Chapter Ten
As much as it sucks to do it, I end up having to cancel on Jameson. I spend all day running around like a chicken with my head lobbed off. I made it to my first class, but I didn't have my bag that was sitting in my dorm room. So I have to take notes on my phone, much to my professors dismay. She reminds me so much of the teachers we had on the compound. Her personality would fit right in there.
After her class was over, I literally ran to my room to get my bag and from there, the rest of the day just delved into chaos. I didn't have time for breakfast, so by the time lunch rolled around, I was starving. Had to grab something quick and run, though. Mondays are my busiest day, and I just feel like I'm so far behind all day long.
By the time that I get to practice, my feet are dragging, and my focus isn't where it needs to be. Not only am I exhausted but I keep replaying last night with Grady in my head.
Coach yells at me for the third time, "Ellis, get your head in the game or I'm taking you out this weekend."
No matter what Jameson says, I can't lose my scholarship. Even if I have a place to go, the scholarship is paying for my school. There's absolutely no way that I can afford to.
"Sorry coach," I yell back. Sucking in a deep breath, I pretend all of the other stuff leaves me as the breath does. I give it my full undivided attention so much that I'm a gross sweaty mess by the time that practice is over.
"Good job, Ellis," Coach praises as we go to the locker room.
Nichole brushes by us with an attitude, but I can't control how this is happening if she's not willing to give it the same hundred and ten percent.
I pack up my gym bag as quickly as possible, throwing on my NFU sweatshirt and walking out. I'd rather not be trapped in here with any of them, let alone, taking a communal shower. Now that my roommates are beyond pissed, I've started to notice the weird looks and whispering from the rest of the team whenever I'm around. One of them even whispers freak as I walk out.
My stomach hurts from a mixture of this long day and being so tired, and not having ate since earlier, burning all my calories at practice, and the stress of being around people. Heading back to the dorm, I take a very long hot shower until my muscles loosen enough that I'm practically falling asleep standing up.
When I get out and throw on a pair of shorts and Kinkaid's hoodie, I get to my phone and send a quick text to Jameson telling him the change of plans.
Want me to break into your dorm so you'll have a sleep buddy?
The thought makes me laugh, because I'm not so sure that he's not kidding.
I wish. My roommates would rat you out faster than you could blink.
I could go into super stealth mode. They'll never know I'm there.
I laugh again, telling him that I'll see him tomorrow. Grabbing my normal stuff, I put it in the front pocket of the hoodie before I throw on some shoes and head out toward the dining hall.
Turns out, I lied to Jameson when I'd see him the next day, because I've made it all the way to Friday and haven't been able to see them at all. Apparently, the team that we're playing tomorrow is the school's biggest rival, so Coach has been running super late practices. Makes me really glad all week that I did all my classwork ahead of time, since all I've had time to do all week other than class is eat, practice and sleep. I don't want to screw up my chances like I almost did Monday, so I stay on campus and keep my head where it needs to be. Besides, I needed the rest anyway.
Midway through the week, Raine had texted asking if I'd changed my mind. In the same day, Grady waited until I was free for the night before calling to make sure that he hadn't scared me away. I reassured them both that I'd just been busy all week. By the time today rolls around, I'm missing them something awful. Kinkaid's hoodie no longer smells like him, and it makes me sad. It makes me wonder if I could manage to steal some of their clothes next time I'm over there.
I'm sitting outside at our bench like I've done for a couple nights now when I don't want to be trapped in the tiny space of my room. Going out into the main area just isn't an option now. My roommates’ snide comments and dirty looks is making me an angry person that I don't like. It doesn't help that their scents have started to make my skin itch uncontrollably. I don't know if it's frustration with them or that they just aren't the right scents I need right now. Either way, it sucks. I'm just glad the weather doesn't. It's a nice calm night with only a bit of wind. It's going to start getting cold soon. I can tell by the small bite in the breeze, and I love it.
My phone goes off in my pocket, and I take it out, smiling as I see Kinkaid's name on the screen.
Where are you pretty girl?
I love that he used Raine's nickname.
Our bench.
Don't move. Be there in a few.
I think about the fact that I'm just in a pair of workout shorts and a hoodie with my hair thrown up on top of my head and wonder if he's going to think I'm a slob. Then again, he saw my bits and pieces as I did the run of shame through his house the other day, so I think I'll be fine.
I hear them before I see them as Emerson catcall whistles. Standing, I go to meet them halfway, giving them both long hugs. Emerson kisses the top of my head, but Kinkaid lifts my chin with his finger and claims my mouth instead. When we pull away, I keep my eyes closed for a second, enjoying them just being here.
