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Grif

P leasure coursed through me as AJ pumped into me hard, fast, and unrelenting. The sheets of his bed tangled around us as he groaned.

“Oh, yes. Please, Pepperjack,” I moaned. Being off the blockers was making me want sex all the time.

AJ was happy to oblige. “Come for me, and I’ll knot you so good, Boo-Boo.”

I came all over his hand, and he thrust into me, fast and hard, his knot pushing past my ring of muscles.

“AJ.” I gasped as his knot seated itself inside me, locking into me as he came.

His arms wrapped around me and he pulled us on to our sides, throwing the blanket over us. AJ’s purr surrounded me, making me feel cozy and safe. Something else that I’d been craving since they detoxed me of blockers.

It was a little weird, that part of me so close to the surface. At the same time, I didn’t feel like fighting it.

Maybe because I was tired of fighting.

Or maybe it was because I had my pack, my mates. Ones who were absolutely willing to fuck me and snuggle me.

The one thing I didn’t like was the loss of control. I disliked how biological imperatives sometimes overrode my rational thinking.

I liked to be in control. I needed to be in control. Of my body. My life.

At least I was still on heat suppressants. There’d been some fear that with everything I was going through emotionally, I’d have a breakthrough heat–which could happen in times of stress. That hadn’t happened, thank goodness, since I had enough to deal with.

Still…

No. I took a deep breath.

Baby steps. That’s what my advocate at the Omega Center told me. I’d never learned to be an omega, never gave myself a chance to be one. It would take time to figure everything out. What blockers I could use. Other methods that worked in conjunction. Lifestyle changes that made things easier for me.

Not to mention, every gamma was a little different–and I was still registering as a gamma on the tests.

I’d had an interview with the reporter from SportsBeat yesterday. I was supposed to go into Creative Collective for a photoshoot in a few days.

Last night the Bantams had lost, badly, to a team we would have beaten easily.

What if Knights management didn’t cave? Eventually, the team would have to go back. While I appreciated it, I didn’t want them to be in breach of contract.

A couple of teams had made me some decent offers. If I didn’t accept one of them now, would it mean I didn’t have one? That I was either done or had to wait for the lawsuit?

What if–

“Grif. Boo-Boo. Stop, please?” AJ ran his hands over me in a soothing way. “I’m knot-deep in you and your mind is going a million miles an hour. I know all this is a lot but relax. We’re here. And I don’t mean it as in alphas make everything better but more as I love you, I hear you, what do you need?”

“I… I don’t like not being in control.” It came out raw.

“I know. Me, too. It’ll take time. We’re here. It should hopefully mellow out a little. You’re getting years of shit all at once.” AJ continued to rub my back.

“I know.” I sighed. “What if I’m missing out by not accepting one of those offers and waiting for the Knights?”

AJ pressed his lips to my forehead. “The Knights are going to crack. Soon. The other owners of the PHL are pushing for Cal to step down and Bunty to be fired. Not to mention the union is pissed and the team is getting fined like crazy. Someone might even be arrested if they don’t stop that soon.”

“I don’t know if I’d go that far. They love the Knights. They just had Bertie in their ear. I don’t want anyone to lose their jobs. All I want is mine back.” I leaned into AJ.

AJ held me, stroking my hair, pumping reassurance through the bond as he purred. This was nice. Dean had been trying to monopolize me since I’d gotten out of the hospital. Verity attempted to counter it by having all five of us sleep together in her bed–which was lovely if the plan was actually sleeping.

There was a rustle from the closet. “Dinner’s ready,” Verity called.

“Okay, Princess, we’ll be out soon,” AJ told her. He sighed. “Why she used the closet and not the door, I don’t know?”

“She’s probably stealing your clothes.” There was something about Verity in only AJ’s button-downs and socks that made me want to do some office role-play.

It was early for us to eat, but Mercy has a home game tonight, so we were going to watch her. Given the Maimers had been huge supporters of me, I should support them back.

