Everything was perfect for those first few days. I even thought he’d accepted me being deaf, and I felt a moment of security and shared with him that I could speak. He was so happy until he heard me. Then, he rejected me in front of everyone.
James bumps my shoulder before taking hold of my arms and turning me to face him. He grips my chin in his hand, tilting my head upward.
“Stop. Wherever you zoned out to, put it in the past.” He knows my life has been rough, and that I was picked on a lot inmy younger years. He’s my best friend. I couldn't hide it from him. Not like I can with my voice.
I nod in response.
“Those bitches wished they were half as hot as you. Jealous, that’s all they are. I mean I would be too, after getting a look at you, and well, you do have me as the perfect arm candy.” James winks. I shake my head before wrapping my arms around his waist, hugging him tightly as I bury my head in his chest.
I pull away from him, my fingers flying gracefully through the air as I sign.I know. Who doesn’t wish they had a beta who was as hot and stylish as you? Now, I want popcorn, nacho cheese, and a Pepsi.
James smiles widely, the corners of his mouth going from ear to ear as his grayish blue eyes twinkle. Just the sight warms my heart.
We head to the concession stand and wait in line as we continue to sign back and forth. Sometimes he turns to look at me, so that I can read his lips and he can talk. Inch by inch, we move closer to the counter.
The longer we’re in the line, the more people pack in, the harder it is for my implant to handle the noise. It glitches in and out, trying to process too many voices at once. I stop even trying to rely on it and keep my focus on James instead.
I get it. Hockey games are full of excitement. But none so much as when the Scorpions and Krakens go head to head.
I’m so lost in thought I don’t realize we’ve moved to the counter until James gently takes my hand, pulling me closer to him. Gazing up at him, I see he’s giving our order, and I watch anxiously, making sure that the attendant is getting my cheese. Not having it is the only thing that can place a stain on this day. Well, that and the Krakens losing.
James hands me the bottle of Pepsi, and I slip it into the pocket on my jacket, then I take the popcorn and nacho cheesefrom him. The cheese is in a cup, so I’m able to drop it into the bucket of popcorn, leaving one hand free to keep talking to James. He, on the other hand, has his hands full with the nachos, a can of beer and a box of peanut M&M’s.
He makes sure I’m looking at before he speaks. “Let’s go get our seats and root for who we think has the hottest ass.”
I use one hand and quickly sign.As long as it’s not my brother.
“Sorry, Bayleigh. I can’t make any promises. He’s not my brother and well, his ass is…” He sticks the can of beer under his arm, lifting his free hand to his mouth, biting his knuckle. “I’ve seen him walking around your place in his boxers.”
I shake my head, faking like I’m gagging because ewww. That is not an image I want in my mind.
We head toward the steps that’ll lead us to our seats. My head is facing him so that I can read his lips as he talks animatedly. Thankfully, he’s moved on from my brother to Nelson, the goalie for the Krakens. Now, his ass is one I’d love to talk about, see, and even take a bite out of.
James is talking faster than normal, but I find myself proud that I’m actually able to keep up. Normally, I don’t have to work as hard with him or my family because they’re also signing. I think I may ask James to do more talking without signing so I can get even better at reading lips.
I’m so engrossed in concentrating on catching every word that James is saying that I’m not paying any attention to what’s around me. I’m confident that if there is any danger lurking ahead, James will let me know.
But he doesn’t, and I’m mid-laugh when I slam right into a wall of pure steel, making me stumble as my bucket of popcorn and cheese crashes to the floor. I’m able to catch my balance, but my heart drops at seeing my tasty treat scattered beneath my feet.
When I look up, I see the most stunning cerulean blue eyes I’ve ever seen attached to a ruggedly handsome face. Dark stubble shadows his jaw, and his mouth, full, expressive—moves as he speaks, my focus locking there without permission.
As my eyes trail down to his chest, I see his body is muscular, and I swallow hard. His scent hits a second later—sandalwood and something warm underneath it—nothing sweet, nothing needy. I can feel the heat creep to my cheeks and can only imagine how red I must look before my eyes go back to his face and I see his lips moving.
“Do you always walk without watching where you’re going?” His lips move fast, clipped, and my chest tightens as I scramble to keep up.
I don’t answer, though. I can’t. And if I did, I doubt he’d even understand what I’m saying unless he knows sign language.
“Hello? Are you ignoring me?” He waves his hand in front of my face, and all I can focus on is how plump and kissable his lips are.
I shake my head no and make a fist, rubbing it on my chest. The sign for sorry, just in case he knows ASL. I mean, I can’t just presume he doesn’t.
“You’ve got to be kidding me. You bump into me and then just stand there like nothing happened.” He raises a brow. “Cat got your tongue? Are you deaf or something? No one has fucking manners anymore.”
My stomach drops, that old familiar shame curling tight before I can stop it.
James immediately takes hold of my arm, pulling me close to his side. My eyes shift over to him, and I can see the scowl on his face. But with him trying to be in front of me, it’s hard for me to read his lips. So I step forward, shifting my body so I can look between the two of them. He hands me his nachos, freeing his hands.
James steps toe to toe with the alpha, whose sandalwood scent wraps around me.
