“If they aren’t willing to make it work, then they aren’t worthy of you. I’m not saying they need to give up hockey. But there needs to be some give and take.”
I rub my head, the feeling of a headache coming on. Maybe I need to take my contacts out and switch to glasses. “I don’t know what to do, Piper.”
“What do you want?”
“Them, but how the fuck is this supposed to work?”
She sighs and reaches out to hold my hand. “I don’t have the answer to that. But what I do know is you’re worth fighting for. So if they care about you, they will make it work. I also think you should try to enjoy your time with them while they’re here. Don’t go overthinking about what happens after Christmas. You guys should talk about it, but really get to know them. Make sure they are worth it.” I nod my head and squeeze her hand back. “Nick and I were planning on going to Stowe tonight, maybe you and your Alphas could come.”
I roll my eyes at her over-enunciated “Alphas” but nod my head anyway. “I’ll text and see if they want to come. I don’t think they can do any winter sports though.”
“They have tubing and lift rides.”
“I’ll let you know.”
“Need a ride home?”
“You just want to see Hank.”
She grins, drinking down the rest of her coffee. “Guilty.”
I feel lighter after talking to Piper. They’re my scent matches, and we’ll figure out a way to make this work.
Shockingly, all three guys come to Stowe’s, and I’m elated. We all drove together and are at the base of the mountain as we wait for Piper and Nick to get here.
“So Piper is your best friend?” Eli asks.
“Yes, since we were little. Oh, and she’s an Alpha.” His eyes are large, and he opens his mouth to ask a question as Piper and Nick come into view. I wave a gloved hand at her and smile. Nick is not what I was expecting. He’s about the same height as Piper, just under six feet, and has dark black hair in a man bun. His features are striking but simple. He smiles and holds out his hand. As I shake it, I can feel Anders’ massive frame behind me and an arm snaking around my waist.
I shake Nick’s hand briefly. “I’m Charlotte, this is Anders, Eli, and Mikael.”
Nick waves at the Alphas and nods his head. “Nick, nice to meet you.” I’m polite to the attractive Beta, but I hate to admit that I know he won’t last. As adamant as Piper thinks male Alphas aren’t for her, I know they are. As much as Piper likes being in charge and caregiving, I know that she craves to be on the receiving end as well. One day she will come to the same conclusion. Until then I will be nice to Nick and send my condolences for when Piper rips his poor little heart out.
“And this is Piper.” I hold out an arm to Piper, and she looks over each of my Alphas and nods her head.
“Nice to meet you guys. What would you like to do?”
“We can’t ski or snowboard,” Mikael says sharply.
“Tubing? Lifts?”
“Let’s do the lifts first before the sun goes down. Tubing is more fun when it’s dark anyway.” Piper says.
Eli and Anders give each other a conspiratorial look, and I glare at them, neither of them giving anything off. Piper and Eli go off to buy tickets for both of the events, and we stand around awkwardly. Anders fortunately breaks the silence. “So where do you go to school?”
“UMass with Piper. You guys?”
“BU,” Mikael says, and Nick nods his head.
“Thought about going there, but I got more grants to go to Mass.”
“Makes sense,” Anders says.
The conversation is not flowing easily, and I clear my throat. “So you and Piper?”
“Yeah,” he grins. “She’s funny, nice, and we kind of just hit it off.”
“She’s special.” Anders gives me a questioning glance, and I roll my eyes.
