“Oh my God, we’re going to get to go on double dates! As soon as you’re ready to let the world see you, we’ll go out and make a big deal of it. And we could offer a bit of cover, too, if you’re not ready for that. He’s Paxton’s brother, and we’re friends. We could totally all go out to dinner together if you want.”
I smile and roll my shoulders. “That would be really cool.”
Chapter Fifteen
RHETT
Paxton disappears the moment his gear is packed away and organized for the game, not bothering to chat with anyone at all today. Kane raises an eyebrow in question, but I just shrug. God knows he’s probably looking at more houses with Billie before the game tonight. Their rental expires just before Christmas, and it’s been hell trying to find enough time for them to actually settle on something a bit more permanent. Not to mention, he’s been spending every second he can trying to make this move less of a clusterfuck for her. So, realistically, I’m not even surprised chatting with the team has taken a backseat right now.
With a careless pass of the towel, I wipe away the last few drops of water from my hasty post-skate shower before they can drip onto my shoulders. Then I throw on the clean long sleeve t-shirt and jeans I always keep in my game bag just in case, moving the sweats and undershirt I’d worn into the arena into the open space. The faintest bit of orchid wafts over me as I do, and I have to swallow back a groan.
“We’re going out tonight,” Kane says, crossing his arms.
“I’ll pass.” I drop my chest pads onto the bottom of my locker before pulling my phone from the upper shelf. I can’t help but smile like a fool when I see the text from Carys.
At the shop. Have an elopement tomorrow and need to get the bouquet done.
Can I keep you company before I have to report tonight?
There’s a long pause where the dots appear and then disappear. Nerves tighten my stomach like I’m a damn teenager. Is it too soon to want to do something more informal? Fuck, I don’t know the rules for any of this. Are there even standard expectations for when you find your scent-matched Omega? I carefully breathe through my nose, talking myself off the ledge, desperate to not have a scent slip that’ll let all the other guys know just how out of my head I am right now.
Carys is my scent match. We’re built to need each other, crave and desire the other. We’ve even gone on a date—and it was fucking fantastic. Am I supposed to wait a certain amount of days before wanting to see her again? I don’t think I care either way. I’ve spent the better part of three hours watching how her lips form around a wine glass and her chest flushes any time she laughs. I woke up to her splayed across my chest like the best damn blanket in existence. Not to mention I also now have the intimate, satisfying knowledge of what it’s like to have my face between her thighs, feeling her fingers scratch my neck and shoulders while she whimpers out an orgasm. Asking to hang out before my report time tonight shouldn’t be any big deal at all, especially given that my future sister-in-law and her have become fast friends.
Maybe I should make it clearer I’m not expecting anything? Or make it more casual? Fuck, I don’t know. I send another text.
I’ll bring you a surprise.
The dots appear again.
“Wasn’t a question, man,” Kane says, coming up beside me just as Carys texts back.
Ok. But Billie is here for another hour so no wild ideas.
Fucking hell. Just one date, and she already knows me so damn well. Even with the warning, the fantasy of kneeling behind her while she tries to arrange flowers settles heavier in my mind. My dick gives an impatient twitch. My scent pulses out from me.
I guess I’ll survive. Be there soon.
Kane’s eyes widen as he reads my screen. I shove the phone away and grab my car keys. I level a glare, and whatever chirp was on his lips dies.
“Wasn’t a question,” he repeats. “We’re going out. You need to blow off some steam especially with the way Utah gets under your skin, man.”
“Marilyn won’t like?—”
“I won’t like what?”
I flinch, and Kane curses. Marilyn strides through the locker room like she does it every day of the week, her hair pulled back and her eyes lined in a dark brown that makes her look even more dominating. She doesn’t even hesitate as the last couple guys come back from the showers, nothing but towels around their hips.
Kane doesn’t back down.
“You won’t like that we’re going out after the game tonight.”
Marilyn purses her lips before shaking her head. “As long as the team’s lawyer doesn’t have to get involved, I’ll keep my mouth shut this time. Rhett, I need to speak with you.”
My stomach sinks to the damn floor. All at once, fear coils through me like I’m a teenager getting caught sneaking out. Did someone see me taking Carys out and I’m about to get reamed for it? I hadn’t thought any of the people near her apartment paid us any attention. Fuck, is there a media shitstorm happening right now about it all that’s making Carys panic? I try to tamp down the possessive growl that climbs my throat. Marilyn turns, gesturing for Ares’s office. It’s then I notice the unmarked folder tucked under her other arm.
Ohfuck. How had I forgotten in the whirlwind of the last week that she’s trying to set me up with some Omega to make my image better for the media?
I force a swallow to wet my suddenly dry mouth.
