Chapter 24 #2
“That was enough to give me a heart attack.” My elbow is jostled, and Nikita thrusts her hip flask into my hand.
“A little after-match celebration is in order.” Her smile beams, with a glow touching her cheeks, providing evidence of how much mid-match celebrating has already taken place while we’ve been watching the game.
“What am I in for this time?” I grimace. Until now, I haven’t had anything to drink.
“A Nikita surprise.” She shrugs.
Taking a cautious sip, it leaves my eyes watering and throat on fire. “Ughhh. It burns. That’s like a pure shot of hot coals,” I splutter.
“Infused with cardamom and maple. It’s like winter’s slutty sister.”
I can’t help but laugh, dragging the back of my hand across my mouth. “Alright, well, bring your promiscuous buddy, and we’ll go wait for Finch by the side of the pitch.”
“Ahh, yes. Because we all know it’s your brother you’re dying to see after a win like that.”
“Shut your face.” I bat at her shoulder playfully.
Meanwhile, it takes everything to bite back the way my brain and body immediately squeal at the prospect of seeing Connor there, too.
She’s absolutely correct on that front.
Not to mention, there’s another person I can’t explain why I’m feeling so drawn to see. It seems unthinkable, considering how cold he always is to me, but I’m all stomach flutters at the thought of Atlas maybe being with either of them when they stop to chat before heading back to the locker room.
Altas Palamo. That’s a whole situation I have yet to get my head around after seeing him unexpectedly at my brother’s place earlier this week. Even more perplexing is the fact that I haven’t told either of the girls about our run-in.
Or the fact that he was shirtless.
Yeah… I really can’t dwell on that fleeting image of his bare chest, of all those tattoos covering his pecs that I wish I’d had a chance to pay closer attention to, because there’s every chance I might just explode into a teeny tiny Omega fireball.
Screw whatever potion Nikita has mixed up in her hip flask, my insides are running white hot at the mere thought of how much muscle and smooth brown skin was on display.
The copious amount of ink thrown in? Downright terrible temptation. Pure and simple.
“Quick, let’s send Gabbie a photo.” I’m arm wrestled into something of a headlock as Nikita takes a selfie showing the scene behind us.
Our missing third today had a trial placement at the library for a potential position there—we’ve all been tasked with picking up hours in volunteer capacities as part of our scholarship program.
We push our way to a spot at the barrier, and while Nikita sends her message to Gabbie, I pull out my phone and send a quick picture of the field to the person I wish was here but know for a fact is sitting back in Willow Falls watching live-stream coverage.
Theo doesn’t travel with the team for away games, unless they’re playoffs or finals. Or so I’ve found out, thanks to our little tidbits of conversation we snatch here and there. So I settle for a quick photo.
Me:
A nail-biter! x
His reply comes straight away. Making me go all weak at the knees with how fast this man replies. Something my ex never did, which is yet another stark contrast between father and son.
Jesus. What is wrong with me?
Theo:
I don’t need as many gray hairs as these games are gonna give me.
Are you safe to get back to Willow Falls, my birdie girl? All you need to do is say the word, and I can come pick you up. No ulterior motives.
Me:
I promise, you don’t need to drive all the way out here.
Theo:
This is my sad face, I’ll have you know. You’re gonna have me giving full puppy dog eyes any day soon.
“Hey, Wrenegade.” My brother’s voice cuts off any further attempts at flirting with a man I shouldn’t be thinking twice about, let alone texting back.
Slipping my phone into my pocket, I give him a smile and pretend an air hug from across the barrier.
I could touch him… but he’s at peak sweaty mess. No thanks.
Another Alpha on the team, however? Christ. I shake off where my stray thoughts of how nuzzling into his collar bone and sucking down deep inhales of man-scent, while rubbing all over a strong, muscled body might feel.
“Close call, huh?” Focus on your brother, Wren. Not where his other teammates might be.
“It was kinda brutal.” He squirts water all over his hair and face from a drink bottle, then shakes it off like a dog.
“Good game, Murphy.” Nikita grins. “I damn near burst a lung just for you.”
“Appreciate it. Thanks for coming.” He offers the standard issue Finch charm and smile, before that expression hardens ever so slightly. It’s as if he’s just realized something is missing, and looks a little concerned for a moment, eyes flicking between the two of us. “Just the two of you today?”
