Chapter 19
Chapter
Nineteen
Greer
My body was aching when I finally dragged my ass out of the shower. Rylan hadn’t been here long enough to truly work out the worst of my aches and pains. We were only two days back.
I didn’t expect anyone to be in the locker room when I walked out, knowing damn well I pushed the limits of the water heater in this old building.
It was silent as I changed into my street clothes and checked my phone. I’d been ridiculous with it since we left the resort. It felt like being a teen again, obsessed over my crush.
Only my crushes were a cute, little goth and my former ex.
Sure enough a spam of texts were waiting for me.
Roxie
Did you know it’s scientifically proven that talking to your omega can lower stress levels?
Roxie
You’re in practice, aren’t you?
Roxie
Gif of omega fainting
Roxie
Are you too old to appreciate gifs? Hahahahahaha
Greer
Okay, rude. I’m not as old as Hayes.
Roxie
FINALLY.
Roxie
Everything okay? Kota texted me over an hour ago.
Greer
Well since you brought up my age, I’ve got several years and rough seasons behind me, which means my body hurts.
Roxie
Don’t worry, your omegas can kiss it better.
Greer
That’s some physical therapy I can get behind.
I’d just sat down my phone and snagged my shoes to slide on when Coach walked in, startling me.
“You’re here late, Greer,” he said as he walked over.
“My body doesn’t move like it used to.” I snorted, but I felt a whole lot lighter than I used to thanks to Rylan signing on as our physical therapist.
I’d been balancing my time between the team and my omegas. It was driving my delta nuts that we couldn’t be near them all day like we were at the resort. We all had jobs to do and obligations that couldn’t be ignored.
Though, Roxie and Rylan were constantly sending flirty texts and teasing me which made the distance a little easier to handle.
Somehow, I found myself with two feisty omegas on my hands.
“How are we feeling about being in a pack now, Coach?” I asked, figuring he would be the safest place to start this conversation.
“A bit nervous, to be honest,” he admitted. “Roxie is quite a bit younger than I am. Hell, most of our pack is.”
I nodded. I couldn’t disagree with that.
“She doesn’t seem put off by it, but you do,” I pointed out.
“I’ve noticed,” he said, shaking his head. “She doesn’t care much for what society thinks about things, which I can respect. But at the same time, I feel ancient compared to all of you.”
I gave the coach a dry look.
“I don’t know if you’ve noticed it, Coach, but I’m barely making it here.”
“One more season, Greer. Are you ready for the end?”
“No,” I admitted, the familiar sadness creeping in when I thought about it. “I’m not really sure what I am other than this.”
“You’re a delta who has two lucky-as-hell omegas.”
“I wasn’t ready the last time I had him. This time, I think I am, Coach. Maybe that’s the truth of it. Neither one of us is too old for them because they want us as we are. We just have to be as ready for them as they are for us.”
He seemed to think over my words as I let them sink into my own bones.
Maybe I just had to see the great Coach Hayes doubt himself to figure it out for myself, too.
“She didn’t eat or drink anything all day yesterday.
I found her still in her office typing until her hands were aching,” he said, exasperated but still smiling.
“I took her to dinner and it was actually really nice. It felt normal. So, maybe you’re right.
If we’re open to them, then becoming a pack will happen as it’s meant to. ”
“The adjustment after the resort was harder than I thought it would be,” I admitted. “They were there with us the whole time, and now we’re just supposed to go back to our respective places?”
“We’ll figure it out. They’ve been patient so far but I think it’s up to us to get this ball rolling. Speaking of omegas, I saw Rylan stick around until about twenty minutes ago. Probably waiting for you.”
Excitement bloomed in my chest. “That might mean he’s outside.”
He nodded, biting back his laughter. “That’s a possibility.”
I stood faster than should be possible, already gathering my things, eager to see the omega I’d missed today.
“We’re having lunch tomorrow before the game, I’m catering it in and want everyone there. Don’t miss it,” he warned. “After we know where everyone is at, we can find a pack house. My place isn’t big enough. It’s a one-bedroom.”
“Chorizo and I have a house I’ve been fixing up. But… when I say fixer-upper, I mean it. It’s in no way ready for any sort of decent omega. Our omegas might not be high maintenance, but I guarantee they at least expect to be able to use the bathroom without a fight.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, I suppose that would be a pretty standard need for an omega.”
