Chapter 25
Wheel-y crazy about Posey
*McKenzie Madden added Posey Hale to the chat*
Parker
…Why
McKenzie
Why what?
Parker
Why did you put me in another group chat?
McKenzie
We needed one with our omega. Duh
Me
Hi
I kick my feet, squealing silently when I see McKenzie has added me to a group chat with the pack.
So far only Mack and Parker have messaged, but I can see Paxton is in here too, as well as a fourth number I’m terrified might be Professor Carter’s.
I know Mack told me to call him Jude, but there’s absolutely no way I’m doing that when he already hates me.
The fact that he would be in this chat at all is baffling.
McKenzie
I have an exhibition game tonight pretty girl. Will you come cheer me on?
My teeth dig into my bottom lip, excitement coursing through me at the thought of seeing the giant alpha in action.
According to Google, McKenzie “Mack” Madden is the tallest catcher currently playing in the National Collegiate Athletic Association and also extremely talented.
I haven’t even seen him play yet, and I already feel so proud of him.
I must space out for too long, because several texts come in rapid succession when I don’t reply right away.
McKenzie
Absolutely no pressure if you can’t or don’t want to though
The guys usually come, but there will likely be a lot of other people there and I know sometimes omegas get anxious in crowds like that
I promise you won’t hurt my feelings if you say no
Instead of responding by text, I decide to call him. If my memory is right, he should be at the gym right now and possibly able to answer. “Hello?” He sounds out of breath, and I hear the clanging of metal and loud music blaring in the background.
“Breathe, Alpha,” I tease.
He huffs, and I hear a door shut on his end of the call before it gets much quieter. “You really don’t have to come, Posey. I promise I won’t be upset if you aren’t comfortable.”
“I would love to come to your game, McKenzie.” I scratch at my arm, nerves making me itchy. “But, um. The guys will be there, right?”
The smile is evident in his voice when he responds, “Absolutely, gorgeous. Someone will be with you at all times, and you’ll be sitting right behind home plate.”
My head tilts. “Is that a good seat?” I ask curiously. I’ve never been to a baseball game before, and now that I know I won’t be sitting alone, I’m starting to get excited.
McKenzie chuckles, the deep sound sending goosebumps down my arms. “It’ll give you the best view of me since that’s where I’ll be for at least half of the game.”
“Okay,” I bite down on my thumbnail gently, my mind racing. “What should I wear?”
I swear I hear a purr on his end of the line but then he clears his throat, and the sound stops. “I’ll leave something outside your door, but wear a hoodie and jeans too. It gets pretty chilly out there by the water.”
“I will. I can’t wait to see you play! I’ve been looking up your stats all day. I didn’t really understand most of it, but it sounds like you’re pretty amazing.”
“You looked me up?” He sounds almost giddy at the prospect.
Embarrassment turns my cheeks bright red, and I’m glad he can’t see my face. I probably shouldn’t have admitted to Googling him, but it’s too late now. “Oh, look! My next class is about to start. I should go to that.”
He laughs again, that same deep, delicious sound rolling down my spine. Slick soaks my panties and I groan silently. I have a feeling I’m going to need to start carrying spare panties around these alphas. “Sure. Punctuality is important. See you tonight, pretty girl.”
“Bye!” I squeak.
I really do have a class to get to, but now all I can think about is watching McKenzie play tonight… and whether or not I can play with him afterwards.
McKenzie
Section 27, row 1, seat 5
I stare at the text from Mack a few hours later, anticipation making my hands tremble.
He left one of his jerseys and a friends and family pass on my doormat this afternoon so getting into the stadium was easy as pie, but I’m still a little anxious.
He wasn’t joking when he said the seat was right behind home plate.
I feel like if I reached through the netting in front of me, I could probably touch McKenzie.
Neither of the twins are here yet, but I’m a few minutes early, so maybe they’re still on their way.
There are only a few other people in this section. Some look like parents or maybe staff, but there are a couple of students, too. Someone sits in the seat next to me and a smile lights my face as I turn, expecting to find one of the twins. Only this is definitely not one of the twins.
“Prof—Professor C-Carter. What are you doing here?” I hate that my words are stuttered, but with how nervous he makes me, it’s a miracle I’m still upright.
His beautiful brown eyes are warm and earnest, a complete contrast to the way they were the last time I saw this man.
He’s not crowding me in any way, but his presence and the cloud of salty-sweet kettle corn scent around us makes me feel like I might start gasping for air.
“I’m here to watch Mack play,” he says quietly, eyes never leaving mine. “But I’m also here to apologize.”
My jaw drops. I’m sure I misheard him. “Apologize?”
He nods, one hand moving underneath his pullover to stroke his chest. The movement draws my gaze to his chest, and I almost choke when I see he’s wearing the scarf I made him. Who is this alpha, and what did he do with the one who rejected me not even a week ago?
