Chapter Thirty-Nine
Grif
T he mood at Tito’s was lively, as most of the team came out to celebrate our win. We found a table for the five of us, ordering drinks. It had been a good game, with a close score. Cooter, their goalie, was easily as good as Dean. Not to mention, getting through the Yeti was tough.
“That’s not a cocktail. It’s what you make in a bathtub at a party.” AJ eyed Verity’s fruity little drink.
Verity pursed her lips around the straw like it was a cock. Taking a deep pull, she made a pretty good version of her o-face. She smacked her lips. “Delicious.”
Mmmm. I could use some of that.
“Why can’t you stay the night?” Dean pressed, leaning on Verity.
“Dare’s staying over so I can help him with a paper. Incoming.” Verity’s eyes flickered over to Mercy, who wore a dress, and a guy a little older than her, who had Verity’s face and hair but not her eyes. He wore a BosTec hoodie, dress pants with a thick chain, and combat boots. There was an industrial piercing in his ear and his eyeliner rivaled Mercy’s.
“Ver Bear.” The guy hugged her. “You would’ve loved the concert. She sang so well.”
“I’m sorry to have missed it. Dare, meet Dean, Grif, and AJ. Jonas is the one over there with the blue hair,” Verity replied.
Jonas seemed to be having a very earnest conversation with our rookie defender who was struggling a bit.
“You’re Griffin McGraff. Fuck.” Dare’s eyes focused on me, then looked at Verity and his head cocked in confusion, hair falling in his face. “How do you know him?”
“He’s dating Verity. Airplane Guy? Her hot hockey boyfriend? Dean’s the one who owned the sweatshirt.” Mercy laughed.
“Wow. Okay. I must have missed that?” He made a face.
Mercy slugged him. “That’s what happens when you mute the group chat, you ding-dong.” She turned to her sister. “Come with me to the bathroom. I have gossip.”
Verity got her crutch and downed her drink. She kissed Dean on the cheek. “Get me another?”
“Of course. Grif? AJ?” Dean asked, hopping off his stool.
“We’re good,” AJ replied, putting an arm around me.
“Can I have a beer? Promise I’m legal,” Dare replied, not taking a seat.
The three of them left. Dare stood there, staring at me.
“My sister’s dating Grif Graf. Fuck. There’s a shrine to you in one of the practice rooms at BosTec,” Dare told me, voice hushed.
“There is?” AJ eyed me.
I’d heard about it but hadn’t seen it. Also, I didn’t talk a lot about my non-hockey time at BosTec.
“Is that where you go?” I knew he attended university in Boston and studied music.
“I do. You’re Griffin the Music Magician . You set the record for playing piano for the longest amount of time without taking a break during the music-a-thon. In orchestra we’re playing a piece you wrote. Can I take a selfie?” He beamed.
“Um, sure?” I took a selfie with the young alpha who smelled like a sea storm.
“Griffin the Music Magician?” AJ smirked and toasted me with his beer. “I knew you studied music, but what? You compose?”
“I wrote them for class. That was back when my backup plan for hockey was to conduct the Boston Symphony.” My smile went wry.
“Airplane Guy. Sweatshirt Guy. Tall, Blue, and Dangerous.” Dare peered at AJ. “So, you must be Cow Boy.”
“Yes.” AJ nodded.
“You’re a music major? I was a piano performance major with a conducting minor.” I took another pull from my beer. Those were the days. The thrill of conducting an orchestra was as great as being on the ice.
People who got interested in my time at BosTec always made me uncomfortable. I only got in because I could handle a stick and Dean’s dad was on the board. Dean, however, had earned his place with top grades. Mine had been decent, but Dean and I were in every class together in prep school so he could help me.
“I’m cello performance. Parents were so fucking pissed that I got into a top science school and chose to major in music. I’m wasting my future and will amount to nothing.” His phone rang, and he checked it. “It’s my boy, gotta answer.” Dare stood and left the table.
Yep. Their parents were fucking assholes. Most of my music classmates had gone on to do great things–or at least made a living.
“I forgot that you once wanted to conduct an orchestra,” AJ said as we sat alone at the table.
“Given I didn’t even finish my degree, it made no sense to still have those goals. Also, I’m a shit composer.” I still wrote music for fun once in a while. Sometimes I missed the way composing and conducting made me feel.
“I’m sure you’re not a shit composer. I haven’t heard you play piano in ages. Maybe we should get a piano for the living room? Next day you have off we can go to a showroom and try some out?” he offered, stroking my arm.
“I’d like that. I don’t need anything fancy. One we could stick in the corner would be fine.” Now that I was all moved in, I kept meaning to bring it up. I missed playing. Back when I was with the Hurricanes, my apartment building had one in the rec room. It was a good way to unwind.
“Wait.” AJ sucked in a breath. “That’s why there are music notes with your Griffin tattoo. I never made the connection.”
“Yep. I got it after I’d won a big competition.” Time to change the subject. “How’d things go with Verity tonight?”
“Fine. You’re right, I don’t hate her . We fixed her investments and watched the game. Janessa loves her. They were trading recipes and book recommendations.”
