4. Jenson
Chapter 4
M y phone vibrates, signaling my alarm, and I groan as I reach over to turn it off. Drinking and smoking weed last night wasn't my smartest move. I didn't fall asleep until around two, and it's only five now. Morning practices are tough, but necessary. We need all the practice we can get before our first game of the season against the Vipers.
It wasn't the party that kept me awake, though. Most of our teammates left after we turned the music down. The few who were too drunk to drive are asleep on the living room floor near Maverick's bed. What's been on my mind is the woman we met last night. I only talked to her for a few minutes, but I keep seeing her violet eyes.
I couldn't detect any pheromones from her, which probably means she's a beta. I don't have a problem with betas. I've been with a few, but they can't take a knot, so the sex was never fully satisfying.
Omegas are a better fit, but with hockey, we haven't had the time to look for one or help them through a heat. The National Alpha Beta Hockey League, NABHL, only gives time off to scent-matched couples, not just any omega in heat. It's a hassle.
I'm not sure how they verify scent-matching, since they can't smell what we smell. I guess you need bond marks as proof. Random hookups wouldn't qualify for time off.
I head to the kitchen and start the coffee. I need that first cup to function. A few seconds later, Leo shuffles in, wearing a black satin bonnet that he says keeps his blond hair soft. I think it looks silly, but to each their own.
He yawns and leans against the counter as the coffeepot fills. He checks his phone, frowns, and puts it back in his pocket. I raise an eyebrow. "Waiting on a text from the cute neighbor? Remember, betas are just okay in bed."
Leo's eyes widen slightly. "Who said anything about sex? We just met. Besides, betas aren't that bad. Some are still worth it, even without knotting."
I smirk. "But you were thinking about her. You were talking to her, so she can hear. What's up with her?"
He shrugs. "No idea. She was signing and understood me when I spoke. I assume she's mute. I don't know why, and it's not my business. There could be many reasons."
The coffee finishes brewing, and I pour us each a cup. This kitchen is small compared to our last place. I'm not a fan of this apartment, but it's temporary. We just need to stick it out until Maverick's comfortable enough to buy a house. He's the practical one, always watching our spending.
Leo sips his coffee, grimaces, and adds creamer from the fridge. I shake my head. I don't get why people water down coffee with sugar and cream.
"I can't stop thinking about her, though," he admits. "I've never had that happen before. Maybe I just need to get laid."
"Can't stop thinking about who?" Maverick walks in, running a hand through his messy brown hair. He pours coffee into his green travel mug and adds two sugars.
I grin at him. "The downstairs neighbor we smoked with last night. She was cute, in a plain jane kind of way."
He raises his eyebrows. "Smoked? As in weed?"
Leo sighs and gives me a look. "It was one joint. It's not illegal anymore. Asher smokes all the time outside of practice, and the coach doesn't care. It doesn't enhance performance, and we're not high on the ice."
Maverick stares at the lid of his mug. "I'm not a fan, but you guys can do what you want. I'm not going to stop you."
Besides drinking, I don't think Maverick's ever done anything that wasn't hockey-related. The ice is his whole life. Maybe one day he'll loosen up, but I doubt it.
Maverick clears his throat. "So, you met the neighbor downstairs? I guess that explains why you were outside so long and ended the party early. I forgot there was someone living below us. My bad."
Leo nods. "She seems nice, a little reserved. Pretty sure she was trying to chase me off with using ASL to greet me, she had a look of 'you're not going to know what the fuck I'm saying, so just run along.'" A smile spreads across his face. "I liked she was surprised when I knew and signed back to her. It seemed like that doesn't happen often for her."
Maverick tilts his head. "Is she deaf? I might need to brush up on my ASL. I took a class in college, but I only remember the basics."
We shake our heads. Leo takes another drink of his coffee. "Not deaf. I think she's mute, or maybe just didn't want to talk last night. You could brush up on your ASL, but I gave her my number so she can text if we're too loud."
I gesture towards Leo. "And he's been checking his phone non-stop. Someone has a crush on a beta."
Maverick frowns. "I'm pretty sure the landlord said she's an omega. We should use pheromone block balm on our noses at home, just in case. She has special vents and a steel door, but better safe than sorry. I forgot to mention it with all the moving chaos."
Leo and I glance at each other. I know non-scent-matched omegas don't have a strong scent, but I've always been able to tell if I'm around an omega or a beta. He's right, though; we should always wear our pheromone-suppressing balm, especially since there are a lot of omega puck bunnies. I've never gone into a rut over a random omega going into heat, but there's always a first time for everything. The last thing we need is a controversy because we lost control in front of an omega.
Leo clears his throat. "She didn't smell like an omega at all, but perhaps the weed was masking it."
I finish my first cup and pour another. "Or she was wearing one of those sprays. She's probably taking precautions as well. I would if I were an omega and had alphas move in above me. I'm not sure how well that will help during her heat, though. I find nothing can block that kind of thing. We'll just have to be ready for anything."
