AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You’re going to ruin my reputation.”
“It’s hilarious that you think you have anything approaching a ‘tough guy’ reputation. You’re the softest marshmallow in the bag.”
“Nothing but lies and slander in this house.”
Zee laughed, open and loose, the tension having bled from his shoulders. They settled side by side, the TV flickering, some topless Alpha talking loudly to some unimpressed-looking Omega.
They watched the rest of the episode there, sinking into each other, in the comfort of each other’s warmth.
**********
Winning against the Gotham Hounds was always especially sweet. Even now that people knew Orion was dating the Hounds’ Captain, Gabby, the rivalry hadn’t died down. If anything, it had become even more competitive—they weren’t about to let their captain lose to hisboyfriend.
The team went out after, filling one of their favourite Brooklyn bars.
“Here’s to our captain having bragging rights at home,” Corona, their first-line right-winger, cheered.
Orion huffed in amusement. “Thanks. Let’s keep this energy up, boys.”
The night turned cheerful and rowdy, everybody in good spirits from their three-game winning streak. It was a nice way to start off the season, the air buzzing with possibility as the new team configuration gelled.
A bunch of the guys, including Zee, had made a home by the bar and were flirting with some Omegas that were sitting on the stools.
The one Zee was talking to was incredibly pretty—slim and dainty, his brown hair curled over his ears, skin pale and glowing in the low light.
Ishir watched for a little while, not feeling much. Zee flirting with Omegas was the natural order of things. There was no point in expecting anything different.
Ishir ended up crushed at the end of the booth, Bergy’s elbow digging into his side. They’d all had too many shots, and Petey was telling some long and tangent-filled story about a prank he’d pulled when he was still playing in the KHL. Ishir couldn’t stop collapsing into giggles every time Petey devolved into Russian for no apparent reason other than being stinking drunk. Bergy fed off Ishir’s nonsensical laughter, cracking up until Petey became too annoyed to continue the story.
Bergy visibly tried to pull himself together. “No, no, please go on. Something about…a jockstrap?”
“No,listen,” Petey ordered and hiccupped loudly, setting Bergy and Ishir off again.
It was late by the time Ishir made his way home feeling bubbly and settled. In the distant recesses of his mind, he wondered if Zee had brought the Omega home or if he’d gone to the Omega’s place.
Not that it mattered. Ishir stumbled into the apartment, kicking his shoes off haphazardly and shuffling to his room. He crashed onto his bed, the room spinning too much for him to do anything other than pass the fuck out.
**********
Ishir woke up late and disoriented. His mouth was thick with a skunk-like paste that was currently ruining his life.
“Oh, God.” He rolled onto his back, pressing his hands into his temples. A throbbing pain answered.
He was still wearing his goddamn jeans.
He dragged himself into the shower, brushing his teeth under the warm spray and then washing up. He felt nominally more human by the end of it, the ache behind his eyes dulled.
“Did I die?” Ishir croaked anyway as he spotted Zee in the kitchen.
Zee shot him an amused glance. “I don’t think so.”
Ishir grumbled under his breath as he shuffled to the coffee press. There was already coffee there. “Oh my God, I love you,” he said, not sure if he was talking to Zee for making it or to the coffee for existing.
Zee laughed, sounding fond. “Have fun yesterday?”
“Yeah, I just don’t know why I drank so much.”
“It’s the Russians. You try to keep up with them, and suddenly you’re under the table.”
