Page 61

Gwen

D oobie, one of the UNYC forwards, received a pass from Windy, and flew across the ice with the puck, headed straight toward me with all the force of a rhino, like he’d been doing the entire game.

Bonnie, Humpy, and Maze chased after him, trying to steal away the puck.

The packed rink went wild. The NYIT versus UNYC game was always a draw. Alfie, one of our defenders, chased Doobie around the net. Doobie passed the puck back to Windy. Maze took it from him, but she didn’t get far. Doobie tripped her and Windy stole it, coming right for me. Windy took the shot.

But I didn’t move that way, I moved the other way. I wasn’t about to be fooled by Windy’s fake shot.

Austin had taught him that.

I’d taught Austin.

Cheers erupted as I caught it. No goals for assholes. Not today. Not ever.

“You fucking cheating bitch,” Windy spat, looking like he was about to punch me.

“Don’t touch the fucking goalie.” Alfie got in front of me and growled at him.

“Whatever.” He skated off as his coach called for line changes.

I patted the goalpost. Good post.

UNYC had been playing rough and dirty. Knoblick had already been carted off for stitches.

Alfie shook his head. “Next time, just whack him with your stick.”

“Are you going to sit in the box for me?” It was tempting. Goalies couldn’t sit in the penalty box, so a player had to sit their penalty if they received one.

“Absolutely,” Alfie replied, then skated off as he was called in. Actually, any of the defenders would.

He and Schmitty were replaced with Boondock and Freight Train. Those two were a team, like they’d been a defensive pair since they were twelve and no one felt like they needed to separate them–including NYIT who’d recruited them both. They hoped to go pro together.

“Go, Ladybug,” Clark shouted, holding up a giant sign. While I knew Clark was coming, I hadn’t expected most of the Knights and a good number of the Maimers to show up. It was sweet.

Dean even had a sign with my name on one side and Ty’s on the others. Mercy’s was covered in glitter.

We were in the third period and tied 2-2. I was revved and ready to go, mostly because I drank my usual concoction of energy drink, hydrogel, and vitamin water before the game. I sang as I danced around, waiting for the action to come back to me.

Oooh, Tenzin was here? He’d said he’d be late. I waved.

Giggles shot the puck at Ty, who shot it back, and it bounced off her helmet and into the net before Ty could blink. She looked absolutely baffled as everyone cheered.

“You scored,” I shouted at her.

Giggles did a little dance as her song played, and she waved to her parents in the stands. Aww, they got to see her very first collegiate goal. Someone was going to get their helmet stolen.

I did a little dance in the net, since one of our firsties just scored on Ty with her face . I wasn’t letting Ty live that down.

Now I owed Giggles one personal lasagna.

If Dean could bribe me with tacos, I could bribe the forwards with my homemade lasagna. We had to win this game. No question.

The line changed again. As Giggles returned to the bench, Windy body checked her hard, sending her sprawling to the ground. He did the, “ oops, I didn’t see the bitty beta, I’m such a big alpha,” bit.

The ref bought it. Ugh. How dare the refs buy that fuckery.

A few guys painted burgundy and gold–and nothing else–jumped onto the ice from the area the cheerleaders entered from and ran across it as most of the arena chanted, “ streak the ref, streak the ref.”

Streaking the ref when they disagreed with a call was a tradition. The naked guys were rounded up, but not before putting a show on the ice that rivaled our mascot and cheerleaders. Many people in the crowd were amused, but some were confused.

Wait until Maze scored three goals in one game and someone released the chickens.

The medic came over to Giggles. Shit. I patted the goal post again. Please let her be okay.

Windy came down the ice. I skated to the side of the net in anticipation. Boondock stole the puck and skated behind the net, Windy chasing him, not caring if he ran right into me. I clocked him with a shoulder to the head and he went flying.

“Oopsie, this little beta didn’t see the giant alpha,” I sniggered, then patted the goalpost.

Windy peeled himself up off the ice as Doobie headed after Boondock, who had the puck.

“You fucking bitch.” Before Windy could lunge himself at me, I smacked him again with my stick.

Boondock passed to Humpy, who passed to Maze. She slapped the puck toward Ty as a fight broke out, but Ty caught it. The ref blew the whistle. Both Windy and I got a penalty.

“I’ll take it.” Boondock sat in the penalty box, and someone threw an inflatable shark onto the ice. He grabbed the shark, did a dance, and put it in the box with him.

Windy tried to punch me and Freight Train slammed him against the boards.

“Don’t touch the fucking goalie,” she shouted.

A fight erupted and more penalties were awarded before we got started again. People dumped popcorn on Windy, which was a UNYC thing. Personally, I considered it a waste of good popcorn.

