Page 46 of Players and Pages
“Windows down,” Griff pleaded. “We’re going to walk in the restaurant full of pheromones and get kicked right out.”
Cy did as he asked while I cracked up, my laughter filling the space. It felt like this morning was a whole different life at this point. They’d turned my day around and kept a smile on my face.
We stopped for food before heading for the ballpark and I did get my strawberry shake. The guys parked in a private lot and led me inside, passing right through security. It felt like I was crossing into forbidden lands.
“Dance practice first, boys,” Mandy called out as she walked out of the dance studio.
“Ugh, caught,” Griff groaned, earning an eye roll from the omega. There was almost a sibling vibe between them as she turned a pleading look my way.
“Tell me you’ll talk sense into them,” she pleaded. “Dancing is fun.”
“Come on, I’ll even practice with you,” I promised. That had all three alphas perking up and Mandy clapped her hands excitedly.
“Yes! That means they’ll even practice more. We’ve got a new trend, get your asses in here.”
She turned and flounced away, blonde ponytail swinging behind her.
“She’s nice,” I said as I urged them to follow.
“Don’t let it fool you, she’s a drill sergeant when it comes to dance practice,” Cy said as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders.
They weren’t kidding, either. The whole team was already practicing as the tiny omega barked out orders and counted in moves, correcting postures and flawlessly showing off the choreography.
When we joined, she waved us over. “You four can stand in front. May as well learn it with us so you can help them later.”
Just like that I was wedged in between the entire Knuckleball Knockouts as they practiced the new dance. I didn’t recognize the song, but by round four I was singing with them.
“Okay, that’s enough,” she finally said. “Take a break, but practice tonight. You guys killed it and if you don’t get on the field, Coach will kill you.”
She laughed at her own joke and waved them out.
“You going to watch us from the stands, sweets?” Jackson asked.
“Sure,” I said with a shrug.
“Just wait for us here,” Griff said as they led me to the locker room. “We’ll walk you out as soon as we change.”
They left me in front of the locker room. I felt a bit like a baseball groupie as the other players filed out, giving me greetings as they headed out.
Someone walked up from the opposite direction. One who wasn’t at the dance practice and I didn’t recognize him, either.
“Oh, hello,” he practically purred, making my skin crawl. I gave the alpha a tight smile.
“Hi.”
He chuckled at my curt response, stopping right next to me and putting an arm on the wall behind me. It was a move that might have been sexy from my pack, but not from him.
“I’m here with my pack,” I said, trying to take a step back but he boxed me in. “Can you back up, please?”
“Aw, don’t be like that. How serious is this pack, red?”
I cringed at the nickname. Too many people in my life tried to use that one and it was generally followed by not so wholesome comments.
“Serious,” I said, standing taller and glaring at him. My voice was louder this time, and if it didn’t work, I was prepared to call for my pack. “I said, step back.”
He leaned in closer, trying to run his nose along my cheek but he was snatched back so quickly that cool air whipped against my flushed skin.
“She told you to back the fuck up, rookie. You can’t take no for an answer?” Cy growled, holding him by his throat and getting right in his face as he pressed him into the brick wall. “You like preying on omegas like a fucking creep?”