Oh, god. Here we go. The overprotective brother treatment is about to make its grand entrance.
“We’re fine.” I’m quick to squeeze Nikita against me. God forbid he notices just how much of her blood is ninety-proof cinnamon liquor right now. “Got tickets for the supporters’ bus back to Willow Falls. Just wanted to come say hi before we get going.”
Finch slaps one hand on the railing and glares at me, pointing right at my face with his water bottle. “Two Omegas surrounded by a whole lot of Alphas who’ve been drinking? I don’t think so.”
My mouth opens and closes. I’m not quick enough to find a reply.
“Stay right here. You’re on the team bus for the trip back.”
Swallowing down the immediate sense of panic about being stuck in close proximity to the last person I need my brother to see me anywhere near, I fumble for a weak excuse. “You won’t have room for us.” It’s a lie. I know they always have spare seats.
“Some of the guys are driving back with their families.” Yep. There’s the confirmation. “You know our afternoon matches are different from the usual schedule.”
Unfortunately, I do. When it’s a nighttime kickoff, things work a little differently than daytime fixtures, where the team wants to encourage families and especially school kids to attend.
“There are always seats available on the return trip.” Finch squirts another mouthful of water, keeping his eyes narrowed on me.
“Okay.” My heart feels like it’s about to race for the sky. “Thanks for looking out for us.” Or, you know, just putting me in the most awkward of positions, where I’m about to be fighting for my life not to perfume the minute I see Connor up close. Never mind needing to keep Nikita on a leash.
We get marched by Finch to a place to wait—some sort of VIP lounge near the locker rooms—while the team showers and does media stand-ups. All the post-match away game routine they need to churn through before hitting the road.
It’s a sheer miracle I’ve managed to avoid running into the giant Scottish Alpha, although I certainly hear his name plenty enough.
The guy pops up in damn near every conversation we can hear as the trainers and media come and go.
It’s all bustle until Finch pokes his head in, wearing his suit with an open collar and wet hair.
“C’mon. Let’s move, you two.” For some reason, he seems to look a little flat, even though it was a big win. I’m hoping he hasn’t picked up a lingering injury or something, although knowing my brother, he’ll be reluctant as fuck to admit to that anytime soon.
We pass through the concrete corridors winding beneath the stadium grandstand, and once we hit the parking lot, Nikita erupts into giggles.
While we’ve been waiting and chatting, more of that hip flask’s contents have disappeared, leaving one very merry Omega swaying her way across the asphalt at my side.
“Oh my, what a big bus you boys have.” She snorts. “I guess all that extra girth comes in handy.”
“You’re gonna have us left behind to walk.” I laugh and poke her in the ribs as she squeals with mirth.
“Consider me the post-match entertainment. How many inappropriate size-related jokes can I cram in before we get back to Willow Falls? Oh, wait. That was a better one.” She cackles.
“Will it all fit? Can we squeeze in?” One manicured hand waves in the direction of the team bus, wrapped in Wolves insignia.
Finch groans as he gets to the door, stepping aside to let us go ahead of him. “Back seat for you both.”
“Oooooh. Only the naughty ones get sent to the back of the bus.” Nikita grins.
I pat his cheek as I step up into the footwell beside the automatic door. “Again, may I remind you that it was you who insisted on this.” Jerking my chin in her direction, I roll my eyes for his benefit.
Nikita hollers back. “Can this thing pull up to a drive-through? I could murder a crisp Diet Coke, fries, and a burger.”
“Just… get in the back,” he grumbles.
From the corner of my eye, I see other players starting to stroll out of the stadium and have to duck my head to hide the rush of heat rising to my cheeks. So I do as he says, shooing Nikita ahead of me, running from any possibility of my brother noticing the way I’m turning a shade of beetroot.
God, I want to see Connor, and at the same time, I don’t want to see Connor, and it’s really just messing with my needy little Omega brain.
The bus starts to fill up with all the high spirits of a victorious team, and Gus is right in the thick of it all with his portable speaker pumping out music.
The guy might be built like a mountain, but he’s got the smoothest moves and a voice like deep velvet as he sings and shimmies his way down the center aisle.
“My Omega queens.” He spots us and a broad smile lights his face. “Get down here, babe. Our best girls are on board.” Dragging his boyfriend behind him, they make a beeline for Nikita, who is right there with them to join in the karaoke sing-along.