The clock ticked down, and the gameplay focused on UNYC’s end, as Maze tried to score a third goal. I danced around to keep my energy up. Mercy and some Maimers saw me dancing and started dancing with me.

Wait, was that…

I shook my head. No. It couldn’t be. Even if it was my ex, I wasn’t going to let it phase me. I’d been working hard with my therapist to move forward, so I could be confident in my choice to be with Clark and Tenzin–and be comfortable with myself.

Yeah, I had this.

Tenzin waved and flashed a heart with his hands. I made one back.

“Miss me?” Boondock asked when he got out of the box and came back onto the ice, Alfie going back to the bench. He’d tried to take the shark onto the ice with him and the ref wouldn’t let him. Now it was being tossed around the crowd.

“Aways.” I got ready as Doobie took the puck. Windy was still in the box.

There wasn’t much time left. Bonnie stole the puck and headed toward the net. She took the shot, but Ty deflected it, setting Maze up for a corner rebound shot. The crowd counted down. The puck slid in right before the buzzer.

“RELEASE THE CHICKENS,” the announcer yelled, as it came up blinking on the screens and the silly chicken dance song played.

Three live chickens, one for each goal, waddled onto the ice. They wore little booties, so they didn’t hurt their feet, and had little sweaters to keep warm, all made by the admin for the biology department.

Much better than throwing bones on the ice like at PHL games.

“We won.” I did a happy dance and thanked the goalposts as our mascot chased the chickens around the rink. Their names were Puck, Stick, and Jock. They were the pets of the biology department.

Sure, this was an exhibition, but it was nice to win. I felt a tiny bit bad for Ty. But I didn’t feel bad for Windy, who was still being an ass about my breakup with Austin.

I took off my goalie mask–which was my good one that Carlos got repainted for me. It was burgundy with gold accents and had our mascot on it, chasing three chickens. It also had a crown painted on it.

The mask went well with my new burgundy goalie pads, which I’d painstakingly altered to fit me perfectly. One leg said NYIT, the other had our mascot on it–a king with long flowing locks. For hockey stuff, the mascot held a hockey stick instead of a sword.

Like always, I wore 0 on my jersey.

Clark was right there waiting for me off the ice.

“You did so good.” Clark picked me up and raised me a little like he was going for a lift, then spun me.

“You’re wearing my jersey.” My eyes teared as I realized what he was wearing. A burgundy and gold NYIT Kings’ jersey with my name and number was on his back. Oh, my heart.

“Of course I am.” He beamed.

“Where did you even get one?” They didn’t sell them with our names and numbers.

“Oh, Carlos did it for me over at his brother-in-law’s print shop. I’m so glad you like it.” His eyes sparkled as he set me down.

I leaned up and kissed him. Where was Tens?

“Di Rossi, are you coming?” Coach called.

My cheeks burned. “I’m happy you came. Wait for me outside?”

“Always.” He gave me a squeeze.

In the locker room, the coaches gave us notes and let us know everyone injured would be okay. Thank the goal.

“Di Rossi, let’s not make goalie penalties the theme of this season,” Coach Hirata added.

“Yes, Coach.” I removed my gear in a specific order, just like I put it on.

“Please thank the Knights and Maimers for coming out. It was fun to have them,” she replied. “The Knights are hosting an after-party for both teams at Tito’s.”

Awww, how nice.

“Hey, my mom’s sending the slip so you can wear it for the Knights’ party,” Bonnie told me as we hopped on the bikes to cool down.

“That’s nice of her.” Since I knew Bonnie’s petticoat fit from wearing it with her dress to the gala last year, I’d asked to borrow it again to wear under the pink dress.

We showered, changed and when I got out of the locker room, there was a massive crowd outside, as people asked the Knights and Maimers for pictures and autographs.

“Gwenifer,” Mercy hug-tackled me. “That was insane. I love the thing with the chickens.”

“Me too.” Clark joined us. He kissed me again, hard, his hay and sunshine scent wrapping around me. A couple of the Knights whooped.

Scratching my nose with my middle finger, I leaned into him.

“Where’s Tens?” I looked up at him. “I saw him in the stands.”

Clark’s brows furrowed. “He had to leave.”

“Oh.” My heart dropped.

“I know, Sweetness. But he saw a lot of it.” Clark pulled me to him and kissed my head.

“I loved how you clocked that guy, then hit him with your stick,” Dean laughed, coming over to us and giving me a hug. “Great job. That was Hoodlum, right?”

“Yep.” I rolled my eyes. “Knotwaffle.”

Ty joined us, looking baleful. “That was some game, Gwen.” He looked at Dean. “Thanks for coming. I need notes.”

