Chapter 18 #2
We were past the dinner crowd, and things were winding down, so it was mostly empty inside. The large windows overlooked a patio and the lake. The tables in here were close together, but well taken care of. The air smelled incredible and I didn’t miss the pie display at the front counter.
“Can we sit outside? It looks beautiful out there,” I said as my eyes scanned the room.
“That’s my favorite spot,” he agreed easily.
“Hey, Coach. Here another night?” the waitress teased as she walked up and plucked two menus from the holder. “And you brought me company.”
“Can we sit outside?” I asked her this time.
“Of course, honey. Here, you take your man and go pick a seat. I know what his drink order is.” She looked at me expectantly after handing Hayes the menus. “What about you?”
“Iced sweet tea for me, please.”
She nodded once, not bothering to write it on her notepad before tucking it away, and hurried off.
Hayes led me outside with a hand on my lower back, heat searing through my shirt. I was hyper-aware of this man and his little stunt only made it worse.
Every touch, every smile, every heated look all hit me right in the chest, chipping away at any reservations I had.
I hated that my opinion of him had been tainted by those early days. My brain knew he was coming from a place of fear and worry. He’d worked hard and didn’t want to lose his well-earned reputation or job.
He’d apologized now, and I wanted to let it go. My omega wanted me to let go as well.
But it wasn’t that easy.
I had to know that he wasn’t going to underestimate and doubt me.
He complimented my fire, and every time I shot barbs back at him or let out a sarcastic comment, I watched him get turned on.
I could see it in his face, in the way his eyes heated, but I needed to see who he was now that he knew who I was to him.
Hayes picked a corner table, putting us right up against the water’s edge, only the railing separating us from the lake. There was a soft breeze blowing in, so it was comfortable.
The sun hadn’t set yet, but I had a feeling it would soon, which was only going to make this that much more romantic.
The door squeaked open, and the waitress walked out carrying what looked like two sweet teas. I hadn’t even looked at the menu yet, so I finally cracked it open.
“Here’s those two sweet teas,” she said.
“And I see you just opened your menu. You can take a minute and I’ll come back, but our special today is house-made gnocchi in a cream and spinach sauce with fresh bread.”
“Honestly, that sounds incredible,” I said, closing my menu.
I looked over at Hayes, but she had already plucked his menu away and was writing something down.
“He’s a predictable alpha,” she said before hurrying off.
“So, what’s your usual order?” I asked, too curious to let it go.
“If you tell any of the players, I’ll have to punish you,” he warned. “But I’m a sucker for pancakes and bacon, and I order it every time I come here.”
“All those carbs and sugar, Coach?” I gasped dramatically. “Every day?”
I swear everything I learned about this man was a contradiction. But he was so damn adorable when he let all the barriers drop.
“Yes, and I pay dearly for it in the gym,” he snorted. “If I wasn’t an alpha I wouldn’t be able to get away with it.”
I took a sip of my tea and looked out over the lake before picking the conversation back up.
“Do you plan to stick around North Crossing past just these early seasons?” I questioned. “Is this your final destination in coaching?”
“I’m hoping it is,” he said. “I respect the hell out of Jeremiah Kingsford. What he’s done for the team already is incredible. And as much as it sucked to let so many people go, it was a necessary change.”
He glanced out over the water this time.
His jaw tightened. “I respect that he does what has to be done. Which is why I was so damn nervous. I’m trying to prove myself, and...”
He trailed off but I could easily fill in the blanks. Fear can make us act like assholes.
“And I could have made it worse if I reported that your team was a hot mess.”
He nodded, looking relieved that I was understanding more of what he was facing.
“Exactly. It was never really you. It was more the unknown. I can’t predict how they’ll behave. Hockey players take their game seriously, but they also celebrate and make mistakes and act like assholes from time to time.”
“I think you need to put some faith in these players,” I said. “They know what’s at stake this season just like you do. They’re showing it out there on the ice. I think we’ll see that at tomorrow’s game.”
“Speaking of the upcoming game… just a word of warning. Since you haven’t been around our games, the Narwhals are persona non grata among the other teams. They never miss a chance to put us down or go after the players.
Greer gets it the worst, I think because he’s been in the spotlight lately and takes it the hardest. He might need you and Rylan outside the locker room ready to calm him down. ”
“We’ll be there,” I promised. I hated that he was still dealing with the fallout of his previous teammates' actions. This was exactly why I was here.
“Maybe we should have a pack lunch later in the week,” Coach offered. “I’ll cater it in and work around practice. You and Rylan are there most afternoons anyway and it will give us all a chance to exist in the same room.”
“That sounds perfect,” I said, relieved that he was trying to get the pack together. It showed that he would be a good alpha for this pack.
He picked up his phone to do something while I gazed out at the view. I knew North Crossing had some incredible views, but watching the sun sink over the horizon, painting the sky in pinks and oranges, took my breath away.
“Oh, wow,” I breathed. “It’s gorgeous out here.”
“This is my favorite time of day.” He moved around the table so he was sitting next to me. He leaned over and placed a quick kiss against my temple before looking back out at the water.
After his effort and his words, I didn’t want to leave it at something so innocent.
So, I reached up, caught him by the shirt, and pulled him back down, pressing my lips to his.
He kissed me back without hesitation. His lips were firm and dominating, leading the kiss where he wanted it to go, reminding me that I wasn’t in charge.
I submitted willingly, letting my alpha have this. Our scents were stronger now, mixing together in a warm and sweet and rich scent that had me biting back a whine.
He was mine, there was no doubt in my mind.
When he finally broke away, he rested his forehead against mine for a moment, trying to catch his breath, hen gave me one last peck on the lips before looking back at the sky.
“I knew you’d be trouble, little bat.”