Chapter 16
Coach was still reaming into a fuming Henry when we walked into the locker room to shower off practice.
We’d kept our heads out there only because Franklin, our assistant coach, was watching over our omega.
That and we didn’t want to freak her out.
Now, though? When she was out there with him and Henry was before me, I forgot all that composure.
Shouts rang out as I stalked toward him, the coach standing up but not intervening, though he, too, said something that bounced off my ears.
My focus and red hot rage was right on this fucking asshole in front of me.
Before I spoke a word I slammed my fist into his gut. The air rushed out of him at once as he groaned, doubling over.
“When an omega says not to fucking touch her, you keep your creepy fucking hands to yourself!” I screamed, my voice echoing in the entire locker room. “You damn well knew she had mates, we went over this before practice. Yet you felt entitled to touch what’s mine?”
My laugh was hollow and icy, sending a shiver through him as he glared up at me.
“You think you’ve got it all figured out, don’t you?” he bit out, rage making him spit as he spoke. I took a step back, disgust curling my lips. I felt two hands hit my shoulders as my pack stood behind me.
“We’re not doing this in my office. I said I’d handle this and if you want to avoid repercussions, I suggest you go now. You got your hit in,” the coach growled, puffing out his beefy chest to get us to back down.
“So, he gets to hit me, his fucking omega does, too, and I’m the one facing consequences?
!” Henry yelled, hands waving wildly. “I’m so fucking tired of the golden boy getting every fucking thing.
His face in the press, heading half our dances and videos, and what, he just stumbles into an omega and gets his dream life? !”
The resentment and jealousy in his tone took me by surprise. I knew the man had issues, but this was wild.
He hated me for existing.
“Come on,” Jackson urged as he dragged me from Coach’s office. “We have an omega to get back to. I’m sure she’s shaken. We need to do something to get her mind off of things.”
“There’s no way we’re letting her out of our sights now. And we’re all sleeping at our place tonight,” Griff warned. “I’m not leaving her vulnerable until he’s calmed down or moved on.”
“He’s likely off the team,” I said as we walked away. “Meaning he won’t go quietly. I hate that I’ve brought this right to our girl.”
“She’s strong, as she proved today,” Jackson said as he tugged off his shirt and tossed it into the laundry bin. “And she’s got us to watch her back. We should probably warn her co-owners and their packs, though. Just in case.”
“A problem for after showers,” Griff said. “I want to get out of here.”
He stripped out of his clothes, giving us a view of his pasty ass before heading for the showers. Jackson and I followed the lead, hurrying through cleanup so we could get back to our girl.
My head spun with possibilities. She deserved a night out and we weren’t back in Willow Lake, so we had far more options.
Including staying at our usual packhouse here in the city. A place we hadn’t stepped foot in for days.
“What about taking her out to The Oasis?” I asked as we walked out. “We can take her by a shop to get something cute to wear, spoil our girl, feed her dinner, then head out. End at our place far away from Henry and the drama.”
“Does she dance? I mean, she did practice with us earlier,” Jackson mused, though I could see excitement building. He hated people, but loved dancing. And the energy at The Oasis wasn’t like your typical club. There was a hefty cover charge and the bouncers knew us by now.
I rushed through getting dressed, hurrying out to greet Dani who was chatting with Franklin still.
“You trying to steal our girl, too?” I teased. “Damn, peach, I’m going to be fighting alphas off our whole lives, aren’t I?”
She blushed adorably and shook her head in exasperation. “You know that two people can simply talk, right?”
“Don’t be an idiot,” Franklin grumbled. “Have a good night, Dani. I’ll make sure Henry knows to keep his distance. If not, my cousin Landon will get you that restraining order.”
Shit. We didn’t even think about that. Griff clapped me on the back, his way of saying he heard and we’ll handle it.
“We were thinking a night in the city was in order. You in?”
She raised her eyebrows. “You have a game tomorrow, don’t you?”
“Yes,” I agreed. “That doesn’t mean tonight can’t be ours.”
Jackson pulled out the big guns… his dimples. He smiled down at her and pulled her close, brushing a kiss on her temple. “Let us spoil you. We’ll grab something to wear. Dinner. Then dance the night away.”
“That sounds kind of nice,” she admitted, but frowned down at her clothes. “My clothes are all back home, though.”
