Page 49 of Slick Handling

Fuck.

That’s hot.

Game on.

CHAPTER 17

VAUGHN

I’m tying my skates up when McKinley and Griffin come jogging into the locker room. Coach looks up from where he is sitting and swears at the pair of them.

It’s pretty clear that he’s had enough of our pack drama to last him a lifetime, but he’s not going to say anything about our two best players starting the game.

Our backup goalie looks upset, knowing that he isn’t going to start. For a moment, I feel bad for him. I can’t really focus on the pity I feel when I’m thinking about what could have happened to make them come to the game.

My heart is beating fast because if they’re here does that mean they got rid of the Omega?

Griffin is ripping off his clothes. Not his usual chatterbox self. My eyes skimmed him up and down to see if there was anything noticeable that changed about him.

My parents always thought that I’d bond with Griffin. That our just friends thing was me not being comfortable with my sexuality. It has never been like that between us. We’ve always been just friends. We did kiss once, when we were teenage Alpha’s with too much pent up sexual frustration, but there wasn’t any spark between us.

That doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate how good looking he is.

How his barbed wire tattoo over his collar bones sticks out on his tanned skin. Underneath it is my favorite tattoo of his. A pomegranate in the center with a hand reaching out on one side and on the other a hand of bone reaching out. It has flowers around one side and the other has chains and a dagger in the background. He said he thought it would be a cool idea when he got it this summer. In all honesty, I think he’s afraid to love and worried that he will have to give up half of everything to do so.

His ribs are covered in a tarot card love reading for his future pack. A reading we had done at a Halloween party our Senior year of high school. It’s strange seeing now how all the cards came to represent someone in our pack. How a card could even represent Clover.

The Magician card represented Griffin the most. The way that he had to grow out of the way he blocked intimacy. Sure he was all about touch and sex, but a real connection? He was just starting to really get that.

The High Priestess card represented McKinley. The way he was emotionally invested in our pack, always in tune with everyone in the pack. It made sense that he was the one who had kicked everyone's ass into gear for the Omega.

Apollo was The Emperor. Sure he was a romantic at heart, but he liked the stability and the ability to take care of others. His love language wasn’t touch or words, but actions. Being able to provide was what he thrived in relationships.

Then there was me. The Hermit. The one who was a little lost and who couldn’t quite jump into the relationship. I was the one that wasn’t going to make it easy on everyone. I needed time and it seemed like I wasn’t going to be getting that.

Clover was The Empress. She was so nurturing and caring. It was obvious that she was going through a hard time, but with every other card surrounding her it made sense.

Looking at it now, it made me feel strange. It was as if I was seeing it for the first time all over again.

“I don’t have time to dive into why you’re staring at me like that.” Griffin’s voice drags my eyes from his body to look at his brown eyes. They’re sparkling and filled with amusement. Not that dark deep brown like McKinley’s are. “If you’re having your bi awakening right now it needs to wait until after the game. I’m sure Apollo and Mick will have no problem with me teaching you how to suck their cocks after we win.”

My cheeks flush red and I look away. His laughter is soft, his hand resting on my shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze so that I know it’s not full of mirth.

“I’m just teasing you, Vaughn. I know you’re a ladies only man. Even if you’re really missing out.” I shrug my shoulders.

Still have no interest in sleeping with him.

I want to ask about Clover. See if they chased her further away, or if more is going on but Coach clears his throat. He likes to pretend that before every game he’s going to make some great speech. It’s what we call his Miracle moment.

“You stupid fucks better make this game quick. It’s snowing and I promised my Omega I’d be home for dinner tonight. If we get trapped in the snow because you take stupid penalties I’ll fucking make you bums bag skate until you all sweat your balls off.”

Inspiring.

Griffin rolls his eyes at me as he pulls his jersey over his pads. His dirty blonde hair goes everywhere before he makes an annoyed sound and pushes it back before slipping his helmet on.

He doesn’t look upset anymore. McKinley looks focused and ready to play the game. It leaves me confused. I don’t understand what is going on and it sets me on edge.

Shoving his shoulder gently into mine, Griff stands next to me.

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