Chapter 29 #2
I nod dumbly, unable to help it. Miles’ hand lays flat between my shoulder blades as we walk, and I sigh, realizing how hard I’ve fallen for this alpha.
“I love you too,” I murmur.
Miles doesn’t mention how delayed my response is, and simply kisses my temple as we leave the house.
“Are you going to be warm enough?” he asks.
Glancing at my outfit, I nod. “It’s easier not to focus on being cold if I’m busy cheering.”
“You’re totally going to be cold,” he snorts, opening the passenger door for me.
“The undershirt usually helps,” I laugh, getting inside the SUV.
“Mmhmm,” he says, closing the door to come around.
Miles keeps me chatting as we drive to the stadium, and he walks with me to my seat, where Addie is waiting for me.
“After the game, come back to the lockers,” he instructs. “There’s a ton of people tonight.”
“Is there anything different about this game?” I ask, getting comfortable after giving Addie a hug.
“Not that I know of,” he shrugs. “I get overprotective.”
“Understandable,” I say, squeezing his hand. “You have to go, Miles.”
“I know,” he grumbles, his hands grabbing my buns like handles to tilt my head up and kiss me. There are a few cheers surrounding us as he lifts his head, making my cheeks warm. “Be good.”
“Always,” I grin, watching as he makes his way out to talk to the team before the game.
“Is he okay?” Addie asks. “Like did anything happen?”
“No,” I say, shaking my head. “The three of them were fine at home, and now he just seems really anxious now that I’m in the stands.”
I try sending my alphas love and reassurance through the bond, unable to think of anything else that might help. I fall into conversation with Addie, not thinking anymore about Miles or how odd his behavior was.
Players are announced half an hour later as they skate onto the ice, and I smile as I watch the visiting team.
“As left forward, we have Luis Meyer,” the announcer says loudly, making the blood drain from my face.
No, no, no. I have paid special attention to his name to ensure that the New Orleans Dragons didn’t play his team at any point, but I didn’t realize that he had been traded. Luis Meyer has been playing on a team up in New York before this.
I sit frozen with dread, despite knowing that the chances that he knows I’m in Nashville are slim. It takes time for me to be able to breathe, and I even have to pull out my stun gun from my boot to keep it in my hand to help.
Ice is all I can feel despite trying to ground myself, and it's hard to draw breath into my lungs. I’m seriously struggling with this new discovery. All I’ve ever wanted is within reach, and my past is on the ice, skating as if he doesn’t have a care in the world.
Miles turns to stare at me as if he can feel me through the bond, and I smile weakly, shaking my head. I can’t tell him or he’ll lose his shit. It’s why I’ve been so adamant about staying quiet about the people who hurt me.
I have to protect him from his instincts to protect me. I’m trying to shut down the bond between myself and my alphas, but have no idea if I’m doing it right or not.
“What’s wrong?” Addie asks, leaning against me.
“Just…hold my hand?” I ask, swallowing hard. “A ghost is walking over my grave.”
Addie takes my hand and squeezes it, her eyes moving over the ice as if she can figure out the culprit. She knows the names of the men who hurt me, and it’s just a matter of time before she realizes it.
The teams get on the ice, and I keep my eyes on Levon to help distract me.
His features are fierce, his thigh muscles bunching and releasing as he skates.
That’s who I pay attention to as I watch him play, my heart rate settling every time he checks someone.
I play a game where I try to guess what he’s saying to the other team as he talks shit to them, forcing them to break their concentration.
“Levon is on his game tonight,” Addie murmurs.
“He looks good,” I say, smiling as I think about how that sounds. I am unapologetically obsessed.
Addie’s thumb rolls over the band of my engagement ring as if to help her ground herself as well as she holds my hand. My anxiety is affecting her too.
“The other team,” I finally tell her, sighing. “Number thirty-eight.”
Sitting up straighter, I wait until she sees the name on the back of his jersey. Then, she pulls out her phone and looks him up, refusing to ask me anything since I’m clearly trying to keep it together. Being off my meds is proving to me how much it was affecting me.
