Chapter 12 #2
Mal is pulled out of the pile, dragged up by his jumper, and shoved away. Deacon grabs him and drags him away from the others, checking him over. Mal growls, his expression fierce on the big screen, before the refs get up in Deacon’s face and send him off the ice.
Mal is sent to the penalty box, order is regained, but the refs have to wrestle for it for almost the entire game, and by the time it’s finished, most of the players have been in and out of the sin bin, and they all look like they’ve been through the wringer.
I stand in front of my seat, waiting for the crowd to disappear. Disappointed for Mal, furious with both of them, and just tired. So tired. If they want this that much, and they can’t even get it together for a single game, then they will never change, and their dreams will be dust within a year.
With a sigh, I snatch up my bag and trot down the stairs, slipping out of the arena as quietly as I slipped in. No one notices me.
I get to my car, glaring at the silver paint that’s peeling before I catch sight of my reflection. There’s someone behind me.
A hand lands on my shoulder, and I’m spun around.
“You’re here.”
I open and close my mouth, trying to calm my racing heart. I’m not meant to be seeing him like this, but he is so relieved; the warmth that pours off him has me moving into his arms, unable to stop myself.
“Of course, I was going to be here for your first game.”
“I didn’t…”
Mal cuts off, his cheeks going pink.
“You thought I wasn’t coming?”
Why does it hurt that he thought that? I shake it off and force a smile. “Some game.”
“It was a disaster, but I was so busy, I forgot it was my first game. Hey, can you come back with me? I want you to see something.”
I nod, thinking, maybe I should be saying no, but following him back inside anyway because I’m helpless when it comes to him. He turns to me with a smile.
“Just wait here. I’ll be back soon.”
He beams at me, one of those sunshine smiles that hits you right in the chest, making you dizzy. I lean against the wall so I don’t fall.
There’s a group of journalists standing around a couple of guys in suits, and I recognise the Alpha Hoard captain, Remi Sloan. He spots me and raises an eyebrow with a devastating grin.
I glance around, but there’s no one around me. By the time I look back at him, he’s escaped the journalists and his friend and is heading in my direction.
“Hi.”
I have to look up at him because he’s tall. He’s got dark auburn hair and a devastating smile.
“Hello,” I say back with a nervous look towards the team rooms.
“I know that you’re standing here waiting for me.”
I laugh lightly. “I’m not, but it’s cute that your ego thinks every beta is waiting on you.”
He moves even closer. “My name is Remi Sloan, and I don't think every beta is waiting for me, but I do think there’s one pretty omega who should take my arm and come out and let me show you a good time. Totally respectfully.”
He reaches out, shifting my hair behind my ear. It’s a move that leaves me with nothing but amusement. There’s no spark, no butterflies. Nothing.
“How do you know I’m not taken?”
“No alpha would leave a gorgeous omega like you alone in a place like this.”
He’s got aquamarine eyes with dark lashes and skin that’s a couple of shades lighter than mine.
I can count on one hand the times that having a beautiful alpha approach me has happened.
“Let me take you out.”
I waver, tempted. He’s a good guy; he’s got an incredibly good reputation in the hockey world. Known for his decency and kindness. I would be lucky to have someone like him.
“Fuck off, Sloan. She’s not for you.”
I jump, not even realising that Deacon and Mal had come out. They are both glaring at Remi, but Mal goes one better and tugs me to his side. Stamping ownership all over me.
The opportunity is there, and then it’s gone. Remi nods and steps back.
“Sorry, my mistake.”
I want to correct him, call him back, give him my number, do something proactive to finding me some help that isn’t going to end up a complete mess.
Remi gives me another one of those beautiful smiles, tips an invisible hat, and goes back to his waiting teammates.
Mal drops his arm and sighs. “You wanted his number, didn’t you?”
I look at Mal quickly, pressing my lips together and glancing away.
“Should I be sorry?”
I shake my head because, honestly, no. What am I going to do with the number of an alpha who lives thousands of miles away?
Remi Sloan glances back, his eyes crinkling. If I see regret on his face, I wonder what he sees on mine.
“Keep walking, Sloan, or I’ll make what happened on the ice look like child’s play.” Deacon cracks his knuckles and glowers.
“Seriously?” I snap at him.
He whips his head to me. “Since when do you date hockey players?”
“It wasn’t a date. It was an invitation that I never got to decline. And keep your aggressive, vile words for the ice where it belongs. I don’t want to hear any of your crap, Deacon.”
He steps into me. I back up, but there’s a wall there. I tilt my head right back, staring at him. He’s always like this after the games, more on edge, angry, frustrated, sexually charged. Normally, he brings home a girlfriend, and I exit the property.
I lift my chin, staring into his furious blue eyes.
“Let’s go, Mal.”
Mal looks between us and then steps away from me. I scowl at him.
“Why did you want me to come here?”
“I wanted to see you.”
I. I wanted.
“Typical,” I hiss bitterly.
I turn on my heel and stalk off, furious at them. Though I search for Remi, I don’t find him, and when I’m lying in my hotel room alone, I think maybe it’s fate. Maybe it’s right that I don’t find him again.
But lying there alone, feeling sorry for myself, I really wish Deacon and Mal had waited just a few minutes longer before they appeared.
The strange noises of traffic outside and the weird, unpleasant scent of the hotel room keep me awake until the dawn light pushes through.
It’s definitely not the thought of them going to pound town on Indy.
I groan and roll onto my side, tracing the watermark as I fight off the intrusive thoughts.
I have a laundry list of things to address with the guys, but I can’t even focus enough to consider it. I need to sleep.
Still, sleep doesn’t come. Instead, the heat returns, and I find myself fighting my body that wishes for an alpha, even one like Remi Sloan.