Dean clapped him on the shoulder. “We’ll go over some things. There’s nothing you can really do about the face goal.”

An older man came over to me. He looked slightly grumpy. “Di Rossi?”

“Yes, thank you so much for coming, Mr. Thomas.” Excitement and trepidation roiled in my belly. This was Dean’s agent. I’d invited several agents, since I knew this would be a great game.

“You play too hard,” Stu Thomas told me. “I’ll send the contract. Read it, maybe have someone else read it, too. If you’re interested, send it back. If not, let me know promptly. Good game.” Stu turned on his heels and left, but not before looking at Dean. “If she can learn to play smarter, not harder, she’s going to come for your record.”

Dean grinned. “Good.”

“Did that just happen?” I whispered as Stu left. My heart sped. Did I now have an agent?

“Yeah, I think you got an agent.” Clark took my hands and started dancing with me.

I looked at Dean. “I should say yes , right?”

“Yes.” Dean nodded.

Ty blinked. “I can’t believe that just happened.”

Dean chuckled. “Ty, if you’re going to make it in the PHL, you have to get your head out of your ass. You have an agent. Why shouldn’t she?”

Clark took my bag. “Come on, Gweny, let’s go to Tito’s.”

“Let’s go.” We had a lot to celebrate. If only Tenzin were here, too.

“There’s nothing wrong with that dress, right?” I showed Verity a picture of me in the blue dress at JP’s wedding that I’d put on social media. Isa found me and messaged me about the importance of not being a fashion disaster in public.

Which confused me, since Valya had chosen the dress at the fancy boutique. I’d also had help with my hair and makeup.

“It’s a beautiful dress, and you look amazing in it,” Verity assured me as she took a sip of a fruity drink after we sat at a table at Tito’s. “I don’t know what her problem is.”

“Me neither.” Because Isa wasn’t one of my mean sisters. If she was telling me something was wrong with my dress, she meant it sincerely.

I just didn’t know what it was. But then I’d never been good at fashion.

Oh well.

“She can suck it. She better not have anything bad to say about the pink dress,” Mercy told me.

“I hope the dress is done being altered in time.” While I’d gone for a fitting, the delicate fabric was being finicky.

“You can never go wrong in a pink Dubois.” Verity looked around. “No Bucket tonight?”

I sighed as I peered through the crowded bar. Tito’s was lively and everyone was having a great time. “Maybe he’ll come soon.”

Tenzin had texted me and told me he was proud of me and sorry he hadn’t made the whole thing. He often texted me, took a moment to talk when he saw me. Still, things weren’t how they’d been before the wedding.

I couldn’t help but think that it was all my fault.

Mercy joined us and Verity set off to find Grif.

“Hey, Gwenifer, is this you?” Mercy pulled up a video of a figure skating routine on her phone.

“Oh. That’s Midwest Gabby. People mixed us up a lot, even though she was a little older.” I wasn’t a Gabby. Most skaters called me Little Gabs instead, which I’d liked.

She’d also stopped skating not that long after I moved to Rockland. I found out later her home had exploded in a drug raid.

“Oh.” Mercy nodded. “Okay. Not you. I, um…” Her look turned anxious. “I have a friend that’s good at… stuff. We started to look for you, but she said we should stop. So we did. This video randomly came up in my feed the other day and I was curious. Are you safe? She, um…”

I froze. “She knows my record is....”

Shit.

“It’s all good. She fixes records to make people safe. Do you need help? I can get you help,” Mercy asked, expression serious as she leaned in, voice quiet, scent concerned.

“The person I was hiding from is gone.” I looked away. “I was told I could contact people again. But I have little in common with that part of my life anymore. I like the life I made for myself. I feel more like a Gwen, anyway.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll keep your secrets,” Mercy told me. “You have no family on your record. If you ever want an adopted alpha sister, for safety, my friend can add me really well.”

Awww. “That’s sweet. I’ll let you know, thanks.”

That was something to think about. I’d already added Tenzin and Clark as my emergency contacts. Having an alpha sibling on record could be useful.

“Here you go.” Clark came over to me and handed me a beer, giving me a little kiss on the cheek.

“Thanks.” I kissed him back.

Windy stormed over to me, clearly drunk. “Where’s Austin? What did you do to him?”

Again? Ugh. “I’m sorry your bestie ghosted you, but don’t get mad at me for it, Windy. Please, leave me alone.”

“He wouldn’t have just ghosted me. I’m his best friend. You did something to him,” he shouted, pushing me.

I fell to the floor of the bar; the air whooshing out of me, as my beer spilled all over me, the glass bottle shattering.

“Leave her alone,” Clark growled, helping me up. “Are you okay?”

