Chapter Fifty-Two
Verity
“ H i, Calista, is he busy?” I asked, waving to AJ’s assistant as she typed on her computer.
“Hi, Verity, your makeup looks amazing. New look?” Calista asked as she looked up from her work.
“I had a photo shoot today, and I liked it so much. I didn’t want to take it off.” The makeup artist even gave me a mini-tutorial so I could recreate it.
“Go on in, and please, take him away so I can go home,” she giggled, putting a manicured hand over her mouth.
I walked into AJ’s office, which felt a bit like a terrarium, with its glass walls. At least he had a window to the outside. He hunched over his laptop, working as usual.
Christmas and New Year had passed and most people were back at work. I’d been spending as much time as I dared at the lab, trying to get a handle on what went wrong and working on the next batch before the new semester started.
They were yielding results. Thank goodness.
“Hi AJ, I brought the plant food.” I took a small sack out of my backpack and put it on his desk. The plant I’d gotten him when we all exchanged presents– string of coins to bring prosperity to his work–hung in the corner. It wasn’t anything compared to my comfortable and adorable shoes, but he seemed to like it.
As usual, AJ dressed impeccably in an expensive, tailored suit, fancy watch, and sunglasses on his head. He’d been favoring silver-colored watches recently, probably to match his pack ring.
They were a pack now, and I was so excited for them.
I wore black pants and the boots he’d gotten me. Also, I’d thrown on a sweatshirt over my outfit, under my coat, since we were headed to the Knights game.
“Hi, Verity. Thank you. That’s a very striking look for a hockey game. Something I should know about tonight?” AJ looked up from his laptop and smirked.
He and I had settled into some sort of friendship. AJ was a great guy. Though there were definitely times I wouldn’t mind a little more.
Yeah, I wanted them all.
“I did that shoot for Creative Collective today. It was fun. A little strange, but fun. Turns out I used to work with one of the omegas running it.” I plopped into the seat in front of his desk, leaning my crutch against it.
“It’s nice that you’re taking a break from the greenhouse. I know you need to get your research fixed, but you work a lot,” he told me, eyes still on his computer screen.
“So do you,” I joked, gazing at the empty desks on the other side of the glass.
He closed his laptop. “True. Did your shoot include llamas?”
“To start off, it was a very normal shoot. Winter looks for on and off the slopes. I worked with some sweet omega models. Then, they wanted to do some art shots . I found myself in a clear bathtub filled with goldfish while wearing a very expensive dress.” Which was one of the strangest things I’d ever done for a shoot.
I showed him a picture on my phone. “It’ll either have everyone jumping to book me, or I’ll never get runway work again. It’s almost blasphemous to wear a Vecci in a bathtub.”
“They did not. It ruined that dress, didn’t it?” His hand went to his mouth, scandalized.
“Maybe? They let me keep it. It’s in a bag in my backpack. Know any good dry cleaners we can visit on our way to the arena?” One thing I liked about AJ was that he was aware of things such as brands and quality, which weren’t always the same.
“Good idea. A clever tailor should be able to help as well,” he told me.
“Oh, definitely. This isn’t the first time I’ve asked to keep a ruined dress. The woman who does the costumes for my old university’s theater department is amazing at remaking things for me,” I replied, getting the sack with the still-damp dress out of my backpack.
The dress was filmy and creamy with gold embroidery. I still couldn’t believe they let me have it. Vecci gowns were expensive. They were one of the top couture fashion houses.
“Maybe you can wear it when Grif conducts the Boston Symphony.” AJ slid his laptop into his bag.
“You want me there?” It was so romantic that AJ had gotten that arranged for Grif. Meanwhile, all I had were roses. They’d take a while, though I was getting started.
“Of course.” AJ slung his bag over his shoulder. “Let’s go to the dry cleaners.”
AJ and I sat in the family section watching the Knights play the Philadelphia Aces, beers and snacks in hand. We’d gone down to the family room to grab free booze, since Grif had gotten me a pass. I’d grabbed Gwen the chips I knew she liked. She’d mentioned earlier that she was coming tonight.
