I guess I can understand. Once she finds out, then she has to face the reality of it. If someone messed with her pills, then she has to confront what that means and who might want to hurt her. Right now, not knowing, she can still pretend it was just a fluke and that no one’s out to get her.
Is this how she dealt with all of our harassment back in high school? Head down, ignore it, and hope it goes away? Maybe I should have pushed back more, but if my omega wants a distraction, that’s what she’ll get. I’ll do anything to show her that her needs are important to me.
Fuck, maybe being out on the ice wasn’t the best date idea. It might remind her of her performance and the pressure of being an omega at the Olympics.
But before I can second-guess my decision any further, the door swings open. A gruff, grey-haired security guard greets us with a silent head nod and an open palm.
“What are we doing here?” Raven whispers as I use a hand on the small of her back to lead her inside.
“You’ll see.” I smile at her before slipping the guard a stack of euros.
“Be out by ten,” he says in broken English.
Taking Raven’s hand, I head down the hall. Foster follows a step behind, a silent sentinel. Wonder what it would take to get the man to crack a smile.
The lights in the locker room switch on automatically as we enter. As much as I’d love to push Raven against a locker and make her come on my fingers, I keep up our pace and head straight through. Most of the lights in the arena are off, the empty stands hidden in darkness. But there are lights overthe cold ice.
I lead Raven to a bench, then pull a pair of curling shoes from my bag. I really hope they’re the right size.
“You need special shoes?” Raven asks.
Foster stands over her shoulder watching. I turn the shoes over and show Raven the soles. “One is smooth for sliding, and the other is bumpy for grip. It’ll give you more control on the ice.”
I set a second pair on the bench and look up at Foster. “I had to guess at your size. Hopefully, they work.”
The massive alpha looks surprised that I thought to include him. He glances at the shoes, then shakes his head. “I’ll watch.”
Raven’s expression drops for a beat before she forces a smile and slips off her boots. She’s wearing socks with little bananas on them. It’s both perfect for her and unexpected. Athletic tape peeks out the top of one of her socks, and I suddenly second-guess this date all over again.
I curse, running a hand over my head. “I forgot about your ankle. Are you gonna be okay doing this?”
“Yeah, it’s fine.” She smiles up at me. “It barely hurts at all anymore.”
I study her, trying to figure out if she’s really okay, then glance at Foster for confirmation.
He nods his head as if to say,‘go ahead.’
I lower to my knees, pick up Raven’s delicate foot, and help her into the first shoe. She sucks in a sharp breath as my fingers brush her ankle.
“Okay?” I ask.
“Yeah, it’s just… um…” Her cheeks shine a rosy red, and she won’t meet my eyes. “Your fingers are cold.”
I grin, feeling exactly how turned on she is through the bond, and knowing she’s not cold at all.
Once we’ve both got our gripper shoes on, I help her to her feet.
The security guard left some stones and three brooms out for us just like I’d asked. When Raven and I step onto the sheet, Foster hangs back. I feel Raven’s disappointment, but I have to admit I’m grateful for the chance to have a moment alone with her. I give the other alpha a tip of my chin. He returns it, a moment of understanding passing between us.
“We won’t be playing a real game.” I pick up a broom and hand it to Raven. “But I’ll go over the basics, and we’ll throw a few stones.” I use my foot to slide a stone closer to the hack.
“How do you know I haven’t played before? I could already know the basics,” Raven says, a note of teasing in her voice.
“Do you?”
“No.” She laughs. “I was horribly confused at the game.”
I smile, eager to show her everything I love about curling. “I know it’s not the most exciting date, but… this is a big part of our lives. It felt important to show you.”
