“Me?”
She laughs, her smile warming even more when two men join her. One is tall with red hair and a deep scowl. He’s wearing a shirt that says ‘made of star stuff’ surrounded by a galaxy. The other guy is broad, with tattoos up and down his muscular arms.
“Raven, these are two of my packmates,” Meggie says. “McQuinn and Oz.”
She didn’t need to introduce them. I watched their last water polo match during the Summer Olympics. I’ve always had a soft spot for less popular sporting events. And water polo is seriously underrated.
As soon as the other men join us, Foster moves out of the shadows to stand by me. He’s so close I can feel his body heat. It makes me want to melt into him and ease my nerves with his warmth.
“Oh!” Meggie squeaks out, surprised by my bodyguard’s unexpected appearance. Her packmates instantly stand taller, stepping slightly in front of their omega instinctively. Foster isn’t a threat, but her alphas don't know that.
The tattooed one she called Oz reaches a hand forward. “Oz Hart. Meggie’s alpha.” His voice is low, his words to the point. Foster looks down at the peace offering for a second before meeting it with his meaty palm and shaking hands briefly.
“Foster D’Amico. Raven’s bodyguard.”
The air is tense with alpha posturing, Meggie’s other packmate standing like a silent sentinel, arms crossed and stance wide. Meggie looks between the men before sighing in exasperation.
“Okay, we get it. Enough with the dick measuring.You’re all big scary alphas.” She places a hand on McQuinn's arm. “He’s her bodyguard, not a threat.”
The alpha looks at Meggie, his features softening and posture relaxing. Those tense forearms uncross, wrapping around Meggie to pull her close to his side.
Something like jealousy pinches in my chest. No, not jealousy. I don’t want Meggie’s alphas. This is more like… longing. What would it be like to have that type of intimate connection with someone? Or multiple someones?
Before the situation can get any more awkward, a harried beta with a clipboard and a headset rushes up to Meggie. He says something to her I can’t quite hear, and the omega turns back to me with an apologetic grimace. “Apparently I’m needed elsewhere. It was so nice to meet you, Raven. And Foster. Hopefully I’ll see you again while we’re here. Preferably up on that podium wearing a medal.” She winks at me, then she’s gone, her alphas and the beta assistant following in her wake.
Foster’s still watching them, tension radiating through his frame. I reach out and touch his forearm. “Hey. Everything okay?”
He shakes his head like he’s jerking out of a daydream, then steps back to my side. His fingers rake through the longer strands of hair on the top of his head, but he doesn’t make eye contact with me. “Yeah. It’s all good. Just making sure that, uh, the area is safe for you.”
Is that a blush I see on those olive cheeks? My heart flutters without my consent.
The moment is interrupted by a man with a camera waving us over. “Are you ready? We’re on a timeline and have more omegas to get through.” The way he saysomegaswith a slight sneer isn’t lost on me, and Foster stiffens again.
Without thinking, I reach for his hand, lacing my smaller fingers with his. I drag him over to where the photographer is waiting, leaving him to stand just off set.
While I’m being directed and posed and told to smile more, I can’t help but sneak glances at my handsome bodyguard. The scary thing is, each time I look over at him, he’s staring right back.
8
RHODES
Vann bolts out of the locker room after our morning game like a bat out of hell. When Tanner calls after him, he just yells back that he’s headed to the cafeteria.
Something’s up with him. I follow, curious to see what’s got him so worked up. I’ve always been naturally inquisitive, and lately Vann has especially fascinated me.
Tanner and Orion don’t seem bothered when I leave. They told me they want to head back to the apartment and go over the tape from yesterday’s game. Tanner is still beating himself up about our loss, even though it’s not his fault. Austria played a good game. There’s skill and strategy in curling, but like any sport, there’s luck, too. This time, luck was on their side.
Tanner and Orion will probably only look at the tape for a few minutes before they’ll be all over each other. The two of them only know one way to relieve stress.
The cold air smacks my face and whips back my damp hair as I leave the arena. Even though it’s not even noon,the sky is dark with heavy rain clouds. I tug up my scarf to block the chill.
Vann’s only a few yards ahead of me, but I don’t try to catch up with him. I have a feeling he’ll change course if he sees me, and I want to know where he’s going, because it’s definitely not the cafeteria.
He hangs left, headed toward the entrance to the Olympic Village. What the hell is he up to?
There’s a nervous bounce in his steps, and he’s muttering to himself under his breath. He reminds me of the bush babies I watched a documentary on last year. All big eyes and jumpy excitement. Vann’s so single focused, he doesn’t even notice me.
After leaving the village, he walks into a little shop that sells souvenirs. I give up my subterfuge and follow him inside.
