Page 28

Grif

“ I knew it. Who’s going to tell Ladybug that Marty is the zoo’s missing baby tiger?” Pauley looked up something on his phone in the locker room after practice. His blond surfer locks were up in a man-bun today.

The training center had been put back together, and we’d had practice to prepare for our game tomorrow against the Royals. Marty, the ‘cat’ we’d already met at Taco Hut, had come to practice, tucked into Ladybug’s hoodie.

“Tiger? It doesn’t have black stripes.” Clark frowned as he took off his skates, dark hair falling in his brown eyes. His black glasses were on a strap for practice, though he often wore contacts for games.

“It’s a mini golden tiger and part of a bunch of animals the Animal Welfare department found in a raid,” Pauley added, still scrolling on his phone. “Apparently those fancy genetically engineered mini tigers don’t make good pets.”

Yeah, that just sounded like a bad idea. Though sometimes I sort of wanted one of those tiny giraffes.

Clark raised his hand like he was in class. “Okay. I’ll tell her and take her to the zoo to return him.”

“I’ll go with you,” Dimitri replied. He’d made it back from the West Coast. We still weren’t sure why or how he’d ended up stuck there.

“She’ll be so sad,” Clark added, brow furrowing. “She’s had such a good time with Marty.”

Dimitri nodded. “And Lucky likes him.”

My phone buzzed as I put my gear in my locker.

Sissy

I love you. Our omega says she’s taking you to the omega spa next time you visit .

Me

I’m sure she will.

Last night I’d told my big sister everything. She’d helped me figure out which parents to call and what exactly to say. That had gone okay. Also, Dean’s mom told me she was proud of me when I’d called her.

Dean was off with the goalie coach and Jonas was meeting with one of the trainers. I went upstairs to find Coach. Nerves bumped around in my belly, but it was time.

“Coach, do you have a moment?” I knocked on his open door.

“Of course, come in.” Coach looked up from his laptop. His office was stuffed full of photos and memorabilia, both of the Knights and the teams he’d played for. There were even things for his mates, since his pack was majorly accomplished in winter sports.

I hesitated. It was one thing to tell my family; telling Coach was something I couldn’t come back from.

“Did you have a question about strategy from the meeting this morning?” he added, looking a little tired. Was there more gray in his hair?

Shaking my head, I closed the door and took a seat, heart thumping. “It’s something else.”

“Okay. I never congratulated you on your pack contract. I guess you bonded with Jonas. Good for you.” He looked at the picture on his desk of his pack and smiled. “Your Maimer girl is next? Such an exciting time, forming your pack.”

His small talk put me at ease, and I couldn’t help but grin. “AJ actually. And yeah, Verity’s next.”

“I heard about the lawsuit with your old agent. It’s making a few people in management nervous. Visit legal and let them know you’re not mad at us,” Coach added, toying with the photo.

“Oh. I didn’t even think about that. Of course, it’s not the Knights’ fault.” I’d gotten another bank account and given payroll my new info. Stu smoothed everything over with my sponsors.

The storm had slowed everything down on the legal front. As far as I knew, Chet was still in jail, waiting to see a judge. Though it wouldn’t surprise me if his family had gotten him out and he was under house arrest somewhere.

Or had fled the country.

Relief flickered through his face. “I’m so happy to hear that. What did you want to talk about?”

“Um.” How did I even say this? “I’m hiding my designation and I’m not sure how much longer I can. I don’t know what to do. People have enough trouble with a beta enforcer. I don’t want to leave hockey. It’s my life. I mean, Dean knows, he was there. My mom didn’t even know until last night. Stu knows.” It came out fast. “Still, what do I do, Coach? Being outed hurt Dean so much and…”

“Breath, Grif.” Coach took a deep breath. “What are you trying to tell me? That you’re also a hidden omega?”

“Sort of.” Everything tumbled out. Well, most of it.

Coach patiently listened, nodding, but not saying anything.

“So there you are.” I held my breath, waiting to see what his reaction was, fully expecting anger. Because I’d been dishonest for so long.

“Thank you for coming to me, it means a lot,” Coach told me, no anger in his face or voice.

“I don’t want my career to be over. We’re finally together. Stu says it’ll be fine but…” I sucked in a breath, panic overwhelming me. I felt a squeeze of reassurance from AJ and Dean through the bond.

“I know. Could you give me a day or two to think this over? You not being a beta doesn’t mean your career’s over. You’re a valuable player and I’d like to keep you. However, whether you’re a gamma or an omega, you as an enforcer could be a hard sell to management. Even if you’re the best one out there,” he told me. “Unfortunately, stats don’t always override designation bias.”

“Thanks. I can’t guarantee I won’t ever get into fights. But I can hand over my enforcer mantle if that helps me stay.” I’d thought about it a lot during the storm, and I could compromise.

“I appreciate that attitude. I think coming up with a plan before something happens is the right call. You need to take care of yourself.” Compassion filled his face.

“True. I’m feeling good after the snow break.” Though Dr. Arya had been leaving messages. Tomorrow wasn’t just our game against the Royals, but Dean’s birthday. I’d call her after that.