"Long week?" he asks, throwing an arm around my shoulders as we start walking slowly back to the bench.
I reach out and take Emerson's hand, smiling at him, needing physical contact with them both before I answer, "You have no idea."
"Well, it's almost the weekend," Emerson supplies optimistically.
"That it is," I sigh.
Kinkaid hugs me tight against his body. "Well, we brought something that might cheer you up."
He holds up a brown paper sack, and I can only hope that he brought me a lava cake. Sure enough, when we get to the table and he starts unpacking it, there's a chicken and veggie meal that I ate at lunch with them and my favorite, the cake.
"You're the best," I tell him digging in with the plasticware he was thoughtful enough to bring.
"Hey," Emerson cries. "What about me? I'm support buddy over here."
I laugh, hiding my mouth with my hand. "Yes, you're the best, too."
"What are you doing out here in the dark?" Kinkaid asks, looking around.
I glance around with him, not realizing until now that it is actually pretty dark here. The bench falls directly between two light poles. I try to get away with telling them that I just needed air, but it doesn't work. Eventually, I end up spilling the beans about my roommates.
"Marnie, love, that is not okay," he tells me with worry in his tone.
Emerson rubs the top of my bare thigh. "You really should talk to your coach or housing advisor or something. I'm sure they can work out other arrangements."
"They offered," I admit. "But they're all so pissed at me already. I don't want the team thinking I'm getting special treatment."
"Mmm," Kinkaid hums in understanding.
Emerson squeezes my leg. "You can always come live with us. You've already got your room."
My heart feels like it swells at his offer. "I can't do that, because the commute would be awful. I don't have a license and can't rely on you guys to get me to and fro."
"Of course you can," Kinkaid argues. "That's how packs work. If you don't think we don't rely on each other for things on the daily, you're wrong."
"Who do you think does all our cooking?" Emerson asks making a silly face at Kinkaid.
"And our laundry." Kinkaid adds, laughing with me.
"I figured Grady did," I admit.
They laugh again before saying together, "He does."
Sitting here like this has healed a wound I didn't even know that I needed to be nursing. At least that's what it feels like. I'm sad when they tell me that they need to go so I can get rest for the game tomorrow. Which they ask the time and place for since it's an away game. They tell me they'll all be there as we stroll slowly back to my dorm, something they leave no argument for.
When we make it there and come to a stop, Kinkaid reaches out to pinch his hoodie between his fingers. "This thing can't possibly have my scent on it anymore."
"I haven't washed it," I admit quietly, making him chuckle. "But it's not on there anymore."
"Here," he says, whipping the one he's wearing over his head. For a moment there's a sliver of skin that gets exposed as his shirt gets caught, and I reach out to run my finger across it, sneaking it into the hem so that I'm able to pull him toward me. His breath hitches as we come flush against each other. When his head comes out of his hoodie, his expression is one that makes me wish we were back at their place right now.
Voices echo off the side of the building like someone is coming from the other direction, but I don't care. I'm going to get a goodnight kiss from him. Emerson the sweetheart that he is, steps closer and over a smidge so that we're blocked from whoever is coming our way.
But it also means that he gets a front row seat to Kinkaid ravaging me. Like a man starved, he kisses me like he never has before. It's deep, and I literally have to come up for air. When we finally pull away, he gives me one more short quick kiss on the lips.
Turning to Emerson, I see that he didn't look away during the exchange and has fire in his eyes waiting his turn. He's the only one I haven't kissed now since I laid one on Jameson the other day. Testing his reaction to my touch, I reach out to press my palm against the rock-hard planes of his stomach. He leans into it, getting closer until the three of us are in one big huddle.
"If you want it, you're going to have to take it," I tell him. "I'm short and can't reach that high."
Kinkaid chuckles at my side right before Emerson leans down and claims my lips. And when I say claims, that's exactly what I mean. Where his twin was surprisingly docile the other day, he makes up for it. He does his own ravaging much as Kinkaid did until I'm left breathless and contemplating my options for going home with them.
Unfortunately, I apparently have the willpower of steel, and let them leave. But not without trading hoodies with Kinkaid with his promise that he's going to wash the one we traded and wear it so we can trade again. Of course, not one to be left out, Emerson wanted me to have something of his too, so he strips off his own jacket and hands it over. Do I tell them that I can't wear two at once or that I'm just fine with one? No, because I'm a sinful, greedy little omega that wants to start a collection of their scents.
