Page 52 of Slick Handling

“We’re not asking you to say yes to her, V. We just want you to keep an open mind to adding an Omega to our pack. We’re not bonding with her or making pups with her yet. We just want to see how she fits.” Griffin is gently rocking me and it makes me realize I’ve stopped crying.

How long has it been since the game ended? It’s quieter in the locker room than usual. Sitting up, I look around and see it’s empty.

“We took a long shower. Apollo went back to the hotel to grab everything and then he is going to drive us home.” McKinley is pulling on a hoodie as he talks. Checking his phone and hitting a few buttons.

I’m guided to stand up and, instead of letting Griffin dress me, I start pulling on my own sweatpants and hoodie. Thankful that we had spare clothes other than our game day suits with us.

We’re all quietly processing everything.

My mind is calmer now. It’s not trying to create a war with my thoughts and more of planning on what to do next. A plan would help everything right now.

“We’re going to go home and then all pile up in the living room and eat junk food until we start to rot. After that we can face whatever is coming our way. Okay, bud?” I nod to Griffin.

“Can we get pepperoni, jalapeño, and pineapple pizza?”

“Yeah, V.” Griffin says with a laugh and I nod, happy with that.

They’re still my pack. I’m still with them. They’re not going to leave me.

Always us.

CHAPTER 18

CLOVER

Apollo has me bundled up, in the passenger seat of the car. A soft blanket, he had bought for me, tucked around my body. He is tapping the steering wheel, waiting for everyone to be done with the game.

We had already gone back to the hotel to gather our bags before coming back to the arena to get the rest of the pack.

It’s taking longer than usual. The bus already pulled away, but his pack was still nowhere to be seen.

“Did you have a good time?” He looks at me and makes a sound of agreement.

It was quiet again.

Well, yikes on bikes. This is awkward.

“Marcus seems like he can be a good friend for you. I don’t think he wants to be just your friend.I think he wants to have you as part of his pack.” Apollo’s words throw me off.

Is hejealous?

Marcus is just a friend. I don’t think he sees me as anything other than another Omega. It still feels nice to have Apollo showing some sort of emotion towards me.

Out of all the Alphas’, he’s the one that I have the hardest time understanding. He’s the one that doesn’t seem to have a reason to tiptoe around me. Yet, like all the other Alpha’s in his pack, he does.

His finger stops tapping, the cool blue of his eyes taking me in. He’s beautiful with his winter eyes. Cool like ice and unique like snowflakes.

Apollo brings his hand up, pushing back the longer strands of hair on the top of his head. His hair always looks so good. Soft and like it was just washed. For some reason, I shift, lifting a hand to move the piece that’s hanging over his forehead back.

Our eyes meet.

“You’re still cold?” His voice is a raspy, low sound and I lean in closer like I can’t hear him. My head nods and I watch the way his throat bobs. “Do you want to come sit on my lap?” I nod again.

The idea of being close to Apollo is nice. He smells so good. His scent is calming and rich. The softness of the tea mixed with the amber always makes me feel safe. I feel like if you bottle it up and sprayed it on bedding, it would be a guaranteed eight hours of sleep.

His hand tugs off my blanket. Helping me move over the console until I’m straddling his thighs. Carefully, he wraps the blanket around me like a cape. One of his hands rests on my lower back to keep me close to him.

My nose slides against his and I watch his eyes close. His scent is so strong this close up. I want more of it.

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