Chapter 13
MILES
“She’s driving herself?” I ask, pulling on my hair as I pace across the empty locker room floor. I am having one of the oddest conversations in my life.
“I know, I just—”
I‘m spiraling out right now. I’m unsure what the right thing to say to my scent match’s father is. He called me to give me permission to date his daughter, and I think my brain is on the fritz.
“You can’t treat her like a child,” he growls.
“I don’t see her like that,” I reassure him, wincing at how that came out. “Wait, let’s try this again. Yes, we’d love to see her after the game, I’ll make sure Santo and Levon know. I don’t know the area though, so I’ll need to find something…”
“There’s a late night coffee shop near the stadium that also has food,” Coach Freedman rumbles. “The parking lot is well lit, and I know the owner.”
“Oh.” I am so far out of my depth. “That’ll work, thank you. As you know, it’s hard to tell when we’ll be out of the stadium. Can I get her number?”
I don’t know how to do this. I haven’t spoken to her since the awkward bar incident, and I feel like I’m clawing the walls.
Caelia’s father rattles off the details I need while I write it out on a white board in the locker room.
It works well for running plays and apparently writing your scent match’s phone number down.
Saying goodbye, I enter all the information before beginning to erase it.
“Are you writing down phone numbers?” Levon asks, walking inside the locker room.
There will soon be a lot of players filling the space since they’ll be getting ready shortly. Our game at least is an earlier one than usual. I’ll take that small mercy.
“Caelia’s dad called me just now,” I say, glancing at him as I finish erasing the number. I don’t need anyone deciding to call her as a prank. “We’re going to see her tonight.”
“Fuck, really?!” he asks. I can tell that he’s trying to figure out what he’s going to wear from the frozen look of panic on his face.
“Just wear whatever you have in your locker,” I say, rolling my eyes.
“I have a suit,” he says. “I have to talk with some of the fans before I go.”
“That’s fine. She’ll be at the coffee shop by nine,” I say. “We’ll be done by then.”
“Hopefully,” Levon sighs. “Shit. I need to tell Santo.”
My lips twitch as he fights his way past the other players, amused that he’s freaking out. It’s a big deal. We’re finally getting a chance to see her. The added benefit that her father is co-signing on this will help too.
Let it go well, please.
Leaving the guys to get ready, I studiously ignore Marilyn as I walk past her. I’d rather talk to my assistant coaches and let them talk my ears off than have to “report” this call to her. Thankfully, she’s called in a different direction, and I’m able to get away.
I know the woman works hard, but I’d like to keep this date away from her for as long as possible. It isn’t a media stunt.
SANTO
For the first time since I started working here, I can’t wait for a hockey game to end. I make sure everyone is taken care of, refusing to rush even though I’m chanting in my mind to hurry.
“Does anyone need anything else?” I call out, my eyes moving around the different rooms.
The team won their game, and most of tonight’s work has involved making sure everyone follows their post game rituals. I don’t mind leaning into these as long as it means they listen to me like good little hockey players.
“You in a hurry, Santo?” Kane asks, brow raised.
“You could say that,” I breathe.
I’m really not dressed for a date night, and I self consciously ruffle my hair with my hand. I’m in a pair of chinos and a long sleeved Henley with sneakers. It’s a mixture of casual and professional since I’m on my feet so much.
“Santo?” Levon asks, poking his head into the room.
“Coming,” I say, rushing over to an intern. “Can you make sure everything gets cleaned up in here, please? I’d usually do it, but—”
“You’re busy?” he guesses.
“Ah, yes,” I say with a nod.
“You’re always the last one to finish in here, I’ll take care of it,” he says.
Thanking him, I’m surprised anyone notices what I do. It’s true that I’m usually running around to take care of everyone during the different periods when they change out players, but I didn’t think anyone paid attention to the behind the scenes stuff.
Joining Levon, I grin at his open white button up shirt underneath his gray suit jacket. He looks damn sexy.
“If you look at me like that any longer, I’m going to kiss the shit out of you,” he murmurs.
His bag is in his hand, and I can’t help the way I shrug at his words.
“You don’t get to make demands, brat,” I say. “Are we taking a ride share ?”
“Borrowing a staff member’s car,” Coach Miles says as he jogs up to us. “I have the keys. Let’s go before someone has an emergency.”
Chuckling because he’s not wrong, I head toward the exit.
“Her dad really called you?” I ask.
“Oh yeah. It was an experience,” he says. “My sphincter had a religious puckering.”
