“No, honey. I didn’t mean to get all depressing. This is just good news. I know none of the Alphas at school did anything for you. Who would have thought you would meet them here, at home?”
“They go to school in Boston. I’m not sure where they live during the off season. They’re hockey players. I don’t know what that means for the future either.” My mom grabs my shoulders and looks me in the eye. Sometimes looking at my mom is like looking into my future with how similar we look.
“Don’t let the fear of the future hold you back, Charlie. This is a gift. Don’t let it slip through your fingers because you spend too much time worrying. Don’t run away before you get the chance to see how amazing it could be.” I nod, and she leans forward and kisses my forehead before wrapping me up into a hug. “I’d like to meet the other boys too.” They are far from boys, they are gigantic men, but I don’t correct her.
I nod, knowing that Eli won’t be a problem. Mikael may be another story. She pulls away from the hug, only to pull me into another. “You deserve this, Charlie. I’m so happy for you and so proud of you.”
I sniffle, but hold back tears. Moms just really know how to lay it on thick, don’t they?
There’s a knock at the door, and my mom pulls herself away from my arms but follows me to answer. When I open the door, Eli and Anders are both there with smiles on their faces.
“Ma’am,” Eli says, holding out his hand.
My mom shakes it and laughs. “You can call me Kathy. It’s nice to meet you…”
“Eli.”
“Anders, Eli, and who is the third?” Mom asks.
Eli rubs the back of his neck with a gloved hand. “Mikael was busy this morning.” He says it smoothly, but my mom is no dummy, she knows something’s up. She nods her head and gives the guys a once over.
“I’d love to cook a meal for everyone. Maybe in a few days?”
“That would be lovely, Kathy,” Anders says politely, and my mom nods her head. I go to grab my bag, but Eli grabs it first and throws it over his shoulder.
“Make sure to call if you won’t be home tonight,” Mom calls as I’m shutting the door. I watch as Eli’s cheeks redden and I can’t help but smile.
“Thanks for picking me up.”
“I’m just glad you agreed to hang out today,” Eli says, opening the passenger door.
“Anders, you can sit upfront. You’re much taller than me.”
He shakes his head and nearly pushes me up into the passenger’s seat, then shuts the door and gets in the back.
“So what’s the plan?”
“We were kind of hoping you were up for a skate? We need to stay in shape and, well, your time got disturbed yesterday,” Eli says.
“I’d love that. It’s noon on a Saturday though. The lake will be packed.”
“As long as there aren’t any rogue pucks, we should be fine.”
I nod. The warmth of the cab feels nice, so does the comfort of Eli and Anders scents. I wonder if they are projecting more pheromones around me, or if it has to do with knowing they’re around their scent match. I don’t really care about the reason, I just don’t want it to stop. I want to ask if Mikael will be there, but I’m not sure if there is a point.
Since their cabin is right on the lake, Eli parks in the garage. Anders gets out and grabs me by the waist and puts me on the ground. I don’t miss how slowly he drags me down his body as he helps me plant my feet on solid ground. I give him a smirk, but he just leans down and kisses me lightly before Eli comes to our side of the garage with my bag looped in the crook of his arm.
We’re all already dressed to go skating, except for the skates.
“Need your whole bag, or just the skates?” Eli asks.
“Just the skates.” Eli opens up my bag with no care in the world, grabs my skates, and carries them alongside his own. “You aren’t bringing your sticks and gear?”
“Nope, just skating drills today. Hope you’re ready,” Eli smirks, confidently taking my hand in his as we walk through the shoveled path of snow down to the lake.
“Should I be concerned?” I whisper over my shoulder to Anders, who just grins and shrugs his shoulders. “That doesn’t make me feel any better.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll go easy on you.” Eli says, tugging my hand and pulling me closer to him, leaning down to whisper against my hair. “This time.”
