Chapter 2 #2
This is the Angels’ main goalie, and I think the only thing he does better than sweet talking money out of people is keeping people out of his fucking crease.
“I did,” Skylar says. “Meet Koen Jeffries, Captain of the Lakeview Cougars.”
“You’re a long way away from home, no?” Rhodes asks, surprised. “Or did you want to meet your competition? Though, I have to admit that a charity event is a weird place to do that. Picking up chicks here isn't really an option either. Everyone is in their sixties.”
“I’m not here to pick anyone up,” I say, chuckling. My sexual orientation isn’t something I’m very fond of discussing, especially since I’m not out to my parents.
It would upset them to find out through a press piece, or worse yet, a rumor rag.
Rhodes leans forward as he listens to me before blinking as if he’s trying to pull himself out of some kind of spell.
What the fuck was that about?
“Well, that’s unfortunate,” he mutters under his breath. “I need to unload some money. Walk with me so I can get all of this to someone else. I feel like a high priced hooker.”
“You’re so dramatic,” Skylar says with a laugh. “You left your heels at home, baby. Your strut doesn’t have the same impact.”
“This is true,” Rhodes admits. “For real though, this is a lot of money. Make sure I don’t drop an envelope, and please check out my ass the entire time.”
He can’t be real. My lips curve into a smile as I’m dragged toward the coordinators. I know I’m not in danger, so I’ll let Skylar lead me around for now. I can leave in a few minutes.
“He’s quite serious about checking out his ass,” Skylar says. “The man will be insufferable otherwise. He’ll pout until I have to spank him again.”
It takes a lot of effort to keep my mouth closed, and I force air into my lungs through my nostrils instead. I can’t smell anything due to my scent blocking cream. For the first time in years, I wish that I could. I want to know what these alphas smell like.
“I was wondering why his ass hurt,” I admit softly.
“It’s a toss up between the butt plug and the spanking,” Rhodes says over his shoulder. Not one person glances in our direction and I can’t figure out why.
I’m always painfully aware of my words and actions, yet these two seem to give zero fucks about it. Thankfully, I don’t have to figure out what to say, because one of the coordinators for the charity is walking toward us.
“Help. I’ve had money thrown at me and I need to rehome it,” Rhodes jokes, his hands full of checks and envelopes.
“That’s quite the problem to have,” Tilly says with a grin. “I can definitely help with that.”
Tilly and her colleagues head up the youth branch for their charity organization, and I have to say they did a great job tonight. If what Skylar said is true, they have all of their bases covered.
Tilly relieves Rhodes of his bounty, organizing it so it’s easier for her to carry.
“Thank you so much for coming tonight. It’s always nice when people can discuss the importance of these programs with people who have utilized them,” she gushes.
It’s no secret that I grew up in the lower middle class range. If my parents had breathed wrong or had lost their jobs, they would have easily dipped below that. My father managed to get a really good job while I was in high school, and it changed our lives.
My parents knew hockey was my life very early on, and they applied to every scholarship program possible so I could keep going.
I paid my parents mortgage off the second I was able to, even though they insisted it wasn’t necessary.
They may make me insane, but I’m very aware of how much they sacrificed for my sister and I.
Silvia’s obsession was the violin, and lessons aren’t cheap.
Our parents deserve to not have to worry about their mortgage. It’s the least I can do.
“These programs saved me,” Rhodes says humbly. “I’ll always make sure to attend one of your events whenever possible. Thank you for having us.”
Tilly smiles, hearing his sincerity before glancing at me. She doesn’t seem to care that Skylar is keeping me hostage at his side, but her eyes light up at my presence.
“I can’t tell you how excited I was to hear you’d be able to attend,” she says. “I love when fate works in my favor.”
“So do we,” Skylar grunts like a caveman, making goosebumps raise all over my skin.
I don’t understand my reaction to him at all. It’s something I’ll need to look at later, once I’m back at my hotel room. I leave tomorrow, and I told my parents I didn’t need a ride to the airport. They’re on vacation, they deserve to sleep in.
