Page 37 of Total Assist (For Puck’s Sake #13)
Chase weighs the idea. “Let me think about it. I suggest switching up your routine for now, and I’ll be in touch with that answer by the end of the week.”
“Sounds good.”
Silence settles around us as they stare at us, Shively still firmly in my arms.
“Are you okay, Shively?” Sylvan asks, his voice gentle. Concerned.
Shively sighs. “Yes. I’m sorry. If I’d been prepared, I likely wouldn’t have nearly had a meltdown.
I know it might not have sounded this way, but understand that I love Winnipeg and I don’t want to leave the team.
If I didn’t care about my job, I wouldn’t have reacted that way and we wouldn’t have hidden what we’re doing.
I don’t want to quit or be fired. But as Edries said, some things are worth the risk and some are worth losing your job over. ”
I’m pretty sure Shively is going to pass out from the number of orgasms I’m giving him later.
My chest is all warm and tight, my heart fluttering like I’m having palpitations.
I would never want Shively to lose his job, and if I thought that was a likely outcome, I’d have stepped in so we could find a different solution.
Though I’m not sure why, I never truly feared he’d lose his job, so I was content enough to watch the situation play out. But to know that someone would give up the most important things in their life just to be with you? That’s a feeling I can’t explain.
A feeling I know from the other side of the equation, too, because I’d readily give up my position to keep my omega.
“Understood,” Edries says.
“I’ll be in touch,” Chase says.
With that, I think we’re dismissed, so I take Shively’s hand and lead him toward the door.
He’s a little light on his feet, his balance feeling a little wonky, so I don’t rush us down the hall to his office.
Shively doesn’t speak as he shuts down and locks up.
He doesn’t speak while I lead him down the hall and outside to my car.
Now, I’m watching, waiting for someone to appear who shouldn’t be here. Taking pictures. Invading our privacy for a quick payday.
Once in my car, I bring Shively’s mouth to mine and kiss him for a long minute. “Are you okay?” I ask, repeating Sylvan’s question.
He sighs. “Yeah. I was taken off guard and… panicked.”
“I get it. Looks like neither of us are getting fired.” That earns me a smile.
“I’m surprised that we’re walking away with… their blessing?” I understand his hesitation in using that word. We don’t give a fuck if they approve or support us, but the fact that there are no repercussions and we get to carry on as we’ve been doing does feel like a blessing.
“So… about telling the team,” I hedge.
He sighs. “I’m not looking forward to that.”
“How about we begin small? Felton and Willits are at my house. We were just settling in to play some video games. Come home with me and we’ll practice on them.”
Shively gives me a wary look. I smirk and kiss his lips. “Do you trust me, Shiv?” I murmur, lips so close I feel his shiver.
“Yes, Alpha,” he murmurs.
“Good. Then I’m not asking this time. We’re going to my house, and we’re going to tell Fel and Willits about us.”
He swallows. This is crossing the line keeping hockey separate from our relationship, but the thing is, now that it’s known, there’s going to be this murky area where the two lives intersect.
We’ll need even more communication, but because it still concerns our relationship, Shively will obey my commands.
Shively takes a deep breath and gives me a resolute nod. I kiss him once more and lean back into my seat. We’re silent on the drive. I pull into the garage, and we enter through the connecting door so we’re not visible to any snooping Toms.
Immediately, Willits and Felton’s loud banter and laughter reach us, and Shively takes a deep breath. “What am I supposed to do right now?” he whispers as we strip off our winter gear.
“Right now, you’re my omega. That doesn’t mean I’m not taking into account that these two men are your players, Shiv.”
He closes his eyes and nods. “I trust you, Alpha.”
“Good.” I take his hand and lead him deeper into my house. Willits sees us first and does a double take, eyes widening.
“No way,” he says, and Felton looks at us, his jaw dropping—all because we’re holding hands.
I grin, pulling Shively along until we’re at the other end of the couch. I sit with enough room for Shively to join me, but he pulls a pillow from the armchair and drops it at my feet, where he sits beside me, leaning into my legs.
Pride floods my chest, and I grip his hair affectionately. All the while, Felton and Willits stare with ever-widening eyes.
This is just a little step, and I know we have a long way to go. Still, I have a good feeling about this. “We have something to share,” I tell them.
“Yeah, you do,” Felton agrees, abandoning his controller.
It’s baby steps, but when Shively sighs, resting his head on my leg, I know it’s going to be okay. No matter what we have to face going forward, I’ll get us through it.
This is my forever.