“Hurry, Mom!” Asher yells, tugging my arm as we make our way through the crowd-filled hallways of Pinnacle Arena. He’s wearing his Junior Scorpions jersey with pride, smiling from ear to ear as we make our way toward our seat access. I’ve been dying to take him to a game for years, but there’s just been no way to figure it into the budget. Being here now is surreal. It’s finally happening thanks to Pack Keene, and my son’s excitement is infectious.
I’d rather have bought the tickets on my own rather than accept a gift from the Alphas, but it’s hard to refuse things for my son—just like his new pads, skates, and helmet. Them including the entire team in their generosity has taken some of the sting of losing my independence out of it, though.
They know just how to court us,my inner omega whispers, and though I try to shove my instincts back, it’s true. Anyone can buy soft blankets and jewelry, but Pack Keene has done something completely different. Instead of trite gifts, they’ve shown me just how much they understand my priorities, providing Asher with experiences and meeting his needs in waysI can’t. Watching them love my son has me toppling head-over-heels down the rabbit hole of possibilities.
The sign for the gate nears, and I squeeze Asher’s hand. Someone bumps into me as I slow down, and I jump a mile. My skin is tender at the moment. More sensitive than usual since my time with Vonn. And although I’m here with Asher, there’s still a hint of heat simmering below my skin.
Knowing I’m going to see Vonn today, probably even sit next to him in the stands, brings that spark roaring back to life. Excitement builds low in my belly, making it flutter with eagerness, but at the same time, I’m worried that spending too much time around each other could trigger an unexpected heat.
It’s way too soon for that.Of course, if that happens, I could always go to my usual heat facility, but the idea of having one without Vonn—and okay, maybe even Julius—is overwhelmingly sad.
“Mom, can we get a hot dog?” Asher pleads, pointing at the concession stand in front of the gate. Geez, the cost in here is astronomical, ten dollars for a single hot dog when I could buy two packs from the grocery store for that kind of money. It makes my gut clench at the sheer wastefulness, but still, I don’t want to dampen his day. I nod, and we make our way over to the vendor. I have a little bit of extra money for today, but not much. Though a new email from NightNudes offering me a VIP trial was a welcome occurrence yesterday. Apparently, it will help me find higher-paying clients, and I’ll keep a larger percentage, as long as my satisfaction rating stays high.
Hopefully, that will be an avenue to earn more money, though it’s becoming uncomfortable to show my body now that I’ve met Julius and Vonn. My growing comfort with Vonn, especially, is making me want to come clean and confess everything, so I’m struggling with whether I should tell them what I do for a living. The other option would be to just stop, and never say a word…Maybe a few more sessions with higher payers could help. Then we could have a normal courtship. They’ll never need to know.That way, my current job can’t hurt them or me.
NightNudes has served its purpose—keeping a roof over Asher’s head and food in his belly. It was never meant to be a forever kind of thing. Having a kid means sacrificing everything you are and everything you’ll ever be to make sure that they’re cared for.
Asher chatters beside me as we get into the line. He talks about the stats of his favorite players, excitement infectious. The line moves quickly, and before I know it, we’re up there.
“All right, what do you want, buddy?” He looks at the sign.
“Just a hot dog is fine, Mom. I don’t need anything else.” Asher chews his lip, clearly uncomfortable now that he’s gotten a closer look at the prices. Sadness swirls inside me that he notices such things.
“What about a drink?” I prompt, and he holds up his branded water bottle.
“I’m good with water.” I know he’d like more than that, but my son is extremely money-conscious. It’s hard not to carry extreme guilt over that, but I guess it could be worse, so I order him a hot dog and throw in a bucket of popcorn for good measure because I know he’ll love it. Asher flashes me an enormous grin, which lights up my insides as I pass some of the food his way. “Are you ready to go find our seats? Vonn said they’re really close to the glass.”
“I can’t believe we’re really at a hockey game! And we’re so close to the action, too! It’s going to be insane.” Earlier worry over food prices forgotten, we make our way toward the gate.
“I can’t believe it either, bud, but I’m excited to see them play!” As we walk through the gate to our section, I glance down at the tickets to make sure I know which seats are ours. The place isoverwhelming, so many sounds and scents assaulting me as I try to get my bearings.
“Can I help you find your seat, ma’am?” an usher asks, but I wave him off, not willing to part with any money for a tip. I just don’t have enough to go around. Searching, I see a few of the parents from the Junior Scorpions and automatically head that way.
“Mom, they’re already out on the ice!” Asher waves at the rink, and I glance toward the glass. The second I do, it’s as though the guys can sense me. Our eyes immediately connect, and all the noise falls away.
We’re in a vacuum. Julius’s face lights up, a grin splitting from ear to ear. He waves eagerly, and Vonn makes a face. They both tap the glass, their gaze now turning to Ash, and they air-fist-bump. Asher mimics the motion back to them, and something settles deep inside me. The fact that they care for him nearly as much, if not more, than they care for me is a balm to my cracked soul.
Vonn skates closer to the glass, and like a siren song, I can’t stop from walking down the stairs. Moving forward until I press my face to the cool, smooth surface, my heart thunders in my chest, and longing seizes my lungs. I don’t like that they’re in the boy aquarium where everyone in attendance can ogle them. Not approved. Not one little bit.
“You guys are in the front row. The last two seats!” he shouts, voice carrying over the glass panels. “I’ll be out to sit with you in about five minutes!” He winks at me and then, with one last backward glance, skates over to finish warm-ups. Asher gives a whoop of excitement, and it’s infectious.
We find the seats Vonn pointed out, and I double-check the tickets just to make sure. I don’t think my nerves could handle getting yelled at for sitting in the wrong row. We settle in to watch. I place the popcorn between our seats and hope it doesn’tspill as Asher flops down loudly beside me. He takes a huge bite of his hot dog, groaning appreciatively as he inhales the treat. The smell tickles my nose and makes my stomach growl. I wish I had a few extra dollars for one for me.
I instantly focus on the ice as Julius and some other players stretch. He’s wearing his ridiculous 69 jersey, but now I know him better, it suits his personality perfectly—crass and brash, but ultimately pleasurable.
This man, he freaking got me firedandcalled me a bad mom in public, and yet I can’t seem to maintain my anger toward him. He’s overbearing, bossy to a fault; so what made me soften? Perhaps it’s the insistent yet sweet texts he sends daily, or the fact that I’m pretty sure he was behind Asher getting all new hockey gear. The insufferable man is growing on me, but if Julius is wrapping around me like a weed, Vonn has already planted roots in my heart.
True to his word, Vonn exits the rink, slips something over the blades of his skates, then walks over in his full gear to sit beside me. He yanks off his helmet and tousles his hair, sending waves of sweet chocolate-hazelnut my way.
Delicious. Mine.
“You’re not playing tonight?” Asher pipes up expectantly.
“Not tonight. I’m the backup, so I don’t play that often unless our goaltender, Miles, gets fatigued. But Julius promises he’ll put on a really good show for you.” Asher takes in what he says, then refocuses on the ice.
There’s only a week and a half before Asher’s exhibition, and the looming deadline feels like a ticking time bomb.Will these men even want to see me anymore after it’s over?In such a short time, they’ve become a constant presence, but as all the excuses we’ve been hiding behind fall by the wayside, I’ll have to decide—Am I in? Or am I out?
Most importantly, how will Asher feel about it all?
