“Why?” Santo asks.
“He doesn’t want me to be separated from him, and he also doesn’t want me to be on the bus with the players,” I shrug. “I don’t mind it, but I worry about him.”
I keep to myself what he said about his doctor. I need to ask if he has any follow up appointments.
“Her brother is going to meet us at the car,” Miles says, coming back.
Walking out of the hotel, I pull on the sweatshirt I slept in last night.
“I’m bringing you one of my hoodies,” Santo grumbles.
“We both will,” Levon chuckles as we walk toward the back of the parking lot. “This way, you’ll have all of your alphas’ scents with you.”
“Mmm. I really like that idea,” I say.
The car is just as small as I remember, and Santo has no issue sitting me on his lap as he sprawls out in the back seat. He snuggles against me, sighing happily.
“We’re going to get to see you tonight after the game, right?” he asks.
“Yes,” I nod. I could play coy, but that’s not who I am. “How do you guys feel about going out to one of the bars with live music? I don’t have any friends here yet, and I wouldn’t want to go alone.”
“I’d hope not,” Miles rumbles. “I’ll go wherever you want. We’ll be in your city, Caelia.”
“Okay,” I say, relaxing into Santo’s arms. I’ll just dress in something I’ll feel cute in.
A man is waiting in the coffee shop’s lot when we pull in, and we all pile out of the car.
“Alexei,” Miles greets as we come over to him.
“Hello,” he says politely. Looking over at me, he glances at my hand where my key fob is clutched inside it. “We’re going to try to jump your car, yes?”
“Yes, please,” I nod. “I hope it’s nothing too serious.”
“I’d still suggest taking it into a shop when you get home,” he says. “My sister says you’re not from here.”
“New Orleans,” I reply, unlocking the car.
I watch as Alexei hooks up my car, and I sit in the driver seat, turning it on when he nods at me. It starts right up, and I sigh happily.
“Yay! Thank you so much,” I gush.
“What do we owe you?” Miles asks, ignoring my glance. “This really was so much easier than waiting for roadside assistance.”
“Bah, they take forever,” Alexei shrugs. “This is my good deed for the day. There’s no charge.”
“Really?” I ask, hanging out the door of the SUV.
“Of course,” he says firmly. “I don’t trust the battery, miss. Drive straight home if you can, and don’t turn off the car, alright?”
“Yes, sir,” I say, sitting back in the car to check my gas. “I have more than enough gas to get home too.”
“Good,” he says, taking off the jumper cables and shutting the hood. “Be careful driving.”
“Thank you,” Santo, Miles, and Levon chorus.
Alexie chuckles and waves as he gets into his truck.
“Okay, I’ll see you later,” I tell them. “Thank you for helping me with the battery.”