“Gwen.” I turned around and threw her the chips. She was sitting behind us by Carlos’s mom.
“Thank you.” She caught them while balancing a plastic container on her knees.
“I smell enchiladas.” I sniffed, looking around. Those hadn’t been in the family room and weren’t on the arena menu.
Carlos’ mom smiled. “I always bring some for Gwen when she’s on duty. A growing girl needs to eat.”
Janessa turned and waved at me. “Hi, AJ. Hi, Verity.”
“Hi!” I waved back.
“I heard Elias got captain for one of the All-Star teams,” AJ said to her. “That’s amazing.”
Oh, right, that was coming up in February. One player from each team in the PHL was chosen and would end up on one of four teams, captained by both players and a special co-captain. There were other spots up for fan vote. The PSSL had that, too.
“He’s so happy. Winston’s hoping for the popular vote, but I think it’ll be Grif or Dean. Maybe it’ll be all of them,” she replied.
“The Knights sweeping the popular vote would be fun,” AJ said.
One kid needed her attention, and she turned back around.
AJ looked at me. “While I’d love for Grif to make the All-Star team, there’s a several-day break for those that don’t. I’ll take those days off. You should check your calendar. It might be nice to have a little stay-cation and spend them all together.”
“You’d include me?” I loved that idea.
“If I don’t, Dean will pitch a fit.” A smile curled at the corners of his mouth.
Aww. He wanted me there. The thought warmed me.
The game against the Aces was fast and furious from the puck drop. The animosity between number sixty-nine and the Knights was evident.
Dean dropped to the ice, blocking the net with his body. The puck sailed over him. Number sixty-nine did a celebratory dance, taunting Dean.
“Fucking Beau Bachman,” AJ grumbled. Like last time, he wore a jersey with Grif’s number twenty-six on it over his button-down with his suit slacks.
Carlos passed Grif the puck as the clock ticked down to the end of the first period. Grif plowed over number sixty-nine as he smacked the puck across the red line into the Ace’s goal, nearly whacking Beau in the head with his stick.
Their goalie peeled himself up from the ice in defeat as Grif’s score music played. Go Grif.
Intermission started and I went to the bathroom. As I made my way back to the section, a beta woman with light brown wavy hair and striking blue eyes tapped me on the shoulder.
“You're Verity the plant professor?” Her French-Canadian accent was thick. She wore a Knights jersey with the number thirty-one on the sleeve and Tremblay on the back.
“I am. Hi.” Considering whose jersey she was wearing, I was guessing this was Jean-Paul’s girlfriend, the flight attendant who liked plants.
Wait, no fiancée, he’d just proposed.
“Hi, I’m Celine. Thank you for helping him with my plants.” Her smile was warm.
“You’re quite welcome. It’s nice to finally meet you,” I replied. I went back to my seat and took off my jacket when I sat down because I was getting warm.
“Why are you wearing that and not Grif’s number?” AJ eyed me.
“My sister stole my Knights hoodie and hasn’t given it back yet.” I shrugged. I was wearing my Hurricanes sweatshirt.
AJ rolled his eyes. “If you’re going to sit with your jacket off, we should get you something else.”
“I’m fine. This is the sweatshirt he gave me. I wear it all the time.” I took a drink of beer. It wasn’t like they were playing the Hurricanes. I should get a Knights jersey. If I got twenty-six for Grif, I should get Dean’s, too. Maybe I needed forty-two for Jonas? And rotate?
Ooh, I should get one online with all their numbers on it, like Janessa had. Yes, I’d order one next time I got a modeling job.
AJ shrugged. “It’s your ass.”
Second period, Beau did everything he could to score on Dean. There was a story there, I’m sure, as Dean saved puck after puck, defense working hard to protect him. The Aces were still up 3-2.
Dean ate ice trying to stop another puck from Beau. His gloved hand opened to reveal a puck. The arena roared with cheers. Beau looked like he was about to kick Dean. Jonas shoved him. Before he could shove back, the ref blew his whistle and Elias pulled Jonas away.
