Chapter 19
Practice was awkward as fuck and I was over it before we’d even reached the field. A few of the guys on the team had shown support, and a few were glaring like we were the problem.
Of course, those were the unmated men on our team. The ones who vowed to play the field and never let a beta or omega ‘tie’ them down.
As if they even had a say in the matter. The pull I felt the moment I scented Dani was strong and unavoidable. The fact I wanted her as much as my alpha did was the icing on the cake.
Henry was blessedly absent.
We hadn’t heard the final decision since the coach had to talk to the owners and the league itself. Our branch of baseball wasn’t like the majors, we had different rules and boundaries but I was certain the asshole violated several.
Coach was waiting for us on the field, his arms crossed in his usual stance. His already harsh features were downright venomous today.
“Gather ‘round. We need to have a little chat.”
“You kicked him, didn’t you?” Davies asked. The frustration in his voice aimed right at Coach was disrespectful. Coach’s eyebrows rose as he zeroed in on Davies’s furious face.
“Got a problem with how I run this team?”
Davies scoffed. “Not when it’s not personal. Golden boy over there gets his little feelings hurt and we get booted over it?”
Clearly, Henry didn’t bother to share the whole story. Maybe it was time to clear that up.
“What the hell! Why is everyone calling me the golden boy?” Cy growled before I could speak. His playfulness was gone now, he was out for blood, baring his teeth at the other alpha, ready for a fight.
Coach’s whistle cut through them before a fight could break out.
“I think everyone is misinformed on the facts, Coach,” I said evenly. At least I kept my voice respectful. “Can we clear that up, please?”
Coach nodded in agreement. “We sure as hell can. Let’s start by saying that Henry was responsible for his own actions.
Cornering an omega, making her uncomfortable and making advances, despite her saying to stop, is not tolerated within this stadium, this team, or this league.
It didn’t just happen once, but twice in the same practice.
The moment Henry forgot what the word ‘consent’ meant and put his hands on her and crossed lines he never should have, he sealed his own fate. ”
I glared at Davies. He scoffed, but shifted uncomfortably.
“What’s wrong, Davies? Not the story you got?”
“No,” he huffed out. “Said she was the one coming onto him.”
I laughed. The idea of Dani giving that creep the time of day was hilarious.
Our assistant coach stepped up, holding up his hand for silence. “I was nearby and witnessed the end of it. There was no doubt that he was at fault.”
Davies looked away. He wasn’t the type to apologize. His ego would never allow that.
“Now, if you need to read your rules, feel free. Otherwise, we are one player short for now and we have practice. We’ll pull one of our backups in, we’ve already chosen and Lancaster is with our PR team doing some social media introductions. As for the rest of you….”
He blew hard into the whistle. This was something ingrained in us at this point, all of us moving at once into position, ready to run drills. He always made mornings at the summer camp seem like a cake walk.
My muscles were burning soon enough and it was helping fight off the darker thoughts trying to take up residence in my head.
Though, the moment I was resting they were right back. Henry was kicked, that meant that his future was ripped away along with the rejection. Our entire pack, but especially our omega, was in danger.
Who knew how far Henry would take this?
One glance at Jackson and Cy told me they had the same fears. My skin was crawling with the need to see her with my own eyes, to know she was safe.
Jackson pulled out his phone the moment we hit the lockers, ignoring his sweaty clothes.
“Hey, sweets, just checking in,” he said, a smile on his face but the worry didn’t leave his eyes. He paled. “No, nothing’s wrong.”
Her voice rose loud enough I could hear. “Don’t lie to me, Jackson. The bond had me jittery all afternoon."
Shit. I tried to lock it down. Guess we failed.
Sighing, I took the phone. “Hey, gorgeous. We just had practice and heard the official word that Henry was kicked. Don’t leave work alone, okay? We’ll be there to pick you up. We just want to be extra cautious until this blows over.”
She didn’t answer at first, but I could hear her steady breathing. “Alright, I’ll wait.”
Our omega was strong and putting on a brave front, but I appreciated she wasn’t going to fight us on it.
“Do I need to be scared?” she asked quietly.
“No. We’ve got you, Dani. We won’t let him get close enough. However, I think you should tell the others. We’d also like to pay for better security for the shop if you all are okay with that?”
