Me: I’m not. Us is the one thing that is keeping me happy right now.
Lincoln: Okay. I’m going to talk with Korbin and see if there’s something the PR team can do to help handle this. My girl isn’t going to be slammed online.
My hand goes to my heart. His words only reassure me more that this man is everything I think he is.
Lincoln: Can I message you later?
Me: You better.
I let out a calming breath, finally feeling a little in control since seeing the notifications on my phone.
I’m terrified, yes—but also proud. Because for once, I’m choosing me. What I want. Who I want. And he’s picking me as well.
29
Milton
Practice was a fucking shitshow.It was bad enough having to be here at five this morning, but then Coach opened his fucking mouth, and that was it. I’ve never really hated anyone until him. If he were to get run over by an opposing team’s bus, I’d be the first to throw the celebration party.
I swear, being traded to another team would be a godsend for me and Korbin. Not all of our teammates are unbearable, but a good chunk are. The coaches and owners, other than my direct goalie coach, are fucking dickheads. They wouldn’t know how to keep up a team’s morale or showcase their strengths if it was handed to them on a silver platter.
The second Korbin and I step into the locker room, we know something’s up. Some of our team mates are clustered in a corner, looking at something on a phone. I don’t even process who it is. Just that they’re laughing and pointing at Korbin.
It’s the assistant captain who steps forward first, opening his mouth.
“If I’d have known your brother was so pathetic, I would’ve thrown an omega at him sooner. But damn, man, he’s low. Taking his ass to our opponents.”
I immediately take hold of Korbin’s shoulders, holding him back even though I want to deck the fucker myself.
“Ignore his ass,” I growl in Korbin’s ear. “He’s just a worthless dick full of lies.”
“Am I?” he asks confidently, turning his phone, holding it out so we can see, showing us a video on social media.
Kraken omega slumming it with Brooks’ brother.
“Guess she wanted a low-class alpha. I mean, if she wanted a Brooks brother, she should’ve tried for you,”he gloats.
Korbin breaks free from my hold, his arm pulled back, hand fisted and ready to punch the fucker. I should let him. But I need to remember our end game, and no team in the league wants a troublemaker who can’t get along with his teammates.
“Not the place, Korbin.” My voice deepens as I pull him out of the locker room.
“What the hell, Milton?” he snaps at me when I get him out into the hallway. “He was talking about my brother. About her.” He adds the last part softer.
“I know, man, and trust me, I want to rearrange his face as well, but now is not the time or place. If you get in a fight with him, our teammate, it’s going to fuck our plans. Go to the truck and calm your ass down. I’ll get our shit.”
Korbin stands rigid, staring past me, his jaw ticking. Then, with a frustrated sound, he yanks off his pads, ripping them over his head and tossing them hard onto the bench like he cannot stand another second in them.
“Korbin, please. We need to keep our heads clear. Getting into a fight is what that asshole wants. Don’t give it to him. Be the bigger man.”
“Fine,” he snarls before turning and heading toward the exit,not even acting like he gives a shit what’s going to happen to his blades.
I take a deep breath, letting my head fall backward for a second. Of the two of us, Korbin is more hotheaded. Doesn’t mean I liked any of the shit that Philips was spewing. Lincoln’s a proud man and couldn’t care less what people say. It’s Bayleigh, I’m worried about. Hearing how the fucker talked about her pisses me off. No man should talk about a woman like that, not one as sweet as her, anyway.
When I step back into the locker room, Philips and his little butt-buddies are throwing cheap shots, but it’s when one of them says her name again.
“Bayleigh Lennox.”
My jaw tightens. “Enough.” My alpha bark erupts. “Not one more fucking word. Lincoln went on a date. Big fucking whoop. Her brother’s a Kraken. She’s not. So shut the fuck up.”