I’m still freaking out, but it’s different. My heart rate is racing, my skin feels clammy, but I can survive this. Plus, Addie is with me.
Alone? This might not be true. I’d probably be a mess. I’m so glad that I have her in my life. He’s out there, I’m safe in the stands.
He can’t hurt me here, right?
“No fucking way,” she whispers.
“I didn’t realize he got traded,” I sigh, disappointed in myself. “I’ve been so happy…”
“Nope, we aren’t going to do that,” she says, shoving her phone in her pocket angrily. “You are happy, and you’re going to fucking stay that way. Is that understood?”
The level of passion in her voice is so fierce, I can’t help but give her a watery nod.
“You deserve really good things, dammit. You’re finally getting them too. So we’re going to watch your man beat the Bolts, and then we’re going to move on with our lives,” she says. “He doesn’t get to take anything else from you.”
We both know that she’s refusing to say Luis’ name, and I force myself to take a deep breath.
“Again,” Addie mutters. “No hyperventilating on my watch. You can do this.”
I manage to watch the game and even cheer a little, as long as I refuse to acknowledge Luis’ existence.
It’s difficult because it feels as if someone is watching me, but every time my eyes dart around to see who it is, Luis is on the other side of the ice.
It’s clearly not him who is giving me this icky feeling.
The buzzer sounds, and I shift in my seat uneasily.
“What’s your gut telling you?” Addie asks.
“Someone is watching me, but I can’t figure out who,” I mutter. “We’re in the last period. I can hold out until the end.”
Addie nods, and we watch as the Zamboni glides over the ice to smooth it over.
“Tell me about one good thing that happened today,” she says.
I talk to her about all the things that I’m excited about, and how I’m working on a present for her. I know that if she gets excited, I’ll be able to get swept up in the conversation. Years of being her friend is definitely helping me find ways to ground myself.
The time flies by, and I even yell when Levon scores a goal. He blows me a kiss as he skates past me, making me grin so wide my lips hurt. Luis is a minor player in this game, which helps me get caught back up in my love for hockey.
No one highlights him because he’s a loser, and that’s where he should remain.
“Win for the Scented Scorpions!” the announcer yells as the stadium explodes in celebration. Well, not everyone since there are a lot of fans for the other team.
It looks like the Scented Scorpions have more than their share of fierce rivals.
From what I saw, however, they’re a lot better than the Bolts.
Trading for Luis wasn’t the flex they wanted it to be.
I’ve spent a lot of time ignoring his existence, but I remember Dad used to yell at him to stop being lazy.
His failure as a hockey player has nothing to do with me.
“Let’s get out of here,” Addie says, standing.
I wave at Miles as he turns to find me. I can only imagine what he’s been feeling through the bond.
I’ve been all over the place between disassociating to get through the night and cheering toward the end of the game.
Making my way out of the aisle, I reach for Addie so we won’t get separated.
The push of the crowd is crushing, and Addie squeals as she’s pressed tightly against someone’s back.
The main hallway isn’t much better.
“That was the door to head to the locker rooms,” I say loudly to Addie as we’re pushed past it.
“Time to be less nice,” she says, shoving her way across.
I can’t breathe with all the scents surrounding me, and I gasp as her hand is ripped away from mine.
“Addie!” I yell, grunting in pain as I’m shoved out of the hallway into a less well lit area. My gaze bounces around as I struggle to process what just happened. That shove felt really intentional.
Turning to leave, I feel a sense of déjà vu as I see a tall mountain of a man blocking the entrance.
“Imagine my surprise when I saw you in the crowd,” McCreuger grins.
He’s wearing Bolts colors, and I have the sick realization of why he’s even here.
He takes another step forward while I step back.
“Did you see our boy Luis? He’s gonna be real sorry that he won’t be able to taste you again. It’s his loss.”
That threat breaks my haze, and I turn and bolt down the hallway.
“Help!” I scream, my hand still clutching my stun gun. I’d rather get away from him than use this if I can. I’ll only get one fucking shot to bring him down.
This isn’t the boys club that ignored my tears and screams while I was half naked on the ground. I’m not eighteen anymore, I’m a whole ass omega with a pack.
And I bite back.