uncommon for us to get a private room for the team. I may not be able to stop people from coming in and out of the restaurant, but they’re pretty sympathetic to the North Crossing players, giving them a chance to actually enjoy a meal without fans coming up to them. So, I’ll see what I can arrange.”
A smile stretched across my face. “Have I ever told you how much I appreciate you?”
“Not yet, but I do love hearing it.” He grinned. It made him look even younger. My alpha was no longer holding back and it showed.
“Why don’t we go up to my office? Let me gather my things, and then we can get out of here.”
“Sounds good to me. I can edit later tonight anyway.”
He snorted. “I don’t know if I’d bet on that. A certain ever-cheerful delta was talking about us having a pack movie night.”
“That does sound like more fun than editing. Maybe I can do thirty minutes of edits first or something.”
“We can head home now if you want so you have time before dinner,” he offered. I had a feeling he had other ideas but was easily willing to pivot.