“Don’t call him for roughing, don’t call him for roughing,” AJ muttered. The ref walked away and AJ relaxed. “I know you hate Beau, Jonas, but you can’t go in the box. You have to stay and protect Dean.”
“Why do you all hate him?” I finally asked.
“Beau Bachman is the one who outed Dean as an omega in an attempt to get him fired. Asshole.” AJ made a face. Jonas didn’t get a penalty, but there was a line change.
“Oh. Okay.” Now I understood the animosity. Unfortunately, there were people against omegas in professional contact sports.
Also, using sixty-nine for your number said a lot about you.
Pauley passed the puck to Nia, who shot it into the Ace’s goal. The goalie caught it, and the crowd booed.
The Aces changed their line. Beau came charging back out to the ice.
Coach Atkins put Carlos, Clark, and Grif back in. Grif immediately slid past their defense. He knocked the puck right through the goalie’s legs before he could get all the way down on his knees.
I rocketed up out of my seat and cheered. “Go, Tiger.”
We were now tied 3-3, and that was Grif’s second goal of the game. Beau got the puck and skated toward Dean with ferocity.
Beau sped toward the goal, eluding Carlos, and knocking Grif on his ass. Dean crouched, ready and waiting. Defense took their positions. Dimitri took a hard shove and Nakey got tripped up, leaving Dean open.
“Why aren’t they calling Beau on his mayhem? Shit, he’s going in fast,” AJ muttered, as Beau skated into the crease, slamming into Dean.
“Dean.” I winced as his cry of pain cut through the arena. Many fans cried foul.
Grif dropped his gloves and stick and tackled Beau, punching him as number sixty-nine tried to fight back.
That’s exactly how I felt. I wanted to punch that asshole in the face.
A giant fight broke out on the ice. Players climbed over the boards to join the fray. Jonas skated straight to Dean.
“Go get them,” I shouted, anger at Beau rising. How dare he?
You didn’t touch another team’s goalie. Just like you didn’t hurt someone else’s omega. If you injured an omega goalie? No one would save you. A lineman and the team doctor talked to Dean.
“Relax, Princess, they’ll make sure he’s okay,” AJ murmured, arm around me.
The officials descended on the brawl, pulling people off. Except for Grif, who repeatedly punched Beau in the face. Finally, Elias and a linesman got Grif off him.
My heart ached because I wanted to be out there, too. The air in the arena was thick with anger and worry, despite the air filters.
“I know.” AJ’s hand squeezed mine. “This is why they don’t like omegas playing contact sports. Every alpha in the crowd gets upset when they get hurt. That’s why so far the only openly omega players in the PHL are goalies. A team will fiercely protect their goalie at all costs, like a pack protects their omega.”
“True.” My fists unclenched as Grif fought the linesman and Royce. “Known omegas? There are secret omegas in the PHL?”
It made sense. Even though there were lots of laws to protect omegas, some still felt safer hiding. Especially if their profession was alpha-heavy.
“I’m sure there are,” he shrugged. “There’s one I think might be a gamma.”
“Having a gamma sister, I can see how their fucked up danger response could be an asset in hockey,” I replied, envisioning it.
Grif fought both the linesman and Elias as they tried to break up the fight.
“You have a sister that’s a gamma?” His look went concerned.
Beau broke loose and lunged at Grif. Grif punched him back, and the ref blew their whistle again.
I nodded. “Grace, the one that’s mated to Spencer. She once whacked a shooter with a chair while in an evening gown to protect her omega.”
Several players from both teams got dragged to the penalty box. The Knights’ fans booed Beau, who had the audacity to saunter to the box until they threatened to eject him.
“What would they do if there were omegas in other positions? They’re protected under designation law. In undergrad, we had an omega defender on my team, and she would fuck you up,” I added. It was her wedding that had been at AJ’s sister’s farm.