“I’ve been a complete asshole to you, Primrose.
I won’t make excuses, and you don’t need my sob story, but I’ve been dealing with some things that made finding my scent match terrifying rather than exciting.
I handled it poorly, and I can’t apologize enough for the things I said and the way I made you feel, especially given that I am already in a position of power over you.
That alone makes my behavior towards you even more deplorable. ”
I don’t think I could be more stunned if he grew a tail and started singing show tunes.
My mouth opens and closes several times, but no words come.
My omega is still angry about being rejected by our scent match, but mostly I am just plain hurt.
I appreciate the apology, but I’m not sure if forgiveness is something I’m willing to give him just yet.
His smile is sad but understanding. “You don’t have to say anything. I know words don’t mean anything without action, and I intend to show you how sorry I am for as long as it takes until I earn your forgiveness.” The words are a vow, one I feel all the way down to my toes.
The next few moments are quiet as I process Professor Carter’s declarations. Deciding to be brave, I turn towards him and hold my trembling hand out with a small but sincere smile. “Hi, it’s nice to meet you. My name is Primrose, but everyone calls me Posey.”
His lips quirk, but he doesn’t question me, instead gripping my hand in one of his and placing the other on top.
His hands are soft and a spark from our contact sends a shiver down my spine.
“It’s a pleasure to officially meet you, Posey.
I think you might know me as Professor Carter, but I’d really like it if you called me Jude. ”
“Jude.” I repeat the name and his body shudders, scent increasing exponentially.
He clears his throat, shifting in his seat. “Is this your first baseball game?”
I bounce in my seat, excitement making it hard to sit still and offering a welcome break from the tension.
“It is, and I was reading up on the rules all morning after McKenzie invited me. Back home my dads would drag me to college football games and I never could fully grasp the rules. Compared to those, the rules of Baseball seem pretty simple.”
Jude snorts, relaxing back into his seat. “Don’t let Mack hear you say that. There’s a fierce rivalry between our baseball and football teams over which sport is better. It’s mostly harmless teasing, but you never know what will start a war.”
I mime zipping my lips, making him chuckle.
His laugh has an instant effect on my body, perfume leaking out of me and filling the air around us with the intense sweetness of my arousal.
Judes scent rises to meet mine and we lock eyes.
Neither of us breaks the charged moment until someone curses a few rows behind us, startling me.
“So do you go to all of McKenzie’s games?” I ask curiously. I don’t have a ton of experience with unbonded packs, and I’ve been wondering how theirs works. My parents are one of the few packs in Honeybrook, with most of the population consisting of beta couples or single alpha-omega pairs.
He nods, smiling when he spots Mack across the field. “We all try to make every game, but even if one or more of us is busy we make sure there’s at least one of us around to support the big guy. Also makes things easier if there’s ever an emergency, since we’re his next of kin.”
My brows shoot up. “Really? I thought that was only a thing for fully bonded or legally married packs?”
Jude turns in his seat, knee brushing mine.
The casual touch sends a cascade of butterflies through my belly.
“We registered as an official pack a couple of years ago and have all the same legal benefits of a bonded pack. None of us were looking for an omega, instead content to just let it happen whenever the universe decided.” He glances sideways at me with a half smile.
“Can’t say I’m upset that it finally did. ”
I try to fight back a blush, but it’s useless. I’m struggling to understand how we got here after two weeks of his miserable attitude towards me, but Mama always encouraged second chances, so I’m going to do my best to give Jude a fair shot.
Plus… I’ve always secretly wondered what it would feel like to have someone grovel for me.
Clearing my throat, I look away and pray my cheeks aren’t as red as they feel.
Luckily I’m distracted when McKenzie points at me from across the field.
As soon as we lock eyes he makes a heart with his hands, winking at me.
I make one back, earning me a massive grin as he bounces on the balls of his toes like an excited little kid.
My teeth dig into my bottom lip to hold back a laugh. Jude bumps his shoulder into mine, making me look at him in question. “He really likes you, you know. I’ve never seen him this happy.”
That surprises me since the big goofball is one of the most upbeat people I’ve ever met.
My face must be showing the skepticism I feel because Jude just chuckles, shaking his head.
“I know it seems like he doesn’t take anything seriously, but there’s a lot of depth you don’t see beneath that beefy exterior.
He feels everything hard and loves even harder, and once he decides you’re his, he’s a beast to have in your corner. ”
My heart twists at the pride radiating from Jude as he talks about his pack mate. I already knew there was more to McKenzie Madden than meets the eye, but hearing it confirmed by someone who I have previously only seen as critical really drives home just how good Mack actually is.
I nod, placing a tentative hand on my companions arm. “He’s lucky to have you guys in his corner, too.”
I’m still unsure about forgiving him until I know the why of it all, but I have a feeling resisting Jude Carter is going to be a lot harder than I originally thought.