We came out and saw a feast on the table of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, creamed spinach, and homemade biscuits with honey butter.

I loved it when it was Verity’s turn to cook. I gave her a kiss. “Thank you.”

“Bread.” Dean stuffed a biscuit in his mouth.

Halfway through dinner, the intercom buzzed.

“Were we expecting any deliveries?” Jonas frowned, dabbing his mouth with a napkin.

I shook my head. “Not that I know of.”

“This is Bunty Longfellow. I need to speak to McGraff. Is he here?” a voice said when Jonas answered it.

Jonas looked at me. “I told you.”

“I don’t want to get my hopes up.” Especially because he could only be here to tell me that my ass was traded. Probably to the furthest team imaginable, which would probably be Hawai’i.

Or they were giving me to the Dinosaurs. No. They might not win much, but were really nice and had the sweetest fans. It would be a team of assholes who’d see me as a threat.

Like the fucking Motor City Gears.

“My sources say the PHL was convening an emergency owners meeting today. Louis Daughtry genuinely seemed to want to fix things. It’ll be good news,” Jonas replied.

Hopefully. But honestly, I’d sort of wanted to see Spencer at least try to buy the team. For funsies.

Jonas buzzed him up. A few moments later, the elevator doors opened to reveal a very frazzled Bunty Longfellow, glitter clinging to his suit, holding a fancy gourmet fruit basket.

“Hi, Mr. Longfellow. We’re in the middle of dinner. What do you need?” Jonas stood, placing himself between Mr. Longfellow and me.

His shoulders rounded. “McGraff, I’m sorry for the misunderstanding. Your contract’s been reinstated. I apologize for any anguish and hardship that was caused. I’m glad you’re feeling better and want to remain a Knight.”

“Yeah, not a misunderstanding,” Dean muttered, glaring at the GM.

“Thank you. I accept your apology and I’ll happily return to the Knights. I like being a Knight, Mr. Longfellow.” Standing, I walked over to Jonas.

Hope shot through me, and I got happiness from both Dean and AJ in the bonds.

“Very good. Please see Dr. Mosser so we can determine your re-start date. Just to make sure you’re not coming back too early. Your health is important. Though I hope you’ll come to the gala in a couple of days.” Mr. Longfellow looked sincere.

“I’ll call him tomorrow. I should be fit to play soon,” I replied. “We’ll be there.”

Even with the walkout, the team planned on attending the Squire Foundation gala. The youth programs shouldn’t suffer for management’s idiocy.

Mr. Longfellow held out the fruit basket. “Oh, this is for you.”

“Thank you.” I took the basket from him. It had all sorts of fruit in it, including a pineapple–which would make Mercy happy.

Verity’s face buried in Dean’s shoulder, trying to not laugh.

Mr. Longfellow looked at Jonas and Dean. “Now that Grif is reinstated, I trust that this walkout is over and we’ll see everyone tomorrow?”

“As long as our agent gives us the go-ahead.” Jonas nodded.

“Excellent. Again, I apologize for the misunderstanding and a statement has already been made. I hope you’ll make one as well.” His look was a cross between hopeful and expectant.

“We’ll speak with our lawyer, publicist, union rep, and agent. Thank you,” Jonas said.

“See you tomorrow. Let’s win that game.” Mr. Longfellow left.

I started laughing as I put the basket on the counter. “He brought me a fruit basket. Well, I guess I’m a Knight again.”

Fucking shit. I’d been reinstated. I danced in excitement.

“As you should be. This whole thing was stupid.” Jonas gave me a huge hug.

“I knew it would work out.” Dean kissed me.

“Me, too.” AJ wrapped his arms around me. “Chet’s in jail. Bertie no longer owns a share of the Knights. You’re now a Knight again. Life is good, Boo-Boo.”

Verity came over to me and kissed me.

I looked at all of them. “Life is good. I’m grateful to have all of you standing with me. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”