“Nothing, I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine. You seem tired and like your head is elsewhere.” His eyes search mine, and I want to curse him for being so perceptive.
“I said I’m fine, so let’s go to practice.”
I go to walk away, but his hold on my jersey just gets tighter. “What do you need?” he asks, and my brows furrow.
“What do you mean?”
“What do you need to be more settled?” he asks, and my eyes widen. I rip his hand off my jersey and go to stomp away from him when he tugs me back. I smack his hand away, and he shakes his head. “I’m not going to tell anybody.”
“Fuck.” I tug at my hair, and Alexi shakes his head.
“I swear, Owen, I won’t tell anybody. Just tell me what you need.”
“Why would you keep my secret? How can I trust that you won’t really tell anyone?” I ask him, my heart racing, and it feels like my stomach is going to sink out of my ass. Like everything I’ve worked for is going to go right down the fucking drain because this over analytical dick figured out my secret.
“Because the team needs you, and I think the rule is fucking stupid.”
I blink at him but can’t get a read on if he’s telling me the truth or not. I shake my head. “You don’t understand. I can’t lose this.”
His hands grip my padded shoulders, and he leans down to look me in the eyes. “I give you my word that your secret is safe with me. Just let me help you.”
I don’t buy his reasoning, and I shake my head. “You have no reason to really keep my secret.”
He groans and shakes his head before he leans down and places his lips on mine. It’s a quick little peck but enough to render me speechless.
“That's why, okay?” He backs up and removes his hands from me. “You don’t have to feel the same way. It won’t change anything. But I like you, and I like Piper,” he says with a smile and shrugs. “You love hockey like I do, and you should be able to live out your dream. So let me help you.”
I just stare at him, my mouth wide open and my lips still tingling from the brief kiss. He lightly smacks my jaw, bringing me out of my stupor while smiling at me.
“Just tell me what you need, and it’s yours,” he says. He gives me one last lingering look, like he wants to devour me whole, before walking on his skates and heading to practice.
My hand slides up my neck, and I touch my lips. I guess that was the other shoe I felt was going to drop this entire time, and I’m not sure how I feel about it or Alexi Bandnin.
* * *
The plane lands in D.C, and I’ve felt Alexi’s eyes on me the whole time, like he’s just waiting for me to have a mental breakdown. I already told Piper that now isn’t the time for a relationship, and now I have another Alpha who wants my attention. The Omega side of me preens at having two Alphas who are interested in me, but the other part of me is terrified.
On the one hand, there’s an Alpha who knows the truth, who flirted with me before knowing my true designation, and has kept his word. Not to mention also happens to be into Piper just as much as I am.
I’m overwhelmed, and there’s only one person I want to talk to right now. I feel like both a mama’s boy and a needy Omega as I text my mom from the plane.
Hey, Mom.
Mom: Hey, sweetie. I have the DVR set for your game tonight.
I smile to myself and love my mom for her honesty. I know that she’s in California right now and will be going to Max’s game tonight. I always wondered how my brother felt about my relationship with mom and if he was jealous. Just like I was jealous of him being an Alpha and getting to live out my dream so effortlessly.
Does Max know?
Mom: No, I promised you I wouldn’t tell him, and I haven’t. Keeping this a secret is making me sick.
My captain found out I’m an Omega.
I see my mom is trying to call me, and I groan. As much as I want to answer, I can’t right now.
I can’t answer. I’m on the team plane.
