Page 178 of Finding the Forward: Part One
Aww. He wanted me there. The thought warmed me.
The game against the Aces was fast and furious from the puck drop. The animosity between number sixty-nine and the Knights was evident.
Dean dropped to the ice, blocking the net with his body. The puck sailedoverhim. Number sixty-nine did a celebratory dance, taunting Dean.
“Fucking Beau Bachman,” AJ grumbled. Like last time, he wore a jersey with Grif’s number twenty-six on it over his button-down with his suit slacks.
Carlos passed Grif the puck as the clock ticked down to the end of the first period. Grif plowed over number sixty-nine as he smacked the puck across the red line into the Ace’s goal, nearly whacking Beau in the head with his stick.
Their goalie peeled himself up from the ice in defeat as Grif’s score music played.Go Grif.
Intermission started and I went to the bathroom. As I made my way back to the section, a beta woman with light brown wavy hair and striking blue eyes tapped me on the shoulder.
“You're Verity the plant professor?” Her French-Canadian accent was thick. She wore a Knights jersey with the number thirty-one on the sleeve andTremblayon the back.
“I am. Hi.” Considering whose jersey she was wearing, I was guessing this was Jean-Paul’s girlfriend, the flight attendant who liked plants.
Wait, nofiancée,he’d just proposed.
“Hi, I’m Celine. Thank you for helping him with my plants.” Her smile was warm.
“You’re quite welcome. It’s nice to finally meet you,” I replied. I went back to my seat and took off my jacket when I sat down because I was getting warm.
“Why are you wearing that and not Grif’s number?” AJ eyed me.
“My sister stole my Knights hoodie and hasn’t given it back yet.” I shrugged. I was wearing my Hurricanes sweatshirt.
AJ rolled his eyes. “If you’re going to sit with your jacket off, we should get you something else.”
“I’m fine. This is the sweatshirt he gave me. I wear it all the time.” I took a drink of beer. It wasn’t like they were playing the Hurricanes. I should get a Knights jersey. If I got twenty-six for Grif, I should get Dean’s, too. Maybe I needed forty-two for Jonas? And rotate?
Ooh, I should get one online with all their numbers on it, like Janessa had. Yes, I’d order one next time I got a modeling job.
AJ shrugged. “It’s your ass.”
Second period, Beau did everything he could to score on Dean. There was a story there, I’m sure, as Dean saved puck after puck, defense working hard to protect him. The Aces were still up 3-2.
Dean ate ice trying to stop another puck from Beau. His gloved hand opened to reveal a puck. The arena roared with cheers. Beau looked like he was about to kick Dean. Jonas shoved him. Before he could shove back, the ref blew his whistle and Elias pulled Jonas away.
“Don’t call him for roughing, don’t call him for roughing,” AJ muttered. The ref walked away and AJ relaxed. “I know you hate Beau, Jonas, but you can’t go in the box. You have to stay and protect Dean.”
“Why do you all hate him?” I finally asked.
“Beau Bachman is the one who outed Dean as an omega in an attempt to get him fired. Asshole.” AJ made a face. Jonas didn’t get a penalty, but there was a line change.
“Oh. Okay.” Now I understood the animosity. Unfortunately, there were people against omegas in professional contact sports.
Also, using sixty-nine for your number said a lot about you.
Pauley passed the puck to Nia, who shot it into the Ace’s goal. The goalie caught it, and the crowd booed.
The Aces changed their line. Beau came charging back out to the ice.
Coach Atkins put Carlos, Clark, and Grif back in. Grif immediately slid past their defense. He knocked the puck right through the goalie’s legs before he could get all the way down on his knees.
I rocketed up out of my seat and cheered. “Go, Tiger.”
We were now tied 3-3, and that was Grif’s second goal of the game. Beau got the puck and skated toward Dean with ferocity.
