Chapter 15
After thirty minutes of my pack practicing, I almost forgot about the whole Henry incident. It didn't hurt that Griff had taken off his shirt.
He was like chiseled marble perfection and it was hard for me to concentrate on anything else. Sure, I'd seen him shirtless on TV, but this was in person. My computer screen pixels didn't do him justice.
There was no way I’d ever survive us taking the pack to the next level. Just imagining all three of them around me, naked, was enough to spontaneously combust.
It took everything in me to control myself before my scent alerted the coaches to my not-so-wholesome thoughts.
A few minutes later, Coach blew into his whistle and called a water break.
The dugout soon filled up with sweaty ball players.
My three surrounded me in a wet hug. Even though I was semi grossed out, my omega side reveled in it.
These gorgeous men were mine, drenched in sweat and full of their natural alpha musk.
In the strangest omega move yet, I had to stop myself from burying my nose in their armpits where I knew it would be strongest.
Ew. Calm down, omega, that’s just nasty.
Griff was the first one to speak, whispering in my ear. "Group shower later?"
I felt my cheeks go pink, but I was down for it, if they were. Well, that was until I saw Henry glaring at me. My blood ran cold as the memory of him cornering me ran through my mind.
My scent soured, all three of them freezing and looking down at me. The mood shifted from hot to worried.
"Let’s not do this in front of the team," I hedged, their growls echoing around me and sending another shiver through me. It was odd to be at war between two such visceral feelings.
"Henry is looking, isn't he?" Jackson asked, always far too intuitive.
"He is," I confirmed, my eyes flicking that way for just a breath, realizing he was still staring at us. “Not even trying to hide it.”
"Maybe we should give him a show," Cy said as he moved in closer to my neck from behind me. His breath teased over my skin, doing nothing to drench the rising heat between us.
"That sick fuck might like it," Griff commented and I agreed with him. Nothing about this moment was sexy, not with him right there. My stomach was churning with nerves and I hated it, but had to step away.
The coach’s voice saved me from myself as it cut through the tension. “Get your asses back out there!”
It was just as much a relief to see Henry go, as it was my pack, though for very different reasons.
I just hoped Henry’s little moment didn’t cause issues on the field. So far it was more glares and growls than anything.
Jackson was on the mound just about to send the ball to Cy and guess who was batting. That asshole, Henry.
He stepped up to the plate and glanced at me, sending a wink my way. My body shivered in disgust and willed Jackson to ping him with a pitch but instead he threw a strike. I'd take it. Hopefully, once he struck out, that would bring his ego down a notch or two.
The next pitch was a strike and Jackson had one more ball to make it three but Henry foul tipped it.
"You got this, Jackson!" I yelled from the dugout.
My cheer got me a few looks but I didn't care. Jackson gave me a little wink as he prepared himself to throw the ball again.
Henry did a little bat flip as he waited. He thought it was cute but just made him look like an idiot. Half of me wished that he would hit himself in the face but he didn’t.
I watched as Jackson took a breath and he sent the ball to Cy. Henry swung and missed. Did I do a little victory dance right then and there? Yes, yes I did.
After that practice seemed to fall into what I assumed was its normal intensity. Everyone was focused, swapping players in and out as they went along.
A ping on my phone had me reading some new email notifications from some of our suppliers before someone moved closer. I froze, realizing just who it was.
Henry.
I didn't dare to move a muscle as he leaned closer and sniffed my hair.
What the fuck.
"They won't always be here to protect you," Henry whispered in a low snarl that was equal parts vindictive and filled with lust.
Fear clawed at my throat, making it hard to breathe or speak. For a moment, it had me frozen there while he crowded me. My pulse rushed through my ears, my vision dotting for a moment as it all became too much.
He chuckled, nose hitting my skin as he breathed in my terror.
Then my rational mind kicked in, or my omega was pissed off that another alpha dared to touch us. It sparked with the anger at his lack of boundaries. The way he smirked at me when I whipped my head around to glare at him, pushed me over the edge.
Moving on instinct, my fist was slamming into his nose before I even realized it. Though, I could only find satisfaction left behind when the anger started to fade. There was a sickening—but glorious—crunch when I landed the jab.
“You bitch!” he bit out, voice nasally as he brought his hands to his quickly swelling nose, trying to control the bleeding. With his hands out of the way, my foot slammed right into his dick, using every ounce of strength to drive my point across.
“Don’t ever fucking touch me again,” I growled, voice half feral as the words tore out of me. My omega had never been this close to the surface before.
“You crazy fucking omega!” he screamed, hobbling backwards. “Someone help!”
I could hear people shuffling forward but I was in a daze, breathing heavily and wishing I could douse my neck in bleach.
Fucking creep.
“Medic!” The commotion had brought the coaches back. Henry hadn’t made it far, but the blood running from his nose had stained his shirt and he was still clutching his balls.
What a baby.
The team’s medics rushed over to check him out. They fussed for a moment and pressed a wad of tissue on his nose to staunch the bleeding.
“What happened?” the beta asked as he handed over an ice pack for his groin. Henry pointed to me in the dugout and I just gave a shrug and a wave as they all turned my way.
There wasn’t any guilt to be found. He deserved what he got and I had to prove I wasn’t going to take it. Alphas like Henry didn’t just let things go. If he thought I was an easy target then he’d strike again.
“What the fuck?!” Griff’s outraged bark rang out before the others took notice, the rest of the team rushing to join us now, my pack at the front.
