Page 2 of Free Me

“Exactly! So Miko needs to come to the party and have some fun for a change.”

“You just want an excuse to hit on him.”

“So?”

Linus rolled his eyes. Miko could absolutely take care of himself, and he wasn’t afraid to stand up to alphas his own age who got handsy. He was also an omega who hadn’t yet had his first heat, which was a bit unusual at twenty-years-old. Until he finally went into heat, Miko wouldn’t feel the mating bond with an alpha, but he could definitely date and enjoy himself until he found a mate. Still, Linus was protective of all his omega friends, and Miko’s life had been pretty chaotic in the almost-three-years since his older brother Peyton’s coma and recovery. Linus’s big brother Layne was Peyton’s bondmate, they were insanely in love, and they had a baby together. Miko was as much family to Linus as his own four blood brothers and nephew.

“Just remember Miko has an older brother and a lot of alpha friends who’ll kick your ass if you do anything he doesn’t like,” Linus said.

“Duly warned. Plus, his best friend is the nephew of the mayor. I’ll behave.”

Linus grinned, because his own sire was a retired Chief Constable. It helped having family with connections. “I’ll tell Miko about the party, and I’ll see you there. Okay?”

“For sure, pal. You’d better shower first, though, you smell.”

Linus playfully kicked at Danyel’s departing backside. Some of their teammates had already left the field for the locker room, while others hung around with friends and family. Linus wanted to celebrate until he passed out from exhaustion, and he didn’t know where to turn first.

Strong arms wrapped around his waist and spun him in circles until Linus shouted to be let down. His nose told him who’d done it, but he still waited until he was steady on his feet again before turning to smack Peyton in the chest. “Asshole,” Linus said without malice to his brother-in-law.

“Just manhandling you while I can,” Peyton replied. “Before you get so famous you’ll have bodyguards at all times, and us little people won’t be able to sneeze in your direction without intervention.”

“Please don’t sneeze on me anyway. I already have seasonal allergies. Why do you think I don’t play spring sports?”

“Don’t blame me. Sic Demir on it. He cured me, he can cure you too.”

The banter was easy and familiar, and Linus didn’t read a single thing into it other than affection. Layne came over and hugged Linus again, and then Dad and Papa were back. Linus braced for the inevitable invitation for ice cream or pizza or something as a family unit.

“I’m sure you boys have plans for the rest of the night,” Dad said, his powerful voice still able to overcome the din of conversation all around them. “Liam and I are going to head home. Be safe, okay?”

Linus blinked dumbly at his sire for several seconds. “Okay. I’ll be safe, I promise.” He grasped for humor to stave off his nerves. “Too much excitement for one night, old man?”

Dad chuckled. “A bit, but the best kind of excitement. I’m so proud of you, Linus. I don’t have the words. All five of my boys have exceeded my expectations, and I love you.”

“Love you too, Dad. I’ll try to be quiet when I come home later.” Even though Linus was at university, he lived at home with his single beta brother Tarius, so they could help Papa out whenever Dad needed some extra care. Their family knew how to pull together in a crisis, and Dad’s age was an ongoing semi-crisis. It sucked being the youngest and having had Dad in his life for so many fewer years than all his brothers.

“You just get home safe,” Papa replied. “After you bask in your amazing winning goal and everything you’ve accomplished this year. You deserve it, baby boy.”

“Thank you, and I will be safe. You and Dad be safe, too.”

Papa hugged him hard. “See you in the morning.”

After his personal cheering section dispersed from the field, Linus followed his teammates into the locker room. More celebrating transpired, and Linus did not turn down a few belts from “water” bottles full of higher octane liquids. He ignored two underclassmen in the corner of the shower room who were jerking each other off and went to get dressed.

He’d had an amazing season—hell, an amazing four years playing—and practically floated his way out with the last of his teammates (except the two shower sex dudes, whose echoing moans were almost comical). The stadium parking lot was still full of tailgaters, both alumni and current students celebratingthe win. Someone shoved a beer into his hand and Linus drank it. He was either bumming a ride or taking the bus to the party anyway. University security was around but mostly lingered on the outskirts to prevent any fights with the rival team’s fans who might not have left yet.

“Hey!” Miko’s familiar voice rang over the general din, and Linus spun around. He’d lost track of his friend in all the earlier excitement, and he was glad Mike hadn’t left yet. Miko sprinted toward him, and they met in another tight hug. Miko’s naturally sweet scent seemed a bit stronger, but Linus’s own adrenaline was also coasting at an unusual high, so whatever.

“I still can’t believe you got the winning goal, hotshot!” Mike said.

“It was a lucky kick. It could have easily ricocheted off the post or something else stupid, and let the other team get control of the ball.”

“But it didn’t. Stop being modest for once, geez. You’re the youngest in a family full of overachievers. Bask in this glory, fool.”

“I’ll try. Hey, there’s a party tonight at Alton’s place. You’re coming, right?”

Miko blinked big, dark eyes at him. “I mean, this is the first I’m hearing about it, but yeah, I’ll come. As long as I’m not the only omega.”

“Unlikely. Alton knows basically everyone, especially the guys in the omega program. The house will be stuffed to the gills with dudes of all genders.”

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