Chapter 11
Another week of pure bliss and I’m pretty sure I’ve never been happier in my life.
Every night Parker ends up in our bed, sometimes at my apartment, sometimes Fox’s, sometimes her tiny dorm nest that now permanently smells like the three of us.
After practice, we’re all over each other in the locker room hallways, stealing kisses behind the equipment shed, hands sliding under jerseys when no one’s looking.
The teasing has gotten worse. I can’t help it.
Every time Parker blushes that pretty shade of red, I want to see how much darker I can make it.
She’s happier though. Really happy. Her scent stays sweet and sunny all day now, peach and warm vanilla drifting wherever she goes, and it makes my chest feel too full every single time.
Right now, she’s curled up in my lap on one of the stone benches in the courtyard between the athletic buildings, legs draped sideways across mine, head tucked under my chin. I press a slow kiss to her temple, then another, just because I can.
She hums happily, fingers tracing idle patterns on my chest through my shirt. “Where’s Fox?” she asks, voice soft and content.
I shrug, lips brushing her hair. “He might be helping some of the guys with the Spring Auction stuff. Coach had a meeting or something.”
Her nose scrunches up in that adorable way that always makes me want to kiss it. “I wonder who’s walking this weekend.”
I don’t answer right away. I’m too busy enjoying this, her in my lap in broad daylight, no hiding, no pretending it’s still casual.
I already know exactly where I want to put my bite when the time comes, right on the soft spot where her neck meets her shoulder, so everyone can see it every time she wears her jersey.
Parker’s phone buzzes on the bench beside us and she reaches for it lazily, unlocks the screen, and goes still.
Her scent changes in an instant, sweet peach souring into something sharp. She sits up straighter, scrolling fast, eyes widening.
“Why would Fox be on that list?” Her voice cracks. “Why… did this last week not mean anything?”
I frown. “What are you talking about, baby?”
She shoves the phone at me, the Spring Alpha Auction roster open on the screen, Fox’s name right there in bold.
Martinez, Fox – Catcher.
I stare at it, my heart dropping into my stomach. “What the fuck…”
Parker slides off my lap and grabs her bag, eyes already glassy. “I have to go.” Her fingers fly across the screen as she calls Fox. It rings once, twice, then voicemail. She mutters, “You piece of shit,” under her breath and starts stalking off across the courtyard.
I’m on my feet in half a second, thoroughly confused. I’ve been to a few of these auctions. They almost always end in mateships, bids, scents, instincts taking over. Why the hell would Fox sign up without telling us? Without telling her? After everything we just promised each other?
The betrayal stings even worse because he didn’t even tell me, his mate.
I catch up to her fast, catching her wrist gently. “Parker, wait—”
She lets me pull her toward her dorm, but she’s shaking. The second we’re inside her room, she heads straight for the nest, phone still in her hand, calling Fox again. Voicemail. She throws the phone onto the pile of blankets and growls, “I’m going to have his ass.”
I can’t help the small laugh that escapes. “Oh? Is that something you’re into?”
She smacks my chest, but there’s no real heat in it. “No. But why would he do this? After last week—after everything—”
She cuts off, her breathing coming in small pants as she drags me into her nest. I settle against her, laughing as Parker fluffs up the pillows, albeit angrily, huffing every few seconds before melting at my side.
Then, like she can’t help it, she moves closer and rubs herself against my thigh, a small, needy sound slipping out.
I cup her ass, pulling her tighter against me. “You needy, baby?”
She moans softly but shakes her head. “I just hope this isn’t over.”
“It’s not,” I tell her, trying to soften the anger whirring around in my chest. I wrap both arms around her and hold her close, kissing the top of her head. “I’m just thinking that Fox got a little stupid.”
A tiny, watery laugh escapes her. I hold her tighter, letting her burrow into my chest while a rumble of thunder rolls outside. Rain starts pattering against the window, her fairy lights flickering once, then twice.
Just perfect.
I’m not sure how long we stay there, Parker’s soft snores hitting my ears as I try to figure out what was going on in Fox’s head. I can’t even feel anything through our bond until sharp panic rumbles through my chest.
The door bursts open a moment later. Fox stands there completely drenched, water dripping from his hair and soaking his shirt. He looks wild-eyed and panicked.
“What the fuck,” I mutter, sitting up a little. Parker comes with me, her brows furrowed with the same confusion I’m feeling.
“I’ve been trying to find both of you, but my phone died,” he pants. “Fuck. I know you saw the list because it got sent out to the whole school.” His eyes lock on Parker, then me. “Let me explain.”