I’d seen that. At one point, Verity had been holding one of the Royce kids and it was adorable.
One day.
“You failed to tell me she’s related to Spencer Thanukos?” His eyebrows rose.
“How do you think we met him in Glitter City? They were all there with Verity to watch Mercy play in the big all-rookie match.” I took another sip.
“Oh. That makes sense. While I’d go up to a random table and chat him up, you three aren’t the type.” He took a drink of beer. “Verity’s shoes aren’t cutting it with the ice and snow. She needs something with a better grip so she doesn’t hurt her leg further. Also, they don’t work with most of her outfits.”
“True.” That was a very AJ observation. He was acutely aware of everyone’s aesthetic from being raised by an appearance-oriented pack.
Dean returned with the drinks as Verity and Mercy came back over, giggling.
“Thanks.” Verity kissed Dean on the cheek and took hers.
“Mine?” Mercy slid a beer towards herself, look sly.
“Mine, jailbait,” Dare teased, taking it from her as he rejoined us.
“This one’s for you. Looks like a drink, but no alcohol.” Dean pushed a glass to Mercy. “When you’re eighteen, we’ll take you to a fancy bar, and you can order whatever you want. After we get wasted, Grif will make us the best drunk food ever.”
Dean liked grilled cheese with tomato soup when he was drunk.
“Thanks, Dean.” Mercy took a sip. “Is Lucky with us, or does Carlos have him? I feel like Carlos steals him a lot.”
“Oh, he’s here.” I handed Mercy my imaginary cat. Carlos did like to blame things on Lucky. Especially farts.
She pretended to give Lucky some of her drink, then took some photos.
“Looks like other teams are joining the festivities.” Dare’s gaze fell to the door, as a bunch of athletes, mostly betas, bust in.
“Oh, that’s the New York Rockets. Fútbol. They probably need a stiff drink after losing in a shutout to Southern United,” AJ replied, studying the fit betas coming in.
Verity made a face and took a long sip of her drink.
“Oh, wait, I think some of them are here, too,” AJ added, looking around.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Dean held her gently with his arm.
“Who do you know on Southern United, Princess?” AJ took another sip of his beer.
“Princess?” Her eyebrows rose.
“I call them as I see them.” AJ shrugged.
“Fine, Cow Boy.” She smirked and raised her glass at him.
Dare’s brows furrowed. “Isn’t that... shit. Should we go out the back door? Her collegiate arch-nemesis is a fucking asshat.”
“You mean the one you secret-dated?” Mercy snorted.
“You did not .” Dare looked scandalized. “Freddie the Fuckboy? Why, Verity? Why? There are so many better people to secret-date.”
“Who dumped who?” AJ prodded. The bar had gone from lively to downright electric at the fútbolers’ arrival.
“He dumped me when I had the audacity to awaken as alpha. It would’ve crashed and burned, anyway. We were pretty toxic.” Verity rubbed the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger.
“That’s fucked up.” AJ frowned. “You tested as alpha, or was it a surprise?”
“I tested alpha, but the parents didn’t believe it. Just like they wanted an omega child so badly that they didn’t believe my big brother was an alpha either,” she said. “Also, I awakened late and skipped that young alpha stage completely. It’s also why I still struggle sometimes. I didn’t have the chance to get used to everything. One day it simply happened, and I got everything all at once.”
I felt that. It was the same for Dean and me. I squeezed her hand.
“I don’t think I knew you skipped the whole young alpha thing. That’s fucking shitty. As for the parents, so far none of us are omegas, so they can suck it,” Mercy added. “At least by the time I rolled around, no one cared. I could play the sport I wanted and get you to sign my permission slips for alpha classes.”
A classically beautiful woman in a gold net tank that showed off her assets stood nearby with a group of fútbolers. Her laugh was grating, and her skirt showed off toned legs and part of her ass.
“So fucked up,” AJ muttered.
“What’s fucked up?” Jonas joined us, beer in hand.
“Her parents. Also, some dickwad beta dumped her for being an alpha.” Dean played with her hair. “Well, fuck him. We like alpha you.”
That woman in gold sashayed past. Her eyes focused on us, and she made a sharp turn. She leaned on the table, boobs practically in AJ’s face.
“Verity Thorne, is that you? Well, I never. Missed you at fall fashion week this year. I even closed for Vecci.” The woman smirked, and by her tone, she didn’t miss her one bit.
Verity gave the woman a look halfway between annoyed and tired. “Derva. It’s been ages.”
“What have you even been up to? You retired from modeling, didn’t you? I haven’t seen you around. But then we can’t all stay an it-girl, especially when you tank your own career.” She looked younger than Verity and was a beta. “Oh wait, you never were one.”
“Uncalled for. Who the fuck are you?” Mercy snapped, looking ready to throw a punch.
“How dare you? My face is on billboards,” Derva snapped.
“So’s mine.” Mercy shrugged.
I’d seen Mercy on the side of a building advertising scrunchies.
“Was that a cane I saw you walking with earlier?” Derva prodded. “What did you do?”
“There you are. Hi, I’m Freddie.” A slim, toned man with a goatee and dark hair, reeking of fuckboy, came over and slid his arm around her waist. She was taller than him. They were both betas.