“We’ve got that covered. Spoiling our omega is our job, remember?” Griff said, challenge in his voice that we all knew she’d meet head on. Our girl was smart and full of fire. She’d never back down.
“Fine,” she groaned, but a smile still played across those plush lips of hers. Unable to look away from them, I tugged her close, her gasp of surprise swallowed by my kiss as I slanted my lips over hers.
“Tell me we can take you home after and show you just how much our alphas need you,” I husked as I pulled away from the kiss. She was putty in my hands. So responsive and sweet, I couldn’t get enough.
In fact, I kissed her again. It could only help the cause.
She groaned, pushing me away. The sweet scent of her arousal teased around us, making me harder than ever.
“Fuck,” Griff cursed.
“Yes, I’m tired of waiting,” she said, her voice full of confidence.
“Shopping first, sweets,” Jackson said with a grin. “Let’s go spend some of Cy’s money.”
“Hey,” I protested, not even mad as they both cackled. I’d never appreciated his ability to bring humor to any situation more. He was perfect for her.
We all were.
It was time to show her.
I felt awkward as we entered the boutique with Dani. I wasn't a shopper. Hell, I did most of my shopping online and just had it delivered. Easy peasy. But I reminded myself that I was here for our girl and that was all I needed to push past that feeling.
Dani went up to the first rack and started browsing when a sales lady approached her.
"Is there something that I can help you with?" she asked Dani, her tone was sweet.
"No, thank you. I'm just looking for the moment," Dani answered, offering a quick smile.
"My name is Sara. If you need anything please let me know," she said with a grin, eyes darting to us.
Dani said thank you before Sara moved on to another customer.
Once she finished looking at the first rack, she glanced to see the three of us standing there near the door.
"Do you guys want to help?" she asked, pointing to the other racks and wiggling her eyebrows.
"What? No, I know nothing about shopping," I answered before the others. Not even her humor could convince me at the moment.
Jackson rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't even know where to start."
Griff just stood next to me with a blank expression.
Her face fell for just a second before she nodded, turning away from us. We shared a look and I knew damn well we weren’t going to let it go now.
“What if we pick some things out and you try it on for us. A sexy little fashion show?"
She chewed on her lip as she turned back. “Are you sure?”
I nodded, earning a smile. Relief hit me. I hated seeing her sad or unsure, especially when we were the cause.
"Deal, but you three should grab an outfit, too. What’s the fun in shopping alone?"
Shit, she turned it around on us. I was going to have a hard enough time finding something for her but now I had to pick something for me, too.
"Come on," Jackson said, slapping us on the shoulder. "Let's get to it. There’s a lot of stuff in here to look through. And I’d hate to be the only sharp dressed alpha tonight."
“Game on,” Griff grunted as he dove in, sorting through the closest rack while we moved to free ones. Dani looked happier now and that was enough for me to take this seriously. I always promised myself I wouldn’t be one of those alphas too put out by the simple things that made his omega happy.
Griff and Jackson held up shirts or pants every so often, getting her approval or the cute wrinkle of her nose.
As I flipped through the hangers, I thought it over. What made me think of her? Colors? Florals? Peach?
Nah, that color wouldn't look good with her red hair.
Green, maybe? I was never good at color theory but that was what I was going to go with. I had a feeling she’d look incredible either way.
My poor guys. They were so sweet to come shopping with me and I knew that there was no way they could just stand in the doorway.
Cy surprised me with the fashion show idea. I just hoped that there weren't too many eyes watching me.
A lot of women were too judgy and I didn't need more of that today.
There were a lot of cute things here but not a lot of the ones I liked came in my size. That was an ego buster but I wasn't going to let that stop me from finding something cute for tonight. I’d moved on to the next rack when the door chimed and I glanced up to see a few women come in.
They chatted loudly as they passed but I didn't pay them much mind, I was thinking about my night on the town with my guys. I finally found a cute little a line dress that was my size that I wanted to try on.
"I found one," I called to my guys and it wasn't long before they joined me, each with their own picks in hand. At least they’d listened and picked out a few things of their own.
I loved that they were holding up pieces from time to time for my opinion.
It felt less intense when it was for all of us dressing up, not just me.
"Let's find the dressing rooms. I can't wait for you to model for us," Jackson smiled, his eyes lighting up at the thought.