Maybe by then I’d have a plan.

“Thank you for taking this so well. People got so angry with Dean and…” The memories made me shudder.

“I know. Thank you again for trusting me with this. I’ll see what I can come up with. You’re an asset to the team,” he told me.

I stood, feeling like this was a dismissal. “Thanks, Coach.”

Leaving his office, I went over to the administrative area and smoothed things over with legal. My stomach rumbled. Chef should be setting out lunch in our dining room.

My phone buzzed.

Jonas

Where are you?

Me

I was talking to Coach. Everything’s fine. Lunch?

“Grif Graf. I thought that was you. Can I have a word?” Mr. Longfellow appeared. He was an older man, hair completely white, though he still had a full head. He’d been general manager of the Knights for a long time.

“Of course.” I couldn’t exactly say no, given he was the GM. So, I followed him into his office, not relaxing when he closed the door.

Had someone figured out I was an omega from my locker room encounter with Dean?

I took a seat as Mr. Longfellow sat behind his large wooden desk. Like Coach’s office, it was filled with memorabilia from over the years. His suit was very fancy, as was his watch.

“I don’t hold the Knights responsible for anything that happened,” I blurted. “I already spoke to legal.”

That’s what this was about, right?

He looked relieved. “Oh, good. What your agent did was quite unsporting. However, this lawsuit against him is making things awkward.”

“Awkward for who? The team?” I frowned, trying to think of anyone who might have Chet as an agent.

“Why Mr. Daughtry, of course. He and the Chesterton’s are good friends. It might be better to handle things…privately.” Mr. Longfellow’s look said, who else?

“Oh. I…” I bit back that I’m not dropping the lawsuit. “I’ll speak to my lawyer and see what’s best.”

What. The. Fuck.

I’d met Mr. Daughtry, the head of the family that owned the team, once. They didn’t seem to be very hands-on with the Knights, preferring to work through Mr. Longfellow.

“Good, good.” Mr. Longfellow beamed, folding his hands and setting them on his desk. “We’re glad you’re here with us. Despite that rocky start, you’re playing great.”

“How was it rocky, if I might ask?” No one had ever met with me about it, other than the Royces talking to me in the locker room.

“You weren’t playing your all, but it can be hard switching teams.” He shrugged it off, making an empty gesture with his still-folded hands.

“But how? When I looked at my stats between being told I needed to improve and everyone being happy, there was no actual difference. I’m only asking because I want to play the best for you,” I added in a feeble attempt to be diplomatic and not frustrated.

Mr. Longfellow’s head cocked as he thought for a long moment. “It was here.” He tapped his chest. “I’m looking forward to the Knights winning that championship this year. Anyhow, good talk.”

“Thank you, Mr. Longfellow.” I stood and left, mind reeling.

The GM didn’t just ask me to drop the lawsuit against the man who stole from me because the owner was friends with Chet’s dad? Did he?

I went down to the Knights’ dining room where delicious smells drew me. Someone had laid out an assortment of wraps and healthy sides. I took a shrimp one and loaded up on spinach salad and baked sweet potato fries, and grabbed a recovery drink from the cooler.

Taking a seat at the table by the ping-pong table, I texted Jonas that I was in the dining room. The goalies were still busy.

Jonas, Nia, Pauley, and Nakey came in.

Nakey sighed at the lunch offerings. “It’s like they thought we were eating crap during our snow week. Shit, I want a double bacon mushroom burger.”

“It’s food, Nak. They never make us double bacon mushroom burgers.” Pauley grabbed two chicken wraps.

“I still want one.” He pouted, taking a chicken wrap.

Pauley put an arm around his mate. “We’ll pick up the ingredients on our way home and make them for dinner. The kids will be excited to have an indoor picnic.”

“I did eat a lot of crap,” Nia laughed, taking a chicken wrap.

“I was snowed in with Verity and her sister. We had fresh bread and cookies every day,” I laughed. Okay, Dean and I contributed to the treat fest.

“Team Mom stayed with you?” Nia smirked as she added rice and a bunch of fruit to her plate. She’d redone her hair and it was now in twists.

“Team Mom and her sister are living with us. The pipes in their place burst,” Jonas replied as he added two wraps, grilled vegetables, and rice to his plate. “How did everything go?” He sat down next to me.

“With Coach? Great. But something else happened. I’ll tell you about it soon?” I stuffed salad into my mouth. So hungry.

He glanced over at everyone else. “Sounds good.”

Mercy walked in, in short shorts, a tank top over a sports bra, and knee pads.

“Hello young Maimer, are you lost?” Nakey asked, taking a bite of his wrap.

“Nope.” She grabbed a smoothie out of the cooler. “Oooh, you have sweet potato fries. Fuck-a-doodle. Shrimp? What?”

We had things like that because Dean was an omega and Chef tried to make sure everyone’s nutritional needs were met.

Getting a napkin, she piled fries into, then plopped down at our table, turning the chair backwards first. “Hello, boys.”

“Hi, Mercy. We’re still on?” Jonas asked, taking another bite of food.

“Yep. I forgot about the choreography workshop, but we’ll make it.” She stuffed fries in her face, looking around. The room also had an air hockey table, a large TV, and pictures of various retired Knights of note.

