Chapter 19 #2
“Well, at least your dick wasn't hanging out,” Dad mutters. Skylar snorts in amusement, and my father grunts as my mother smacks him with something that sounded like a rolled up paper. “Honestly, since when are you hounded by paps, Koen?”
“It’s a recent thing,” I grumble. “I’m usually left alone. I think he got a lead and was following up on it. I have several more volunteering events, but I’m not sure how we’ll be able to keep the press out.”
“Edna, if she keeps her job,” Skylar grimaces, “mentioned teaching kids to skate. We should move that to our practice rink so we can close down who attends. I don’t think it would be a problem to invite a few members of the press to photograph the event.”
“The paps will always complain we aren’t accessible enough. I just dislike how they never get my good side,” Rhodes complains.
My laugh is more real this time, and my parents sigh at the sound. I guess I’ve been a little grumpy when I visit with them.
“Your dicks must be magical,” Silvia says in awe.
“Silvia!” I groan, shaking my head. “Rhodes doesn’t need any compliments.”
“Shh. Yes I do,” he grins.
“Koen, we want to see a game soon when we’re next in town,” Mom says.
“Ah, when will that be?” I ask.
I wasn’t aware they were planning a visit.
“Three weeks from now. You have home games, right?” Mom asks.
“Since when do you know my schedule?” I ask, leaning forward to check Coach’s calendar. “Yes, I do have home games then. I’m traveling at the beginning of that week though.”
“Good. I want to come visit you and do a motherly visit to your apartment,” she says.
“Ah, my apartment flooded,” I explain. “Someone broke in and turned all the faucets on and walked back out. I couldn’t save anything. I actually need you to send me some pictures of the family because they were all destroyed.”
I can’t tell her they were stolen, because my ruined apartment already sounds pretty dramatic as it is.
“Oh my god,” Silvia gasps. “Where are you living?”
“He’s living with us,” Skylar says. “We bought a new house and there’s plenty of room. Coach also volunteered our house.”
I side eye him because I still think it was very convenient that Coach decided this, but I’m happy now with the decision.
“Hmm,” Dad grunts, showing he and I are of one mind.
Maybe I won’t tell him about them tying me to the bed. I can still keep the kinky shit private.
“I still think we’ll visit,” my mother says, making Rhodes stifle a smile.
“We’ll be looking forward to it,” Rhodes says. “I’ll also make sure we arrange tickets for you. Silvia, are you coming too?”
“I think I will,” she says. “Thank you.”
Saying goodbye to my parents, I groan once the call is over.
“I think I built this up way bigger in my head,” I admit.
“Everyone does,” Skylar says. “It’s human nature. Also, while it’s a really fucking hot kiss, no one’s dicks are out. That’ll make the press conference easier. Now, we need to decide how we want to play this.”
“Shit, we didn’t tell your parents we’re scent matches,” Rhodes groans.
Smirking, I call my dad back.
“Hey. Forget something?” he asks.
“Yeah, I found my scent matches, and I think I’m going to announce it to the world tonight. Figured I’d let you know,” I reply.
There’s silence for a beat longer than is considered comfortable before my father sucks in a breath.
“Congratulations,” he whispers. Ugh, he’s crying. Fuck.
“Dad,” I murmur.
This call isn’t on speaker, though alphas have disturbingly good hearing, so Rhodes and Skylar can probably hear just fine.
“I know your mother and I are pushy, we just want you to have what we have,” Dad says. “Two scent matches is just…incredible, Koen. Mom is gonna flip out.”
“I’ll let you tell her then,” I smirk. “I’ll be on the phone for hours otherwise.”
I went from wanting to throw things to feeling a lot more calm. My true concern was not hurting my family. If they’re happy, so am I.
Ending the call to my father’s voice yelling my mother's name, I shake my head with a sigh.
“Better?” Skylar asks.
“Much,” I admit. “Now, to call Caitlyn, my agent. She’s the other missed call.”
“Chop chop,” Rhodes says, waving for me to hurry up.
“Ugh, you’re both so pushy,” I grumble, swiping my cheeks. They’re wet, and I don’t remember crying. This photographer has a lot to fucking answer for. He’s a fucking cretin.
“Maybe take a breath before you call your agent. You feel like you do right before you hit the ice,” Rhodes mutters.
Since he’s felt my inner warrior cry when I play, I suppose he’s not wrong. Taking a deep breath and blowing it out, I roll my eyes as Caitlyn Donners begins to call me again.
“I was just about to call you,” I answer.
“You’re a little slow. Did you call your parents yet?” she asks briskly.
“I did. It’s why I was delayed,” I admit.