“It’s our job to provide for them, and neither one of us has a place that can compete.”
Once again he shook his head, not accepting defeat. “We’ll figure it out. What other choice do we have?”
Coach clapped me on the shoulder before heading back to his office.
I took that as my cue to leave. There wasn’t a whole lot else I could do but face everything tomorrow, anyway.
A smile spread across my face when I realized Rylan was still waiting for me. His dark curls were shining under the parking lot lights, his face open and eager to see me.
“I never thought you were coming out of there.”
“If I wasn’t so happy to see you, I’d say something about you waiting out here alone.” I tried to give him a stern look, but failed.
“You know, I’ve taken care of myself for years,” he said with a laugh. It was just Rylan teasing and I tried really hard not to let that get to me.
I didn’t like the idea of him having to do things alone for years because I was nowhere to be seen.
I was still licking my wounds. That’s what I’d been doing for years on end. Some days, it felt like getting up and existing was a chore.
Now, standing here with Rylan, all of that felt like another life altogether. Breathing in his sweet, intoxicating scent, looking down into those eyes that were open and eager, it was hard to believe that I’d spent years alone trying to figure out how to be a person.
He was already healing all of that hurt. They both were.
“I’m already addicted to having you around again,” I whispered as I held him close.
He could’ve taken the moment to make the jab that I was the one who left, but he didn’t. My omega simply ran his blunt nails up and down my back in reassurance.
“Things are different this time,” he said easily, holding me close. “Plus, we have Roxie who would kick our asses if we fuck up.”
“I’m trying to do things right and court her properly, but I don’t want things to seem unbalanced,” I admitted.
“Sounds like you’re still punishing yourself.”
He said it in a way I couldn’t deny. He’d always been blunt and forward, refusing to beat around the bush with anything.
Of course, I was beating myself up. I’d had the most incredible omega in the world and I’d let my career take that away.
“I’m trying not to. This is a fresh start and I’m slowly letting go of old habits,” I reassured him.
“Come home with me tonight,” I pleaded. “The thought of letting you leave without me is driving my delta crazy.”
I was already acting possessive and might as well go all in.
“Good thing I was already planning on coming home with you tonight. Roxie had plans to watch a show with Kota. She just texted something about you might need a little TLC for your sore muscles.”
I chuckled. “I took an extra long shower, I’ll be fine.”
“Don’t downplay it if you are in pain,” he warned. “Maybe we can start our night with a massage.”
“That sounds perfect,” I admitted, pulling him close and kissing him because I could. He was mine again.
“Where is Chorizo tonight?”
“He’s currently at home, probably pissed off that I’m not there to tuck him into bed. But I have someone I pay to come by and walk him four times a day when I’m not home and feed him. I figured today was going to be a pretty brutal practice since we have a game tomorrow.”
“I can’t believe you got my dog without me,” he mused as he climbed into my car like it was the most natural thing in the world.
I could barely believe that this was real.
“You mentioned that you had a fixer-upper. Tell me about it.” He settled back into the seat, his face turned toward me. I stared for a moment before answering, soaking in the view.
“I needed something to keep myself busy, and this certainly did that. I replaced most of the structure, but it’s an old house.
The bathrooms are only half functioning most of the time.
I’ve got one good one, which is not enough for the whole pack.
Coach and I were just talking about the fact that we don’t want to live separately anymore but neither of our places would work. ”
“Desperate to have us close, delta?” he teased, but I saw the way he perked up.
“I don’t like the idea of my omegas being alone and unprotected.”
“Please tell Roxie that, I beg you,” he teased, eyes sparkling like this was a big joke.
“Look, I know that you guys are independent and don’t need us to take care of you, but I, for one, need to know that you’re safe. Even if you can take care of yourself, you shouldn’t have to. You have a pack. You have me.”
His smile widened. “I do have you, don’t I?”
“Forever, baby,” I promised.
Tonight, I was going to fall asleep with one of my omegas in my arms and our puppy curled up between us.
Tomorrow, I’d figure out how to bring us all under one roof. Then I’d have them near me every day.
That was a life I could get behind.