Page 8 of Knot Stepping Down
“Please tell me Declan wasn’t your first.”
I shake my head. “No, he wasn’t but it’s usually a one-night stand in a club or something. Dad would freak if I ever brought someone home and I haven’t really dated.” There hasn’t really been time since I’ve been working toward my degree and then when Declan stepped into my life, it was game over for everyone else. “I just… even if I did want him, how?”
“Okay, I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Declan likes you and you want to know how I know? Because Omegas make a mess. So much. We’re needy, horny little creatures and the best Betas and Alphas are the ones that make sure we’re safe, warm, and clean.” Milo grins as if that’s all the information I need but when I don’t latch on, he throws his hands up in playfulexasperation. “Avery, he held you. He made sure you were clean before leaving, and then he left you a note! He cares, Avery. He’s also as awkward as he is hot sometimes.”
That’s true. He’s better looking than half the esports team members but he does still have that awkward streak at times. Maybe I misread everything. I hope I did.
“So, go talk to him. You’re too cute to mope. I’ll be around if you need to text me, okay?”
I nod, stuffing the rest of the muffin into my mouth before grabbing my bag and rushing off to my class across campus. The path takes me past the gaming rooms where the esports team practices. I slow down, peeking through the glass door of one room, Declan, focused on aStarPulsematch, his teammate beside him. They’re deep in the game, screens flashing with colorful explosions as Declan grips the controller, his hands moving fast over the buttons.
I don’t understand much of anything that I’m watching except my focus is on his hands, the veins twisting under his dark skin as he punches buttons. It’s the same grip he used on me last night, pinning my hips to the bed, guiding me through several rounds of pleasure. His rough voice cuts through the glass, yelling into his headset— “Flank left, Kade, now!”—and it’s that same gravelly tone he used when he murmuredyou’re perfect. My body reacts, slick threatening to make a mess again, a sigh falling from my lips at the heartache it leaves me with.
Pressing a hand to the glass seems to be a beacon, Declan twisting around to meet my gaze. I expect to see disgust or confusion but a soft smile spreads across his lips, his entire expression flooding with desire. And then, just before I dash off down the hall, I catch him mouthing three words that put me into the very puddle I was trying to avoid.
“Hey, pretty boy.”
avery
Withclassesfinallyover,I drag my feet across campus, the strap of my bag digging into my shoulder with the extra three books I snatched from the library this afternoon.
I drag out my phone, dismissing an unread message from Milo. “Fuck, I’m going to be late!” This is the best day of the week, the day when the esports tournament takes over Knotlocke Academy. It’s probably one of the better things about the academy as a whole too—each and every sports team has a fanbase. Well, maybe not the grav-ball players because I have no idea what that sport even is.
Making a beeline for the tournament room—a large gym with a stage in the middle, full desktop setups for both teams and chairs situated on the floor around them in a circle—I finally find my seat, Milo waving me down. “Didn’t think you’d make it!” Heall but screams in my ear, grinning as I squeeze by someone to finally breathe.
The place is more packed than usual, everyone buzzing for another win. The team has been undefeated for months and we’re all hoping for that streak to continue. I also want to believe that Declan’s last words to me meant something—that tonight he’s not going to ignore me. That maybe there will even be a repeat.
The crowd cheers as the Knotlocke team files in, rocking black and hot pink branded merch—sleek jackets and fitted tees that make them look like rock stars. My eyes lock on Declan, my breath in my throat at how different he looks in his element. He’s gorgeous in a suit, but this? This iseverything.
His short black hair is tousled just right and that cocky grin is back, the one that makes my knees weak. He’s joking with one of his teammates as they take their seats and start preparing for the beginning of the game. Even from here, I can imagine his pine scent wrapping around me, fantasies of myself in place of that controller.
Focus, Avery. Not here.
The rival team marches in from the other side, their blue and silver merch a stark contrast to Knotlocke. They’re from Crestwood Academy, all four of them exhibiting the same intense energy that our team is. A peppy Beta with a mic steps onto the stage, silencing the rest of us. “Welcome to the Knotlocke versus CrestwoodStarPulseshowdown! This is a high-stakes match, best of three rounds, with a fifteen-minute time limit per round. First team to capture the enemy base or eliminate all opponents wins!”
The crowd roars, Milo leaning into to whisper, “Declan’s gonna crush this. Bet he’s thinking about you while he’s shooting.” He wiggles his brows, and I elbow him in the side, laughing despite my nerves.
“He isnot,” I say, but my gaze doesn’t waver from the Alpha. He’s adjusting his headset, his hands moving with that same precision I watched yesterday. His rough voice crackles through the speakers as he calls out to his team, “Lock in, let’s move!”
The game begins and it’s chaos in the best way.StarPulseis a fast-paced strategy shooter, all neon landscapes and tactical plays, at least from what I remember the one time Declan tried to teach me. Our team spawns in a glowing jungle, their avatars darting through vines as they set up defenses. Crestwood’s team comes out swinging, lobbing digital grenades, the screens flashing with explosions. One of our team’s voice cuts through the chaos. “Brad, flank right. Dec, hold the ridge.”
Milo nudges me, grinning. “Your boy’s a beast. No wonder you dropped three grand.”
“Oh my god,shut up,” I whisper back at him. My cheeks flame like they have been all day as I shove Milo out of my space so that I can focus on the game.
Declan’s avatar snipes an enemy, and the crowd cheers, his grin flashing on the jumbotron. It’s that panty-dropping smile, my eyes widening as I catch him mouthing words that the world doesn’t need to know.
“Pretty boy, this is for you.”
I swallow nervously, hoping no one is able to read his lips like I just did. Unfortunately, Milo is a special breed of amazing. “Pretty boy? Holy shit, that’s you! I told you—”
I slap a hand over his mouth to get him to shut up. “Seriously, Milo? God, I’m going to ask your brother to strangle you the next time I see him. Or maybe you just need a big strong Alpha, yourself? How’s Raven?” I watch as Milo turns bright red and settles back in his seat.
We both have our forbidden crushes—Raven, the football coach’s daughter and assistant to the team. I know it’s only a matter of time before Milo and his brother, Quentin, find a wayinto her heart. It’s a cheap shot but it’ll keep Milo quiet and everyone around us from finding out what happened last night.
We’re on the last round, with minutes to go before the timer is up. The teams are tied at a match each, fingers flying over buttons, the tension so thick that you could cut it with a knife. Someone curses and then a Crestwood player yells out a move I’ve never heard before. It feels like the temperature in the room drops as emotions rise, a chaos of scents exploding in the small gym.
The Knotlocke team is ahead by a few points, or at least that’s what the announcer says. All I know is that I’m praying for another one, my hands clasped together as my gaze darts across the neon screens. Sienna’s shrill voice cuts through the noise as she cheers on Declan, my nerves on edge.