“Sweets?” Jackson asked, glancing from me to Henry, fury on his pretty face. There were no dimples in sight now. He looked downright murderous.
Before I could even answer, all three of them had their hands on me, running down my exposed flesh and making sure I was in one piece. Their noses wrinkled, obviously they could tell he was a little too close.
“Henry thought it was okay to creep up behind me. He was pressing his fucking face to my neck and smelling me. Even said that you guys won’t always be here to protect me, so I protected myself!” I said, yelling out the last part for everyone to hear what a piece of trash he was.
The coaches frowned, hissing to each other in low voices and I winced, realizing I’d helped make a scene.
"Shit. Sorry, I didn't mean to get you in trouble."
They glanced back where the coach and assistant coach were talking, looking upset.
"He had it coming, peach. We’ll deal with the coaches if we have to," Cy promised me. His voice was hard, jaw set and teeth grinding together like he might break them. I think if it wasn’t for his hand on me, he might run after the asshole.
"Damn, sweets, I didn't know you had it in you," Jackson joked. It was an obvious attempt to lift the mood but not one of us smiled. Not even him.
"He tried to fucking scent me,” I said with a shudder, not meeting their eyes. “Make it better.”
They didn’t hesitate to erase every bit of his scent with their own, quickly running their faces on my neck and chasing it away until my omega was satisfied.
I started to open my mouth to send them back to the field, but it was too late, the coaches were walking towards us.
"Boys, can you tell me why Henry is bleeding and walking funny?" the closest one asked with a raised brow and crossed arms in the typical no-nonsense alpha pose. Even if it was directed at the guys, he gave me a pointed look.
"She already asked him to leave her alone earlier when he cornered her outside the locker room. Caged her in and didn’t back off when she asked. Now, he was smelling her and touching her again without permission, so she defended herself. He was asking for it," Griff answered.
Not wanting them to take the brunt of the coaches’ frustration, I spoke up, too. “Despite saying no earlier he told me that the guys couldn’t always be here and tried to prove it. He wouldn’t back off, so I punched him in the nose and kicked him in the balls.”
They both blinked at me as the words sank in. Then fury twisted their features.
“I’m sorry that happened to you in our stadium, but I promise you he will be dealt with,” one coach said.
The other grinned. “Seems he got what he deserved. Nice hit.”
Did this coach not like Henry, either? I had a feeling that I was going to like him, if so.
"You three get your asses back on the field. I’ve got a bleeding player to deal with. Miss, you take care but try not to hurt anymore of my players?" the coach asked. He wasn’t disapproving, more tired and not wanting to deal with more bullshit.
“I’ll do my best,” I told him honestly. Leaving the ‘if they keep their distance’ left unsaid. We all knew damn well this was on Henry and not me.
“Are you okay?” Griff asked, ignoring the coaches now.
“Yes,” I promised, my hand resting on his cheek so he was forced to look at me. His dark blue eyes were still furious. “He’ll be handled. You go play.”
“I’ll be watching out,” the assistant coach promised the guys, moving closer to me now.
They were reluctant, but couldn’t say no. With one last glance my way followed by a warning look at the coach, they finally moved back to their positions on the field.
"Do you play ball?" the assistant coach asked. He was studying me with a curious expression as he put himself between the building and me just in case.
Likely the only reason the pack walked away.
"For fun. I'm not too good. I'm more of a book nerd," I answered. "I’ve got a bookshop in Willow Lake. I do have an idea to get the players and my bookstore some more followers if you're interested, though."
"I'll get you in contact with our PR department. Have Griff, Cy, or Jackson get your number to Devon and we can get it set up," he told me.
The fact he didn’t dismiss me right away gave me hope. Maybe it would mitigate the backlash I was already receiving.
The words scrawled across the front of my building weren’t forgotten.
"That would be amazing, thank you," I said before he headed out to the field with a simple nod. He hung back closer to the dugout, making sure I was safe.
Once the field was back in motion, I pulled out my phone to text Taryn and Bea. I should've discussed this with them before opening my mouth but I had a strong feeling that they would be okay with it.
Dani: Ladies, you know how Taryn had her guys do thirst trap videos. Well, what if we have some of the Knockouts doing them? They could read any type of book or scene. Just to get some views for the bookstore and the team?
Taryn: Oh, I like that and I think our followers will as well. I say we film them at the ball field, too. Right after practice, so they’re all sweaty. That sells more.
Bea: Yes, we can do it on the field, in the dugout, the locker room and more. It would be perfect. So many possibilities!
Dani: Oh good, because I already mentioned something to the coaches and they are going to put me in touch with their PR department. I just wanted to clear it with you guys.
Taryn: Thanks for the heads up, but you're part owner. If you have an idea it’s okay to run with it. Unless you're making a purchase or something. Then consult us.
Bea: Yes bitch, own it. LOL
Dani: I love you ladies. Now be jealous of me watching my guys in baseball pants.
Bea: Pictures or it didn't happen.
Taryn: Enjoy the rest of your day off. See you back here tomorrow.
I pulled up my camera on my phone and snapped a couple pictures of the other players to send to Bea and Taryn. Bea sent a fire emoji back and Taryn just hearted the pictures. Then it was time to put the phone up and admire my pack in their natural habitat.
The rest of practice went by faster than I'd like, meaning that my day with my guys was coming to an end soon and I wasn't ready.
When they jogged into the dugout, they each kissed me before heading to the showers while I tried to come up with something to keep them close tonight.
After the two run-ins with Henry, I wasn’t ready to let them go.