“Just trying to ask you on a date.” He raises a shoulder. “And failing.”
“I’d love to go on a date with you.”
“I’ll plan something for as soon as you and Adler are able to be farther apart.” He squeezes my hand, his cheeks turning a sexy shade of pink that I highly doubt is caused by the cold.
“Plenty of time for you to stock up on bug spray, then,” I tease, clutching my stomach as it rumbles loudly. I just scarfed down a bagel, so how am I already hungry again?
As if on cue, Luca pulls his backpack onto his lap to pull out a thermos. “Tropical Mocha from the Tea House?” He also pulls out a Tupperware box full of slightly squashed, delicious-looking, golden cinnamon buns. “Or one of their famouscinnamon buns? You have to keep yourself fueled. People say that the post-bonding period uses as much energy daily as running a marathon.”
“Oh my gosh, you’re amazing. Yes to both!” I groan at the caramelized, brown sugar scent as he cracks open the box, greedily snatching one up before tearing into it with my teeth. “These are so good!” I wipe sugar from my top lip as Luca passes me the thermos. The coconut and espresso liquid warms my throat as I swallow, leaving a slight hint of mango syrup on my tongue. “Tae—my bestie Delilah’s packmate—works at the Tea House, and he always makes the best drinks.”
We settle in to watch the rest of practice, shouting words of encouragement in Adler’s direction. Luca knows all the players and gives me a blow-by-blow account of their histories, pointing out their strengths and weaknesses. Being in his company is effortless.
“And what can Adler improve on?”
Luca rubs his chin. “He can probably work on his flexibility.”
“Well, that I can help him with,” I declare.
“I’m sure you could.” His tone is laced with mischief.
“I wasn’t talking about some crazy Kama Sutra.” I swat his arm, although I love that I’m seeing his playful side. “I was talking about yoga. You should come with me sometime too. As soon as the bond settles, I’m arranging for all of the pack to come to my next hot yoga class.”
Luca snorts. “I’m not sure I can see Orin agreeing to hot yoga.”
I lick sugar from my fingertips. “I can be very persuasive.”
When Coach Tanner’s whistle signals the end of practice, we move down to wait for Adler to change. We’re not the only ones waiting; the moody-ass cheering squad is hanging around like a bad smell, like they don’t have anything better to do.
“So?” Not long later, having showered and changed in record speed, a panting Adler joins us. “What did you think?”
“I’m excited to see a real game,” I reply. “Luca’s been teaching me the rules.”
Luca nods. “She’s a quick learner.”
From behind us, raised voices grow closer.
“You can’t come through here!” An exasperated facility manager is trying—and failing—to block a group of guys from coming through the players’ entrance.
“I’m here for my sister,” a familiar voice booms.
Oh, shit…
“Sabs?” Adler’s firm hands grip my shoulders. “Are you okay?”
Luca swivels in the direction of the commotion. A red-headed alpha I know all too well is storming toward us, arms pumping at his sides. Laz doesn’t look very intimidating in his Pac Man graphic tee, but I’ve never seen him so angry. And worse still? He’s not alone. Damon is busy trying to placate the facility manager by flashing his SVU security badge while Cole is marching behind Laz, wearing a stern expression that spells trouble.
I brace myself. “Things are about to get ugly.”
Adler’s entire body tenses. “Is that your…?”
Before I get a chance to answer, Laz’s furious gaze locks on Adler, and he jabs a finger in his direction. “You! What did you do to my sister?”
“Look, man…” Adler’s gone very pale. “It’s not what you?—”
“You bit her!” Laz points at my neck. “I can see your mark right there!”
“Laz! That’s enough!” I stand in front of Adler. Although Laz is deceptively strong, he’d probably break his hand if he tried to punch Adler. “You need to calm down and take a beat.”