Maverick hums and nods. "I should introduce myself to her at some point this week and let her know that we'll be safe about things, so she doesn't have to live in fear."
I'd like to be able to talk with her as well, but I don't know ASL at all. I also don't want to make her feel like she has to write everything out, if that's what she does.
Man, I love practice, especially when Coach pushes us hard. I glance over at Maverick and Leo, grinning. We're in sync, even before the puck drops. That's the power of the Gold Trio, baby.
A sharp whistle cuts through the air.
"Alright, let's pick it up! No time to slack off!" Coach shouts from across the rink.
We explode into motion. The puck is a blur, flying from stick to stick. I weave through the defense and fire a shot at the net. Finn makes the save, but I can see the effort in his eyes.
He shakes his head, smiling."You almost had me that time, Jenson."
I grin back, already planning my next attack. That's what I love about this game. Every blocked shot, every save, just makes me want to push harder.
Coach claps his hands."Let's go, let's go!"
We dig deeper, pushing harder, faster. My lungs burn, my muscles ache, but I don't let up. The ice blurs beneath my skates. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I catch a glimpse of long, dark hair. My brain does a double-take. Anya? Here? Nah, couldn't be.
I circle back, but after a quick look, it's clear the woman is not her. That would've been weird. But that's all it takes. I lose my focus for a second, and Liam steals the puck right off my stick. Damn it!
I shake my head, trying to clear my mind.
"Marks! What was that? You're slacking! Get your head in the game!"Coach yells across the ice.
My neck to my face heats with a fiery shame."Sorry, Coach. Won't happen again."
Leo skates up beside me, breathing hard. "Man, Coach is really pushing us today."
"Yeah," I say, but my mind is still on that girl in the stands.
Maverick skates past, a challenging look in his eye."Think you can keep up, Jenson?"
"Try and stop me," I reply, but my heart isn't really in it.
We're flying across the ice, but I'm just going through the motions. Marcus tries to check me, but I dodge him. Asher tries to steal the puck and nearly gets it. I'm off my game today, no one ever gets that close to stealing from me.
I fire another shot at the net. Finn makes a save, his body flying across the crease.
"You guys are animals!" he laughs as he sprawls on the ice.
We push ourselves to the limit. But I can't shake the feeling that I'm not fully present. That girl in the stands keeps distracting me.
By the time the whistle blows for the end of practice, I'm drenched in sweat. My muscles ache, but I feel strangely unsatisfied. Normally, I would be pumped, but all I want to do is go home. My inner alpha almost yearns for it, and that's alarming, as it would normally want the puck bunnies in the stands.
Coach motions for us to come over. We gather around him, panting.
He nods, looking us over."You guys could've done better, especially you, Marks. I don't want to see you slacking off like that during an actual game, got it?"
I nod."Of course, Coach, it won't happen again."
He waves us off."To the showers with you all, you stink!"
We head off the ice, putting covers on our skates. Maverick bumps his fist into my shoulder. "Ready for the Vipers?"
"Bring 'em on," I answer, but my voice lacks its usual confidence.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see the girl from the stands. I stop walking. She's walking towards me, a smile on her face. And now that I see her up close, I realize she looks absolutely nothing like Anya. My stomach does a weird flip-flop.
She stops in front of me."Hey. You were amazing out there." She brushes her hair behind her ear.
"Uh, thanks." Usually, I like this kind of attention. But right now, all I can think about is how much I wish it was Anya standing there instead.
She leans in a bit."You know, you were pretty hot out there. Maybe we could grab a bite sometime? My heat is coming up in a week, and we could have some fun."
Normally, I would be interested, but our first game is next week. I can't call out for an omega who I'm not scent-matched with.
I shake my head."Uh, thanks, but I'm good."
She looks surprised."Really? You sure? You kept glancing my way; I thought you were into me, too."
"Sorry, but I'm sure." I clear my throat and give her an awkward wave. "Thanks for coming to the Iron Wolves' practice. We appreciate your dedicated support."I turn and walk away, heading towards the locker room. Leo and Maverick are already there, towels around their shoulders.
Maverick grins."Did you get her number? Just remember, we have a game next week."
I shake my head."I turned her down. She didn't smell right to me."
Leo and Maverick glance at each other.
"Omegas rarely have scents for us unless we're matched. Are you sure she wasn't our omega?" Leo asks.
I tug off my gear, needing to be out of it. "I'm positive. If she were, I wouldn't be standing here talking to you."
Maverick raises an eyebrow."Something's off with you, man. You've been acting weird all day."
I sigh."It's nothing. Just a bit distracted. I'll get over it."
I can't shake the feeling that something's wrong. Why hasn't that chick left my brain since last night, and why does my inner alpha have such an interest in her?