If they’d accept more of my money, I’d make it so my father wouldn’t have to work anymore. Instead, I decided to gift them plane tickets and resort stays to places I know are on their bucket list.
It’s the only way I know how to tell them how much I appreciate them when I have so much difficulty speaking to them.
“I’m not sure if I’ve been much help, but I’m happy to be here,” I say to Tilly. “Youth sports programs are really important to me, and what you’re doing here is incredible.”
It’s not just hockey players who are here, there are a lot of different sports players who made a point of being here. Tilly and her colleagues definitely worked hard to have a successful event.
“Mrs. Travers just dropped off a very sizable donation,” Tilly says.
“She came over to grill me about how kids are getting to our programs, and after I answered everything, I asked her why she asked me the questions that she did. Mrs. Travers told me that a certain tattooed Viking hockey player discussed it with her.”
I flush from head to toe at her words. I knew she was going to say something. I’ve gotten the nickname as a tattooed Viking from several fans recently because I always appear to be going to war when I get on the ice. I suppose I’m a little intense when I play, but I can’t help it.
Mistakes happen when you’re not at your best, and I hate fucking up.
“Hmm. So there are tattoos under that perfect suit,” Skylar says so only I can hear.
Ignoring him, I try to force down the embarrassed heat flooding my body. “I did discuss it with her,” I tell Tilly. “It seems that you have it completely under control. I should have done more research beforehand.”
“Meh,” Tilly says magnanimously, waving my words away. “It gave me a chance to speak to her and others about how our program works. Honestly, I should be thanking you. Please enjoy the rest of the event, and feel free to sneak away whenever you’d like. I know these events can be stressful.”
Tilly bustles off to speak to someone else and I decide to make a direct donation to help when I get back to my hotel room.
“Let’s make one more round,” Rhodes decides, his eyes on where I'm connected to Skylar.
Fuck. Why haven’t I moved away?
Stepping to the side, I find myself yanked back.
“He won’t let go,” I groan. “Help.”
“I don’t really feel like saving you,” Rhodes says slowly, his nostrils flaring for a brief moment. Fuck, what does that even mean? My fight or flight must be broken, because I don’t want to escape either. “Skylar can be the meat to our sandwich.”
My eyes get huge as Rhodes hooks his arm through Skylar’s other arm, and I wonder what the papers will say tomorrow about this. Although, no one seems to be paying attention to us at all. It’s gratifying that everyone’s solely focused on the charity’s mission instead of gossip.
“That definitely sounded better in your head, baby,” Skylar murmurs, his lips twisting in amusement as we walk. “No one cares that you’re walking arm in arm with me, Koen. Chill.”
“That’s a very tall order,” I reply. “I have a really early flight tomorrow, so I’m going to need to go soon myself.”
“You’re not as big as you look on the ice,” Rhodes says. “You hit people like you’re my size.”
“I don’t think I know many people your size,” I say. “What are you, six foot six?”
“Give me another inch at least,” Rhodes says, smirking.
God, he knows exactly how dirty that sounded. There’s no way he didn’t.
“I think it’s time for me to say goodnight.” I say slowly, untangling myself from Skylar’s arm.
This time, he allows me to slip out, but I only get a few steps away before his voice stops me.
“Be careful on the ice this weekend, Koen. I will pull you out of a fight by your jersey if I need to.”
This time, I can’t suppress the shiver as I perfume. Fuck! I was doing so damn well up until now.
Rhodes groans as I hurry out of the room, my face hidden as I basically run away. I know it’s biology, and I can’t help my nature, but I still have a difficult time with it.
I’m not on heat blockers because they’re considered dangerous by our league doctors, so I lock myself in my apartment during my heat to white knuckle through my heat with knotted toys. I’ve never been with an alpha before, and I’ve always felt I would be fine without a knot.
Now, I find myself wondering what it would be like, and those are thoughts I need to shut down before I see Rhodes and Skylar on the ice again. They may seem like nice alphas, but there’s no way to be sure. I don’t have time for relationships, especially one that’s long distance.
For all I know, they were toying with the omega tonight. No fucking thank you.