We wave bye with promises of seeing each other tomorrow. As I crawl into my empty bed with a full belly, I'm thankful for how lucky I am to have a pack like them. With both of their scents in bed with me, I text them all and tell them goodnight.
The next morning, I wake up feeling better than I have all week. It was either getting to see them last night and sleeping with their scents, or the fact that I'll be free for a bit after the game today, or the cake. It's probably the cake.
Getting dressed, I make sure I have all of the things I'll need for the game and pack in some extra clothes in my bag. I figure I'll probably ride back with the pack to their place. Locking everything up and racing over to where we're meeting coach for the bus, I'm a little early and get first pick of seats. I put in my new earbuds and jam as I get pumped for the game.
We make it and are almost finished when they show up. At first it just whispers in the stands that I've tried to tune out, but it slowly trickles down to both teams. I finally hear that everyone is freaking out about the twins being here. I glance up to see the five of them in the bleachers. They're all wearing my number. Grady and Raine both have paint on their faces. The former with his big foam finger that he waves at me as he catches me looking at them. I laugh and shake my head. The twins sitting in the middle both wear hats and have their heads down like they're trying to hide from the crowd, and it makes me feel bad. Jameson lifts his head like he feels my stare. I smile at him. Remember the ride and kiss from the other day relights that fire in my belly. Eyes still locked on mine, he whips the hat off his head, drawing the attention of his brother who does the same. It's almost like he's proving that he's willing to take the heat to be there for me. Call me crazy, but it sends my instincts into overdrive. I have to fight the idea of dragging him somewhere more private.
Fortunately for all involved, the game starts. We're up a good amount for the first while then they start catching back up. I block out everything else and put everything I am into every block, assist and dive. The crowd goes crazy at every hit we make, pumping us up all the more. We beat our opponents by a mere three points, but a win is a win.
We're hydrating and wiping the sweat off our bodies when Coach comes over. "Good job out there, girls. Especially, you Marnie. You had quite the cheering section today."
"It's because she's banging the whole damn section," Whitney snaps loudly.
The team snickers, but Coach gets pissed. "Monday morning. My office. Bullying will not be tolerated on this team."
Whitney glares daggers at me as does most of the team, but I go after Coach for an entirely different reason. "Please don't punish her."
"I have to," Coach remarks angrily. "If I don't, she won't stop, and it'll encourage the others to do the same."
She walks away, leaving me standing with the blood drained from my face. I don't know what kind of punishment she'll get, but I know the ones we got on the compound for something like this was to be feared. I ignore all of their comments as I pack my bag and head to the locker room, ignoring my cheering section on the way, too.
I grab the quickest shower ever before the room starts to fill, dressing and walking out. On my way, one of the senior girls bumps into my shoulder sending me flying into the lockers.
"Oops, sorry," she says with menace.
The pack is waiting where I last saw them, only they're surrounded by a small crowd of people. I don't feel like fighting my way through it and having all of those strangers touching me, so I make eye contact with Raine before walking away. I can hear him doing what sounds like shoving people out of the way to catch up with me. By the time we get outside, the others have caught up, too.
I stomp toward the parking lot, not answering their questions as they fire them at me asking what's going on. I stop at the curb and look toward the bus and toward where I see two familiar cars. Neither option appealing. Either I go with the team and have to deal with the bull crap, or I go with the pack and risk being this angry person with them that I don't want to be.
Arms wrap around my middle, and I can tell from the vanilla scent that it's Grady even before he murmurs in my ear. "Whatever has you so upset, talk to us and let us help you."
I take a deep breath and relax back into his embrace. I tell them everything that just happened as Grady turns us to face them, and I get to see their expressions morph into anger.
"Sorry, babe, but I agree with the coach here," Jameson says. "And don't look at me like that. It's bad enough your roommates are bitches, but to turn the whole team against you because you play better than the three of them combined? That's bullshit."
"Not all punishments are fair and deserved," I argue.
Raine's chin tips up like he finally understands something before he says, "But, I think we can all agree that this one is both fair and deserved."
I take another deep breath, knowing he's right. The word must've been some sort of trigger in my mind and sent me into a spiral.
"Can we just go home, and order take out or something?" I ask. "I'm tired of being around people today."
They all readily agree. Grady doesn't give me any warning before he moves in front of me and bends down to pick me up, throwing me over his shoulder and leaving my bag dangling. Jameson is closest and reaches out to take it out of my hands.
A laugh bubbles out of me as I reach down to tap Grady's butt cheeks. "This is a mighty fine view."
We're all laughing as we load up in their cars.