Chapter 17 - Ollie
Ollie
Iwas supposed to tell Timber that Ollie couldn’t make it. So why the hell am I sitting in the stands dressed up like a yeti with Noa shivering next to me?
It’s not that I don’t like the cold. I love the cold. Luke is the one who whines and complains during winter, but I’m in my element.
That doesn’t mean I have to wear a beige puffer vest, a white jean mini skirt with black leggings, and a freaking pom-pom hat like Miss Suburbia. I’m an alien, a monster. I blend in with the whole horde of women gawking and drooling over the boy aquarium.
Of course, Noa pulls it off flawlessly. Thankfully, every alpha around us is watching the game, or I’d be kicking them back with my Ugg boots because she looks so goddamn cute.
“Did I have to wear this?” I sigh.
“You said you wanted it to be a disguise. You could have said no.”
“I didn’t mean like this. It’s beige, Noa. Really? Beige!?”
“But you said I could do whatever I wanted. And it’s not like you said no. I thought we could dress up and wear matching clothes like best friends do,” she says as she blinks prettily up at me.
I cave instantly.
I’m a sucker for Timber’s puppy-dog eyes, but Noa goes straight for the KO.
Noa moved to Nashville about two years ago after escaping an abusive pack that better never cross Luke and me, or they’re done for.
We might not be good in a fight with bigger guys, but we were scrappy.
Ever since she came to our apartment and introduced herself as our new neighbor, we grabbed her, dragged her inside, and within a week, she opened up to us about her situation and what she was running from.
Luke and I are determined that two years of friendship makes up for two years of abuse.
So, there’s no way I was going to say no when dressing up like this makes her happy.
I haven’t seen a game in person, and I’m only able to track Timber and Kane because of the announcer, the big screen in the middle, and the 43 and 52 on the back of their shirts.
We’re down near the barrier with team family members. It’s kind of weird having other omegas looking at us like they’re trying to figure out who we’re with. I can tell the attention is getting to Noa, as well.
The game is so intense that there’s barely time for any chatter, and I can see how the echoes bouncing around the rink are making Noa tense as well.
I’m surprised she stuck around for so long, to be honest.
Neither of us understands the rules, so we just cheer when everyone else does.
I can’t take my eyes off Timber and Kane whenever they’re on the ice. Even just watching them skate is so sexy that it’s DEFCON 1 in my pants, and we’re about to launch the nukes.
I’m so caught up in the energy that, when I see Timber score a goal, I’m shouting as much as anyone.
Noa tugs on my arm, giving me a queasy look. “I think I’m going to head off. This is getting too much.”
“Of course, yeah,” I hold her hand, worried that it’s my fault for being so loud.
There are times when Luke and I forget how sensitive Noa is to noise, and we get way too excited around her.
“Do you want me to come with you?”
She shakes her head. “What was the point of getting you all dressed up if your alphas won’t see it?”
“I thought you wanted to match?” Though I’d prefer it if they didn’t see me like this, anyway.
“Well, it’s an excuse to get you dolled up when Luke isn’t around to play with.” She grins sheepishly, and I laugh. Luke would have loved showing up to a macho sports game in an outfit like this.
“Text me when you get back, okay?” I ask as I pull her into a hug.
“I hope it goes okay.” Concern sweeps her face as she says it.
I nod, my brow scrunching. We hung out all morning while we got dressed, and I had time to spill my feelings about what was going on. But that's not going to make this any easier.
As she files off with the rest of the crowd taking the second intermission break, I call out to her. “Text me!” And she smiles as she waves back.
I’m not ready to meet Timber again… yet. Especially when I’m dressed like this.
It’s the last risk I’m taking with Timber before I leave.
I keep saying ‘one last time’ to the point that it’s driving me crazy. But this time, I really mean it.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I check it.
Did you see that goal?
Kane texts, along with a selfie of him grinning, making a peace sign as Timber scowls beside him.
He knows how annoyed with him I am, but I still laugh at their expressions.
Even though nerves hop through me, it doesn’t stop my need to race to my alphas so I can bury myself in their arms.
The homey shit gets to me again as those warm fuzzies crop up. I thought I only got hornier the nearer my heat grew, but I guess I had a hidden cozy side buried deep under my nipple piercings.
Being dressed like this is sort of a get out of jail free card. Unless Timber finds out, and everything kicks off.
Don’t think a cute picture of my alphas is going to help.
Then I’ll just have to say sorry after the game. You know how persuasive I can be.
I bite back my smile as his flirting settles me instantly. I just have to bank on Kane’s support when we both see Timber, and that he won’t play any more of his games.