I sighed, my burgundy NYIT Hockey hoodie soaked. “I’m fine.”

“What’s your problem, assfuck? You don’t touch the fucking goalie,” Mercy snarled at Windy, alpha anger wafting off her.

Jonas strode over, scowling, arms over his chest. “Hoodlum, you need to leave.”

“How could you cheat on Austin with him? ” Windy sneered at me as he gave Clark a snide glance.

“Not cheating on Austin. Stop being a dumbfuck. We broke up months ago. Which I’ve been trying to tell you.” I tried to shake tiny pieces of glass off me.

Mercy handed me a bunch of napkins off the table.

“You murdered him like the other one, didn’t you?” Windy’s voice was loud, and people turned and stared.

“That’s enough, Windy,” Jonas snapped. “Gwen didn’t murder anyone.”

“Yes, she did. She ran off with her other boyfriend to Canada a couple of years ago. Then she murdered him. Austin was so worried when you went missing. He believed your bullshit story and took you back. But I know better,” he shouted, lunging at me.

“Don’t you dare touch me again, Windy,” I shouted, willing him to stop as I stepped to the side.

The air sizzled, and he stopped mid-lunge. His face contorted. I shouldn’t be able to do that. There were a lot of things I shouldn’t be able to do. Some I had better control of than others.

“What the fuck?” someone whispered.

My cheeks burned. Those who’ve lost their scent matches being able to access alpha traits were documented. It was meant to help omegas protect themselves after they lost their alphas. I got omega shit, too, sometimes.

Clark pulled me closer. “Touch her again and you’re going to regret it, Windy.”

“I remember that. We helped Austin put up flyers. He was worried sick, and no one was taking him seriously.” Ty stood there as Jonas pinned Windy’s arms.

“Thank you for that.” My voice was soft. “I didn’t run away with some guy and Austin knew that. I didn’t hurt Austin. He went home.”

“I don’t believe you. He would have told me. You killed him like the other one,” Windy yelled as he fought against Jonas.

“Fucking shit, Windy,” I snapped, tired of his bullshit. “Do I need to brick you down with shit dicks? I was kidnapped, and I shot my abductor in self-defense after he killed the officer trying to rescue me. It’s not the same and none of your fucking business. Yes, Austin knew, and I guess he told you. I did nothing to Austin. He left me to go home after he didn’t get signed by the Aces. Go eat a bag of dicks, you knotwaffle.” I rubbed the scar on my forehead.

I made a face, not liking that Austin told Windy things I’d told him in confidence. But then the kidnapping had been hard on both of us and we’d done couples therapy for a while to help us through it.

“Fucking shit,” Mercy muttered. “If I wasn’t afraid of being banned I’d punch him.”

Security came over. “Is there a problem?”

“He had too much to drink.” Jonas thrust Windy at him.

A server I didn’t know came over to clean up the mess.

“You’re a fucking bitch. A beta bitch he wasted all that time on, because he figured you’d be an omega, and his ticket to a good team. You sucked on the ice after you came back, too. You’ll never be anything,” Windy yelled. The bouncers dragged him out of the bar.

“I’m so sorry about the mess,” I told the server, making a note to tip her as much as I could.

“I can’t find any of this online,” Ty muttered.

“Please, leave it alone, Ty,” I pleaded, as Clark held me tight.

Lucius’ family had kept it all out of the media. As had mine. You could find a couple of small things about Austin Blake looking for his missing beta girlfriend. And a bit about my uncle being charged, for keeping his niece in his lake house against her will.

“But–”

“It’s none of your fucking business,” Clark snapped. “She’s allowed to break up with knotheads, she’s allowed to date again, she’s allowed to defend herself, and she doesn’t owe you anything because she used to date your teammate. If you want to be helpful, why don’t you have your team lay off.”

“Hoodlum and Ty’s team is giving her shit?” Jonas’ voice grew sharp.

“Yeah,” Clark replied. “Gwen even gave them the police report, and they still think she cheated and buried Austin at the zoo.”

“Ty, fix that,” Jonas snapped. “Hey, are you okay, Ladybug?”

“I’m okay. Just wet. I didn’t hurt Austin,” I sobbed. “I don’t know how anyone could think that.”

Clark rubbed my back. “I’m so sorry he dragged all that up. It’s okay.”

“Okay.” I closed my eyes and leaned against him. I couldn’t believe I revealed all that with everyone there.

Though Windy had fucking started it.

“Do you want to go home?” he asked.

“Can we stay a little longer?” I still hoped Tenzin would come.

His arms tightened around me. “Anything you want, Gweny. Anything you want.”

What I wanted was Tens.