“Perfect. One of the rookies wanted me to help him with a few things on the ice anyway,” Jonas replied. “He’s afraid of being traded.”

I knew that feeling well. My eyebrows rose as I looked from Jonas to Mercy and back again. “Exactly what sort of mayhem are you two planning?”

“Alpha stuff.” She shoved more fries in her mouth.

Hmm, I wasn’t so sure about that.

“Have fun?” I was taking Dean out on a birthday date to see a sailing exhibit at the natural history museum.

Her eyes rested on a photo on the wall. “Why is there a necklace of noodles on the picture?”

“Ask Ladybug. Pretty sure she made it. That picture is of the queen of the goalies. First beta goalie in the PHL,” Jonas nodded.

“She’s one of Dean’s favorites. She publicly defended him when he was outed. EBUGs like her. When Dean was an EBUG, they sacrificed a lasagna to her. Back when I was with the Hurricanes, the EBUGs set a tiramisu on fire and released it into the ocean on a pyre,” I replied, taking a sip of my drink.

Mercy snorted. “Weirdos.”

Yep.

Her phone beeped. She checked it and rolled her eyes. “I have to get my ass to practice. So long and thanks for the fries.”

Stuffing the last of the fries in her mouth, she grabbed her smoothie and left.

Nia laughed and looked over at us. “How is living with a teenager who can bench more than you going?”

Jonas frowned at her. “Why does everyone say that? I can bench more than her.”

“Barely,” I chuckled. They’d had a contest the other day.

We ate our lunch, then left. “Car?” Jonas glanced at his phone. “Dean’s grabbing food with the goalies, then hitting the gym.”

Inside the SUV, I told him in greater detail about my conversation with Coach, then told him about the exchange between me and Mr. Longfellow.

Jonas rubbed his chin. “I don’t like it. The owner can’t ask you to drop a private lawsuit because he’s friends with them.”

“I know.” I leaned into him, seeking comfort, a little shaken.

Jonas wrapped his arms around me. “We’ll tell AJ, Stu, and our lawyer.”

“What if the charges against Chet don’t stick?” I buried my face in his shoulder, wishing AJ or Verity were here. But she was in class and AJ was at work.

He stroked my hair. “We’ll get him.”

That was more important than recovering the money he stole.

“I don’t understand what Mr. Longfellow meant about my playing.” A frown tugged at my lips. “I don’t need her to play a good game. She even told me as much.”

“No, you don’t,” Jonas agreed. “However, I saw your face when she wished you good luck in the tunnels that one night. Back on the plane, the night you met her, did she wish you a good game?”

“Yeah, she told me I’d smash it and play the best game ever. It’s not like she used her bark to make me play well.” Which was very illegal in athletics. I made a face, trying to honestly figure out what was going on.

“Grif, dearest?” Jonas tapped his forehead to mine. “She doesn’t need a bark. She’s yours. You would do anything for her, just like she would for you.”

My eyebrows rose. “What does that have to do with hockey?”

“Everything. It makes perfect sense. Something in you knew what she was to you long before you ever knew she was an alpha. She encouraged you. You rose to the occasion. You shine a little more during games when you talk to her beforehand or know she’s in the stands.” He ran his hand through my hair.

“I do?” I leaned into him.

Wait, it was her?

“Obviously, you won for Dean. That chance meeting on the airplane gave some part of you a little extra jolt. You’re a lucky man to have found something so rare and special.” Jonas continued to stroke my hair.

My eyes closed. I was full of food and nice and cozy with an alpha I trusted. “You’re all special.”

They were my family. My everything.

“She’s your fated mate, you ding-dong,” he replied.

I snorted, eyes opening. “You sound like Mercy. Also, fated mate ? Are you reading romantasy again?”

That usually ended with him chasing Dean through the forest by our cabin.

“There’s nothing wrong with romantasy. She’s your soulmate, your scent match. It’s just taking a while. Something in you knew,” he told me.

Scent match? We were well-suited for each other. Neither comfortable with our designations, both broken in our own way.

“I could see that. But I never dreamt of her.” Why would someone like me get something so many people never found?

I’ll take it.

“Now who’s reading romantasy? Most scent matches don’t dream of each other,” he teased.

Someone pounded on the window. Dean opened the door and slid into the back seat with us.

“Here I thought you were making out. Hi. What are we doing here? Each other?” Dean squished in with both of us.

“Talking about how Verity and Grif are soulmates.” Jonas shrugged.

“Aww, I love that for both of you.” Dean leaned in and kissed me. “I can’t wait for our date.” He turned to Jonas. “And my dinner.”

AJ and Jonas were making him dinner tonight. I’d left special birthday bread to rise. Mercy and Verity would cook him breakfast tomorrow.

“I want to just be like this for a moment,” Dean said, holding us both, happiness coming through our bond.

“It’s your birthday eve. You can do what you want,” I replied. Something inside me really liked us cuddling each other. There was so much uncertainty.

But Coach took the news okay. Verity still loved me. The people I’d told so far had been accepting.

Maybe, just maybe, everything would be okay.