AJ laughed. “I could see that, though there’s a difference between fútbol defenders and hockey defenders. The hockey team might not be allowed to fire them, but there are ways–trading them, not renewing their contracts, or giving them away. I should hope that if the player is good at their job, they’d stay. I mean, once they didn’t think betas could be goalies, and now look, the Knights have a beta goalie and an omega goalie.”
Grif rushed to Dean, the ref yelling. He bent down on the ice, cradling his omega in his arms, murmuring to him, Jonas by their side looking ready to murder someone. Jonas and Dean finally skated off to the bench.
“They always err on the side of caution with Dean. I’m sure he’s fine. Just shaken.” AJ tugged me to him.
A banging on the glass made me look up. Grif stood there, with a lineman who was valiantly trying to get him to the penalty box.
“Why the fuck are you wearing that, Kitten?” Grif yelled through the thick glass.
I looked down at my sweatshirt. A frown tugged at my lips. “You gave it to me. Mercy stole my Knight’s one.”
Grif drew his jersey over his head and threw it over the glass. “You only wear my number to games, understood, Kitten? Mine. ”
His look grew serious as he stood there in his pads and undershirt, the lineman still tugging on his arm.
“Oooh, someone’s in trouble,” someone snickered behind me, as AJ stood and caught the ball of black fabric.
“I told her.” AJ handed the sweaty jersey to me. He waved to Grif. “Love you, Boo-Boo. Great job defending Dean. I hope that fucker is missing some teeth.”
“Damn straight, Pepperjack. Love you, too.” Grif still stood there, his undershirt stuck to his body, eyes fixed on me. “Kitten.”
“Grif Graf, get in the fucking box now before you’re ejected,” the linesman grumbled, giving his arm another tug.
“Put it on before he gets in trouble, Princess,” AJ muttered to me. “Don’t want him kicked out.”
“Thank you, Tiger. Love you, too.” I pulled the sweaty, stinky, torn-up jersey over my sweatshirt. Was that blood?
Grif let himself get dragged away, but he kept his eyes on me, making sure I’d put it on. I blew him a kiss.
“Told you. You also smell,” AJ teased, pinching his nose.
“Fuck you,” I laughed, giving him a little shove. While I didn’t want to wear it since it reeked and was damp, it was a very sweet gesture. A very possessive gesture. Hopefully, he wouldn’t get in trouble, and someone would bring him another.
“Naw, I’ll save that for Grif,” he chuckled.
I’d be fine with that.
Coach Atkins slapped Jean-Paul on the shoulder. He pulled on his helmet, climbing over the boards onto the ice and getting into the goal. Jean-Paul waved at his fiancée, and she made a heart with her hands.
Gwen looked at her phone, brow furrowing, then stood, grabbing her backpack.
“Are you leaving us, Ladybug?” Janessa asked.
“Coach Kirov wants me to go down to the locker room in case they need me. I hate that my job depends on people getting hurt.” Gwen frowned and left the stands.
“I still don’t understand what Gwen does for the Knights,” I whispered to AJ.
“She’s an EBUG, an emergency backup goalie. If something happens to JP, and they don’t want Dean to go back in, the EBUG plays,” AJ explained.
“Okay.” That made sense.
“She could also be called in for the other team if both their goalies go down or get sick. The Knights EBUGs are all students. She plays for NYIT, like I did.”
“Oh. She told me she’s one of NYIT’s goalies. That’s kind of amazing.” That didn’t exist in fútbol. I’d played goalie in a pinch more than once.
“The fans love the EBUGs. Dean was one when he was at BosTec,” he added.
“You attended NYIT?” I paused. “I never knew that. What did you study?”
“Data science. Played hockey for them, too.” He squeezed my hand. AJ looked at the players on the ice. “Wow, that lineup is weak. Fortunately, Beau’s in the box. Honestly, Grif should have been ejected for that. They were probably lenient because everyone knows the situation.”
There wasn’t much time left in the second period, anyway. Beau didn’t look happy. Blood ran down his face and he looked like he was missing a couple teeth.
That’s what happened when you messed with someone’s omega goalie.
I just hoped Dean was okay.