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Tenzin

“I t’s so nice to catch up with you,” my agent, Justine, said as we had lunch at a little place across the street from the training center.

“Thanks for taking the time to meet with me and come to this sponsor shoot. I’m not exactly close anymore,” I replied, taking a bite of curry. She was west-coast based. I’d found her back when I was still at university, with the help of my sister.

“Well, I’m glad my visit here matched up. I’m so happy you’re settling into things here,” she told me. “At first, I was a little afraid you wouldn’t fit. Sometimes players just don’t work out. Portland to New York is a big change.”

“True. But it’s been good for me.”

She took a sip of her drink. “At some point you should address Squiggles.”

“Probably. Though Morgan is concerned about the children being on social media.” Which I understood completely. “I’ll talk to her about it when I see her next.” Which was in just a few days. The babies were fine and enjoyed their time at the mom and baby spa.

“I’m a little worried about the people you’re dating. They seem at war with the Deloittes. Do you really want to get caught up in that? Think of your sponsors.” She dabbed her lips with her napkin.

Her words made me bristle. Yes, I absolutely wanted to get caught up in them.

“ War isn’t the term I’d use. They’re the victims and I’m glad people are pushing for the PHL to address what they did. Also, Clark’s sponsors don’t have an issue with anything, and I don’t see why mine would.” I was baffled by this.

“Okay, just think about it. With you being a dad, we’re going to have to navigate this carefully.” Justine took a bite of her sandwich.

Yeah, that still didn’t sit right.

“Are any of my sponsors unhappy with me?” I prodded. My rep from Bowerman wanted to meet Clark and Gwen.

“No. There’s a Cowboy boot company who is interested, given how many photos you post of line dancing,” she assured. “It’s just that we need to continue to carefully cultivate your image.”

“Oh? Tell me about this boot company?” I needed to change the subject before I fired her on the spot. Yes, it was her job to look out for me, and I understood that. But this was a little ridiculous.

Maybe it was time to look for someone else.

The rest of lunch was strictly business. After we finished, we walked across the street to meet with my Bowerman rep for coffee before heading to the rink to get a few shots of me in Knights' gear, to launch their new equipment line.

My rep, Dawid, was already there, looking smart in a suit and a hockey tie. It was a smaller, higher-end company that had been around a long time and had several luxury and boutique lines, like Viper, who’d made Gwen’s pink gear.

“Tenzin.” Dawid smiled. “So nice to see you. You, too, Justine, I already got your favorites.”

Justine repped other players who Bowerman sponsored.

“Thank you.” I took a seat and sipped my jasmine tea, as he told me about what they’d been shooting today and how happy they were with me.

“Is there any way we can get an intro to Wonder Boy today?” he added. “I’d love to meet him before we reach out to his agent. We have ideas.”

“I believe he is around. Gwen, too,” I added, just to annoy my agent.

“We love Ladybug. We love that she uses our goalie skates for her collegiate games. I noticed she wears hockey skates in her figure skating videos. We have a couple of Canadian figure skaters that wear a certain model, so I popped a pair in your bag for her to try,” he added, gesturing to a duffle bag of goodies he’d brought me. “If they don’t work for her, we can try something else.”

“Thank you, she’ll love that.” I was glad that they didn’t seem put off by what was happening.

Justine moved the focus back to me and what they had planned for me, not just today, but in the future.

Finally, we walked back to the training center, where the film crew was already getting set up on the small rink. This was for the brand new Bowerman equipment line Glacier.

I changed into my uniform and came out on the ice. We went to work, my agent and Dawid watching, with Kylee popping in a couple times, once, like she was looking for someone. I posed with equipment for stills, then we shot some videos.

Finally, I saw Clark there with a silly grin on his face. When they called for a break, I took a sip of water and skated over to him.

“Hey, Sunshine.” I grinned.

“Looking good out there. I’ll buy whatever it is you’re selling,” Clark laughed.

I looked around. “Where’s Gwen?”

“With Dean doing important goalie things? Which I think is code for them sitting on the counter, in the kitchen, eating ice cream and gossiping,” Clark said.

That sounded about right.

I introduced Clark to my agent and Dawid and then went back on the ice, so they could film some more things.

“Our time’s up, but we got some great stuff,” Dawid told me after he talked to the camera people. “Thank you for taking time for us.”

“Of course. I appreciate Bowerman’s support.”

“Tens.” Gwen came out onto the ice in the flip-flops she often wore, which were way too big for her, and probably Clark’s. She ran over to me and threw herself into my arms. I worried about her slipping. At least she wore socks with them, so her toes didn’t get cold. Still, I should get her some in her size, so she didn’t end up hurting herself.

I caught her and picked her up. “Hey, Firecracker, is everything okay?”

“The NACA just had a press conference, admitting that it was a clerical error. I… I’ve been cleared. I’m just waiting for my lawyer and Coach Hirata to get official written confirmation.” Sheer joy radiated off her.

“That is wonderful.” I spun her around so hard her flip-flops fell off. But I was so happy the fake censure was over so quickly. It had been weighing on her.

“It really is. Kylee got other PHL teams to voice concern about the NACA coming down on player development programs without telling them. Other sports were worried about their developmental programs. Some collegiate players were also concerned about not knowing about rule changes regarding working for rinks and arenas and stuff. So were non-profit youth programs like the Squires. I guess whoever orchestrated this didn’t think I’d get public support. So glad it’s over. We have an away game tomorrow, too.” She beamed and kissed me.

Clark joined us, picked up the shoes and put them back on her sock-covered feet. “I want some of that.”

He hugged the both of us tightly and spun her around.

Dawid came over to us, he was pretty good on skates. But then, most people who worked for Bowerman had played hockey at some point.

“Good news?” he asked.

