Page 54 of Pack End Game

Why on earth didn't I just call my brother? He knows approximately a gazillion football things.

Spencer shakes his head. "I think we need to revisit this topic soon, and discuss what we need to do to get you up to speed a little more on the game. Seeing as how you're employed by the team."

He's truly perplexed by Freddie's lack of knowledge, which is kind of hilarious.

Spencer is still shaking his head in disbelief as he shifts his body more toward me and reaches out to hold my hand on top of the table. "I want you to know we really appreciate your effort to learn about the sport we love, even if it didn't exactly turn out the way you planned."

Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Zak nod his agreement.

"We don't ultimately care what our teammates think about you," he continues. "Our only goal in introducing you is to show you this part of who we are because a team is a lot like an extended family. And as we mentioned before, hopefully getting the introduction done now will be enough to keep them from harassing us too much when the season is over and we want to hibernate with you in silence for a while."

My heart warms with his reassurance.

His calm in the middle of my mini-crisis is exactly why he's great at being the head of the pack. He isn't easy to rattle, and that instantly helps me feel calmer, too.

I squeeze his hand and quietly tell him, "Thank you."

Most of the time, I feel pretty damn confident in my own skin, but everything about my scent-matches has left me more rattled than usual. Everyone needs the occasional reassurance that they're enough, no matter how confident they may be. I'm no exception.

"I just remembered something else!" Freddie blurts out excitedly, so proud of himself that he jumps out of his chair and slaps his hands down on the table.

I try not to make eye contact with the nearby tables as other people turn to stare at the commotion.

"Shh." Spencer points him back to his seat before asking, "What is it?"

Freddie plops down with a big grin and crosses his arms behind his head cockily. "I just remembered that you guys hate getting The Crabs."

The words make me choke on my own spit. I reach for my water cup and take a long swig to clear my throat.

Zak sighs loudly and makes eye contact with me. "I think what Freddie is trying to say is that he knows the Crabs are our rival team."

"And that's the team we just so happen to be playing in two days," Spencer adds.

My guilt about the naughty eating habits returns as I realize what they're saying. These guys are playing their biggest rivals this week? I can't believe I didn't know!

I've been feeding them junk food, dragging them around on hopeless house tours, and offering absolutely no stress relief. I'm honestly surprised Spencer and Zak don't seem more tense with such an important game coming so soon.

Well, I'm going to turn these tides starting right now.

Tonight, when we get back to my apartment, I'm going to make damn sure our two football stars get the stress relief that they deserve. And I have a good feeling that Freddie won't have any complaints about helping.

Anticipation hums through my body as the door clicks shut behind us. Knowing the topic I’m about to introduce, I take a deep breath and prepare to give the conversation with the pack the care it deserves.

I’ve been very patient and understanding so far about their desire to wait to be too physical, but my patience is wavering.

I cross my arms over my chest and clear my throat pointedly.

Freddie, Spencer, and Zak all turn to look at me expectantly.

After staring in silence for a beat, Zak’s lips tilt up in a smirk as if he knows exactly what’s bothering me. Judging by the overwhelming floral scent wafting off of me, they can all guess, but no one speaks.

I have their full attention. It’s now or never.

“So, is the only hard limit no dick penetration right now?” I finally ask, throwing the hope of a delicate approach out the window. I’m hoping for a follow-up to what happened in the Nest & Knot display room. “Are other sex acts still on the table?”

Freddie giggles like a teenage boy.

The two alphas look at each other with a question in their eyes. Without words, they seem to have an entire conversation. Within seconds, the energy in the room seems to shift dramatically.