“Too much information,” I say, shaking my head. “I wonder what it’s like to grow up with someone like that.”
“With Coach Freedman?” Miles asks, pushing the door to the exit.
At my nod, he shrugs. “I watched Caelia grow up. He was always firm but really kind with her. She rolled with the punches whenever he yelled, and I never got the impression that she was scared of him. He’s just a really intense person. ”
“Is that weird?" I ask. “Knowing her as a kid?”
“Coach Freedman has always been very protective of Caelia. We had a job to do and she had homework. Therefore, we paid attention to the ice, practice, and games in that order,” Miles says. “I haven’t seen her in so long, I don’t find it odd that—”
“You’re old,” Levon finishes, smirking.
“You both suck,” he grumbles. “I’m not old. I’m only forty-five.”
“Ancient,” I decide. “I don’t know how you’ll be able to keep up.”
“Fuck you all!” Miles yells as Levon and I burst into laughter.
Man, he just makes it so easy.
The vehicle we’re borrowing is a sedan, and it’s difficult for the three of us to squeeze into.
“I’m going to need a massage after this,” Levon groans pitifully.
“Shh,” Miles mutters. “I’ll leave you here.”
Smothering my smile, I turn in the back seat to try to find a way to stretch out my legs as Miles drives. We really are like bickering children.
It’s a short drive there, and I happily uncoil myself from the vehicle with a slight wince. Oh well, it’s an excuse to use the tub in our bathroom, and I get to see Caelia now. I’ll deal with the trade off with a smile.
The Sweet Cafe has dim lighting, books everywhere, and cute candelabra inside. The place smells amazing too, making my stomach grumble.
“There’s a bakery here,” Levon mentions to me as he looks for Caelia. “Why is she back in that corner?”
“I bet it’s so she can watch the door,” Miles says, his long legs already walking in her direction.
“What the fuck has this girl gone through to have to think about that?” I ask under my breath. I look around with new eyes, noticing that the barista is staring at us.
At least she has people looking out for her. I don’t care if someone watches us the entire date, it means there are still good people protecting her.
Walking over with Levon, I smile at Caelia.
“Hi, beautiful. The bakery smells amazing. I’m going to grab a coffee and something from the case. Can I get you anything?” I ask.
“Just more water, please,” she says with a small smile.
I notice there is a plate already on the table and nod.
“I’ll get it,” Levon says. “You want a cinnamon roll if they have one?”
“Mmm. Yes please,” I say, sliding into a chair.
It doesn’t escape me that Miles moves a chair to the end of the table so Caelia has more room. We all need to sort our shit out.
“How was the drive?” I ask her, inhaling slowly, hoping to catch her scent. I almost frown when I only catch a very slight hint of cherries.
“It wasn’t bad,” Caelia says with a smile, leaning forward on her arms. Her hair tumbles down her back, and I get lost in her hazel eyes for a moment.
“What made you change your mind about us?” I ask, desperate to hear her voice again.
“My dad,” she admits. “It’s what I like to call ‘ice heart to hearts.’ Lately, when he wants to have a difficult conversation with me, he tosses my skates at me to skate with him.”
Miles snorts, covering his mouth with his hand when I glance at him.
“You can’t hide from him on the ice,” he says. “That’s neutral territory, right?”
“It didn’t use to be,” she says. “I had a long stretch where I was terrified of an ice rink. I couldn’t be on the ice at all.”
“Yeah?” Miles responds, sobering as he gazes at her. “It sounds as if you’re moving past that.”
“I am,” Caelia says. “I haven’t been on the ice with anyone other than my dad which helps. He clears the ice or makes sure it’s early enough that it’s just us.”
“No one gives you shit about that?” Miles asks as Levon rejoins us.
“I’m pretty sure the world would stop with a single glare from my father,” she chuckles.
This is an omega who believes the stars were hung by her dad, and I love that for her. He’s obviously been her protector her entire life.
“He scares the shit out of me,” Levon says, making sure Caelia and I have what we need. “Has it always been the two of you?”
“It has,” Caelia says, her eyes reflecting a remembered pain. “My mom left when I was little, and one of my first memories was learning how to skate with my dad. I’d nap while he worked when I was little.”
“I didn’t know her when she was that young,” Miles grumbles when Levon and I sneak a glance at him.
“Are you giving him shit?” Caelia asks, rolling her eyes. “Miles reminds me of something bad that happened to me, and it makes me uncomfortable. I know it’s unfair. However, we didn’t really know each other. He used to tease me occasionally for not paying enough attention to the game.”