“I suppose that’s acceptable. Is this a random fling with your teammates, or can we spin this?” she asks.
Skylar and Rhodes growl, and I wince, sure Caitlyn can hear it.
“Oh, they didn’t like that,” she chuckles.
“Alright, tell them not to act like fuck boys at this press conference your PR department is putting together. Show a united front, and I’ll be able to get some hot brand deals out of this.
I know you’re not a fan of nudity for things, so it’ll be a nice, classic, slutty suit. ”
I can’t help but chuckle at her words, because she knows me as well as anyone can.
“With suspenders?” I tease her.
“Nothing puts the slut into things like a pair of suspenders, Koen,” she agrees.
“I wanted to make sure you were okay. Being openly gay isn’t going to affect a brand deal you’re meant to take.
I already told several people to go to hell since the magazine came out, and I have a few things for you to look at tomorrow. ”
“I was more concerned about my family than the deals,” I admit.
“See? This is why I let you make me insane,” she says. “Go wipe the floor with those reporters, Koen. Don’t let them piss you off, yeah?”
Reminding myself that I really don’t care about whatever deals I lost, I agree with her. It’s their loss if my sexuality matters to them.
Ending the call, I raise my brow at my alphas.
“Why did Caitlyn sound so nice?” Rhodes asks. “I heard she was a hard ass.”
“She is,” I chuckle. “When it’s necessary, she’ll give me tough love, but she’s not going to kick me while I’m down.”
A knock at the door has Skylar get up, while Rhodes drops into the chair beside me.
Edna appears more put together as she stands outside, and I wonder belatedly if I’m going to have to wear a suit that’s not so slutty for the media circus event.
“Is everything all set on your side?” she asks primly.
“I lost some brand deals,” I reply.
Not everything is peachy on my side. While I’m willing to move forward, I’m a bit worried that Edna isn’t able to perform her duties anymore.
As if she can hear my thoughts, she brushes her hair over her shoulder and stands taller as she steps into the office.
“I’ll help you make up for my failure to check the sinks,” she replies.
“I’ve been going over and over it, and it’s the only thing I can think of.
Rhodes, can you give me as exact a description as possible of the pap?
I want to give it to the guards at both this building and the stadium.
I don’t care if I’m going completely overboard.
I don’t want this to happen again on my turf. ”
Okay, I like her a little more now.
“Yeah, I can do that,” Rhodes says. He gives her his description, and she records it all.
“I’m going to have a sketch made based on this,” she decides.
“He wants to play Peeping Tom, I can treat him like a criminal. Coach said you should take the day off, but I need you to go home and get dressed to the nines. Your good suits, nice shoes, all of it for this press conference. Think about what you want to say, but don’t offer anything until they ask a question.
I’ll take the lead of the discussion, and remind them when they’re being inappropriate. ”
“This press event is inappropriate,” Skylar growls.
“Well, we’re all in agreement on this,” Edna says. “You know how to play hockey, and I know how to play the press. Twenty minutes of questions, and then you’ll be on your way.”
“Only twenty?” I ask distrustfully.
“Yes. If they don’t use their time wisely, then they’re shit out of luck,” she replies.
“We’ve been lucky enough to avoid the photographers in our smaller town, but it seems that’s not true anymore as we grow.
I expect photographers are going to see dollar signs with you all, and if this blue haired pap thinks he’s going to get an easy repeat performance, he’s sadly mistaken.
Now, go get dressed and make the female reporters drool. ”
“Get their attention,” Rhodes says, beginning to nod.
“Yes. Use the full weight of your relationship to shame them,” Edna says. “You’re on the ice together, roommates, and it’s to be expected you’d begin dating.”
Oh. Oh shit.
“Edna?” I ask, biting my lip. I guess I need to give her an important piece of information. “They’re my scent matches.”
She blinks at me for a few seconds before glancing between the three of us.
“Does Coach know?” she asks.
“I told him in confidence, before you go yell at him,” Skylar says.
“Shit,” she mutters. “Okay, this is better. Fate makes sense. No one can mess with that, nor should anyone be wanting to even if you weren’t.”
“We know you’re on our side,” Rhodes says gently.
“Alright. We’ll reconvene in an hour,” she says, shooing us out of the office. “Go home.”
“Will you lock up for us?” I ask, handing her the keys.
Nodding, she turns and locks the door before continuing on. She’s a woman on a mission, and no one is going to keep her from it.
I’m just glad she’s on our side.
An hour later, we’re walking to the media room of the stadium. It’s nicer than the one where our practice rink is, and our footsteps seem to echo along the hard floors in our nice shoes.