His eyes flickered over us and fell on Verity. “Verity. Oh wow. You really have let yourself go. I heard you were in a bad place after you made that randomly poor decision to not go pro to go play in the dirt. I guess ruining other people’s lives wasn’t enough, so you had to ruin your own?”
“What are you talking about? She looks great.” I narrowed my eyes at him. Verity looked cute in her Knights sweatshirt.
“You and Derva are together now? Bless your hearts. You might be better outsourcing your shutout celebration though.” Verity smirked.
AJ nearly spit out his drink. Point to my kitten.
“He’s a goalie. And your ex?” Dean frowned.
No, he didn’t deserve her blowjobs.
“The best goalie in domestic league.” Derva ran her hands over Freddie. “I also give better blowjobs than you.”
“I highly doubt that,” Dean snapped, putting an arm around Verity.
“Oh, how cute. You’re what, a schoolteacher now? This is like teacher’s night out? This one’s pretending to be your boyfriend? Freddie and Verity never actually dated, he just pity fucked her.” Derva smirked.
“We’re her pack, you dumbfuck bimbo. You think we’re teachers?” AJ laughed, flashing his fancy watch.
My arm tightened around AJ as my dick hardened at him defending her.
Derva’s jaw hung open. “How dare you?”
“Don’t talk to my girlfriend like that,” Freddie snapped.
I stood, hands fisting as I had the urge to hit him with Verity’s crutch, which laid against the table. “Don’t talk to my girl like that. Verity’s amazing. She doesn’t play in the dirt. She’s getting a fucking PhD in plant genetics .”
Anger swirled inside me. How dare he? Jonas stood at my side.
“Your parents let you date now? Do people actually want a boring, basic bitch like you? Why are you even in New York?” Freddie frowned, on his phone.
“Pack’s dissolved, you asshole.” Mercy scowled at him. “We fucking live here. My sister’s not boring, basic, or a bitch. But you two certainly are.”
“There you two are.” Another fuckboy, also with brown hair, joined them. His eyes flickered over the table. Oblivious to the tension. “Shitballs. You’re Double D. You’re my sister's hero. Every time my parents say she can’t play hockey, she extols your virtues. You’re Grif Graf–and you’re Jonas Soeng. Can I get a picture?” He was absolutely giddy.
Jonas looked at Verity. “It’s up to her.”
“I don’t know him, so go for it.” Verity shrugged.
“Diego, you’re being embarrassing.” Derva frowned as we took a picture with him. Freddie was on his phone.
“Oh, I see. You’re with athletes because you’ll never be one?” Freddie smirked.
“Freddie, you won. You have the fútbol career. A model on your arm. Sponsors and a bazillion dollars. Leave me alone.” Verity’s chin stayed up stubbornly.
“Ugh, this is boring.” Derva flounced off, dragging Diego with her.
“You need to fuck off.” Jonas took a menacing step toward Freddie when he didn’t move.
Freddie scowled and threw up his hands. “Make me.”
AJ stood. “We’ll take this out back. We don’t want to get banned.”
“Guys, it’s fine. Freddie, I’m so happy you’re doing well. You and Derva are meant for each other,” Verity fake-simpered.
How could she keep so calm? I wanted to punch Derva in her massive tits.
Freddie rolled his eyes. “Do they know they need to watch themselves with you? You might tell on them or something.”
“Why do you care that I got Coach fired? He wasn’t your coach. Why did you stir up hate when I didn’t go pro? Why does it matter to you? To anyone?” she prodded, staying strong.
AJ took a step toward him; anger and dominance wafting off him. “Leave or I’ll carry you out. Don’t contact her again.”
“Fine. You’re a shitty lay, anyway.” Freddie stalked off, trying not to look like he was about to shit his pants.
“You’re not a shitty lay.” I pulled her to me, reassuring her with my touch. Nope. Not in the slightest.
“Who was that bitch?” Mercy scowled.
“Someone who used to model with me. She’s the one that would randomly end up in Research Circle sometimes. I wish everyone would forget how being an alpha and the parents ruined my life and leave me alone.” Verity sighed and Jonas squeezed her hand.
“Well, I’m not rooting for him again.” AJ shook his head. “Dickhead.”
“Thanks for sticking up for me, AJ. You too, Jonas. All of you.” She gave us a soft smile.
“Anytime, Princess.” AJ shrugged.
I kissed her temple. “That’s what we’re here for.”
“Are you really packmates? The parents are going to shit pumpkins,” Dare chuckled, taking a pull of his beer while scrolling on his phone.
Verity shook her head. “I don’t care what they think. I’m an adult, and I can see who I want. They can go fuck themselves.”
Jonas beamed. “Exactly. How about we blow this place?”
“Yeah, let’s get some burritos the size of our heads.” Mercy hopped off her stool.
“Being an alpha didn’t ruin your life,” Jonas said quietly to her. “Assholes did. In this pack, we don’t let the assholes win.”
No. No, we didn’t.
We were her pack. AJ said. No take backs. It might take a little time. But she was ours and here to stay.