“I got my NACA status back.” She grinned as Clark put her back down on the ice.

“This is Dawid, my rep from Bowerman. They put a present for you in my bag,” I told her. “Dawid, this is Gwen Di Rossi, EBUG for the Knights and starting goalie for NYIT.”

“Thanks. I love those goalie skates. Don’t tell my dads, but I like them better than the pink ones they got me from Cordelle.” Gwen gave him a shy smile.

“We love that you love our goalie skates. We also love that you proudly wore our gear in your first PHL game. You know, we’ve been so inundated with requests for glittery gear that we might have to make it a regular option in our junior and collegiate lines.” Dawid leaned in a little conspiratorially. “I have to say, we’re quite curious how you got a hold of the custom Viper gear. If anyone knows, they’re not telling.”

“It was a gift from my dads. They’re not hockey people, so I was pleasantly surprised. I didn’t know they even knew the brand, or that you could get sparkly, bejeweled goalie gear. But I admit, I like the fit of the pads even better than Canadian Hockey Supply.” She flashed another smile, as she leaned into me, too.

I’d been wondering about it, too. Money, I was sure. Possibly connections. Bowerman might use their shipping company? Viper was their top tier all-customizable luxury line and usually had waiting lists.

“Well, we’re watching you expectantly and will reach out to your agent when you get signed. We appreciate you pointing her out to us, Tenzin,” he told me. “Clark, too.”

Dawid went over to talk to one of the camera people as they cleaned everything up.

Gwen looked up at me. “Did I just get a future sponsor?”

“I think you just might have. Bowerman’s been good for me. Though you might find yourself contractually obligated to be sparkly.” I tousled her hair.

“I don’t care.” She shrugged.

We left the ice, and I took off the skates. “Do you want to see what they brought me? I don’t just mean the skates.”

Opening the bag, I took out three tiny pairs of hockey gloves in Knights’ colors.

“The equipment companies usually give their sponsored players baby gifts. While the babies aren’t common knowledge, I asked for this and they were happy to give them to me.” Each one had their name on it. I didn’t want to leave the girls out.

“I’m going to die of cuteness,” she said as I took one pair and looked at it.

“Me, too. But can you imagine if you get little tiny goalie pads for yours?” Clark asked.

That was something I hoped to see.

“I can’t wait to teach them hockey.” She beamed as she carefully put them back into the bag.

“Ladybug, Ladybug.” Dean ran over to us, waving his phone. “Look.”

He played a video on his phone. We watched as the commissioner of the PHL called for the Deloitte brothers to be suspended without pay, stating that they didn’t get special treatment, because their family owns a hockey team.

Wow.

The commissioner also made some strongly worded statements about pro teams acting against victims and meddling with the law and how it could cause their charters to be revoked. Gwen wasn’t mentioned by name, but it was clear this was about her. He also chastised the NACA for trying to change the rules without consulting their partner leagues.

“You’re safe, Precious.” I hugged her close. “They can’t mess with you anymore.”

“Finally. I… I agree that the Deloittes should have to face the same standards all other PHL players do.” She nodded.

Clark kissed her. “Me, too.”

“This has been a good day. Ty stood up for me. I got reinstated. The PHL is holding the Deloittes accountable. My ex took responsibility for his actions. The MASO party is tonight…” Her look went wicked. “Apparently, this is possible.”

She pulled up a passage from a book on her phone.

I read over it and sucked in a breath at what she was asking. While I’d never done that, I loved the idea.

“Is that something you’d like to go home and do?” I breathed into her ear.

“Please, Alphas? I’m done for the day here. Take me home?” Her scent became needy as she pulled our bodies, so she was now between us.

Done. After I wrapped everything up with Dawid and my agent. I found Clark and Gwen sitting in the bed of my truck. Making out.

For a moment I just watched. Gwen sat on his lap, kissing him passionately, his hand under her shirt. A moan escaped her lips, as she moved her legs.

“In the truck, now,” I growled. If they didn’t, I might get in trouble for fucking her in the middle of the parking garage.

Gwen giggled, not moving, looking unabashed. “Like what you see, Alpha?”

“I like good listeners.” I gave another little growl, impatience building. In this moment, I needed her naked and in my bed.

Clark picked her up off his lap, handing her to me.

“Hi, Big Guy.” She booped my nose as I stuffed her into my truck, Clark getting in next to her.

As we took off for home, the cab of the truck rapidly filled with Clark’s pheromones and the scent of Gwen’s arousal. A glance in the rearview mirror told me she was on her phone. So was Clark.

“Are you sexting each other?” I growled, glad that we lived so close.

“Mmmm, yes. Tesoruccio, when you get me home I want you and Tens to throw me on the bed and stuff both your cocks inside my pussy until I scream.” Gwen smirked.

“Done.” It was almost a growl.

I pulled into the parking garage, grabbed her from the truck, and threw her over my shoulder. Clark followed us into the elevator. While Gwen gave a few perfunctory kicks and smacked my ass, she didn’t complain.

“I like this view,” she told me as we walked down the hall. Our doors looked so festive with the wreaths we made.

“Fuck it, Bucket,” Vickers laughed as he walked to the elevator, his baby in a carry pack.

“Admit it, you’re going to miss us when we move.” Clark laughed.

I pressed the code on my door and strode past my sweet little tree and the decorations I’d hung up, pausing only to kick off my shoes by the door, and take hers off.

In my bedroom, I tossed Gwen onto my bed, and pounced on her, my arms caging her in, my nose touching hers. “Hi, Firecracker. Congratulatory fucks are in order.”

Her scent exploded with desire as she ground against me. “Mmmm. Alphas, take me, now.”

Still caging her with one hand, I whipped off my belt with the other. “Oh, Precious, I will.”