Page 14 of Finding the Forward: Part One
“Is there any jealousy now that you, Soeng, and Double D are all together full-time?” the reporter asked after our sold-out home opener, which we’d won.
I laughed. “How could I be jealous of a guy whose literal job is to protect the love of my life? Also, Jonas is family.”
No, no jealousy for my husband’s bonded alpha. We were a pack. While we didn’t always get along, we cared about each other. A lot.
“You’re forming a pack, right? What took so long? After all, you and Double D have been a couple longer than you haven’t,” another inquired, shoving their microphone in my face.
“Me. If I knew all it took to get on the same team as them was to win a championship, I would’ve done it years ago.” I flashed them a big smile.
They all laughed. Our PR person caught my eye and mouthedgood answer.
“That was a great game tonight. You’re bringing it,” the first reporter added.
“Thanks. I love how welcoming the fans have been.” Tonight, I’d played even better than the other games this season as I continued to push myself to the limit.
It wasn’t enough. I could see it in the coaches’ eyes.
I answered a few more questions, went into the locker room, put away my mouth guard, and took off my skates. Our locker room at the arena was bigger and more open than the one at the training facility.
It had gleaming wooden stalls for our gear, lockers, and an enormous TV screen. On the floor was a plush black rug with the Knights logo. There were also restrooms, showers, the training room, the equipment manager’s office, and a small area with some couches and chairs. I thought it looked fancy, but Jonas said it looked like a spaceship.
Frustration flooded me as our coaches went over a few things with us. Even a plunge into the ice bath and a shower couldn’t quell my worry.
No, I couldn’t get traded before our pack charter was approved and our agents negotiated a pack contract. Then, I’d no longer lie awake at night worrying about being traded away from them. We’d be a package.
The Knights knew that. It could be why they were trying to get rid of me now.
Not to mention, we didn’twantto be traded. We were happy in New York, well, unless Boston ever wanted us. Hometown pride and all.
Carlos fist-bumped me, half-dressed. Slighter and shorter than me, he had tanned skin, dark hair, and brown eyes.
Okay, on this teameveryonewas shorter than me and almost everyone slighter.
“I haven’t had so much fun during a game since college. I have ideas,” he told me. Carlos was one of last year’s rookies and a local. Before being a Knight, he’d played for our farm team, the Bantams.
“I can’t wait to hear them,” I grinned. At first I’d been unsure how well we’d work together since I didn’t have much experience with kappas. But we made a good team.
Kappas were adrenaline junkies and thrill seekers–who didn’t always make the best choices.
Which could be why they were a rare designation.
“We’re going to Tito’s after the game. Coming?” Carlos added.
“Only if Grif will dance with me.” Dean joined me, freshly showered, in only a towel. Water slicked his strawberry blond hair to his head, drops gleaming on his freckled nose.
For a moment, I pulled my husband to me. I slow-danced with him in the middle of the locker room to a song only we could hear. He laid his head on my shoulder, happiness lacing his cozy scent.
This. I wanted this. Always. I wasn’t about to let anyone take it from me.
“Are you injured, Love? You hit the ice pretty hard on that one save.” Jonas joined us, also in only a towel. He looked Dean up and down, dark eyes narrowing, scarred jaw firming, as he scanned his omega for injuries.
Dean rolled his green eyes. “I’m fine, Babes.”
“Grif, can we talk?” Elias Royce jerked his head toward the seating area.
“Sure.” My heart sank. The feeling of not being good enough had driven me my entire life. Winning a championship ring had done nothing to fix it.
Winston, his packmate and our co-captain joined us, his dark, bald head gleaming. He played forward and sat out a good chunk of last season with injuries.