“After the vandalism I doubt they’d mind,” she said. “I’ll ask them and let you know tonight.
“Okay, we have to get to the showers, keep your eyes open and stay safe. We’ll be in town soon.”
“I will. You be safe, too,” she said firmly. “You’re just as important.”
Jackson snatched his phone back, glaring at me.
“Hey, sweets. He’s right, don’t be afraid. We’ll be there soon and he’s not stupid enough to do anything with a crowd there.”
They each talked to our girl for a few minutes before ending the call. Cy let out a long breath.
“I hate this.”
“It won’t last long,” I said. “Henry is only brave when it’s just them. Notice he didn’t try that shit in front of us. Between us and her friends, she’ll be safe.”
DANI
The guys’ warning stayed with me long after the conversation I had with Taryn and Bea. They were fine with extra security and once Taryn called her guys, they agreed to help keep an eye on the shop when they could as well.
Taryn even went as far as talking to the neighboring businesses to keep an eye out. Another perk to working and living in a small town. We weren’t alone. Even strangers looked out for each other here.
The door chimed as the pizza delivery driver came in carrying our usual big order. I don’t think I’ve ever been this grateful for a distraction in my life.
"The usual spot?" he called out as he peered around the stack of boxes.
"Yes, thank you," I said as I pulled out the cash I had in my pocket to pay him.
He laid them out on the table and even arranged them by type for us. It was a well practiced routine at this point.
"You're all set. See you next month?" he asked with a grin as I handed him the bills.
"You bet. I'll call once we have the date locked in," I promised. At this point we always asked for him by name.
"Thank you," he said before I walked him to the door.
Even for a teenager, I appreciated that he had manners. The first delivery driver we had was on his phone the whole time and even dropped one of our pizzas. It was a nightmare but we pushed on and bookclub was a hit.
When the door closed behind him, I thought I saw someone peeking around the corner. On my double take, there was no one. I swear, my mind was making me jumpy.
I shook off the creepy feeling and returned to finish getting our little gifts set up and arranged.
To add to talking about the book, we decided to give away little prizes for the most active for the night, answering the most questions and so on.
It made everyone participate more and even got them to tell more of their friends to come.
Who doesn’t love freebies?
"Are you ready?" Taryn asked as she moved around me to deposit a few more snacks and drinks on the table.
"I am. Are the twins joining us tonight?" I questioned.
"Nah, the guys are keeping them and I just finished pumping so they’re good to go," she told me.
"Good, you need some time away. Even if I miss them," I teased.
"Yeah, I'll see if I can make it through. A break is nice but I'm with you on that one. Though, I sure don't miss them at three am," she snorted. “It makes me feel more human to have time like this, though.”
"I hear you on that one. I love my sleep, but having kids is worth it, right?" I asked. It was something I’d been contemplating since finding a pack. Maybe this solitary independent life wasn’t all I’d talked it up to be.
I wanted that comfort of a pack, someone waiting for me after work, texts and morning kisses… and yes, maybe even kids.
Eventually.
Taryn saw right through the question, giving me a reassuring smile. "Even with the sleepless nights and the crying," she promised.
"What are you two talking about?" Bea asked as she walked in, dropping into one of the comfy chairs we had pushed together. The way she sipped her drink was like she was waiting for the tea.
"You and when you'll meet your mates," Taryn answered, somehow keeping her face serious.
Bea rolled her eyes.
"At this point, I’m fine. We don’t need a repeat of my last relationship,” she said with a scowl. She’d only given me small bits of what truly happened, but from what I pieced together, the alpha was abusive. “Let's get Dani settled with hers and maybe mine will show themselves.”
"Fine, but we’re all getting our happily ever after," I said, narrowing my eyes and earning another roll of hers. "Did you get the drinks ready?"
"Yes. Lemonade, sweet tea, and coffee are ready to go," Bea promised.
"Grab a slice and a chair, here come the ladies," I said as the bell chimed, announcing the first arrival.
"You have to get some, too," Bea ordered. She snatched up a plate in one hand and another drink.
She might play like she’s tough, but really our girl was always looking out for us, too.
“I will,” I reassured her, grabbing one for myself.
The group filed in quickly, all smiles and laughter. I already felt better being surrounded by people. This was a much needed night.
“Come in, grab some food,” I called out, gesturing to the food table.