“What?” Pierce’s voice is sharp, like he knows instantly something is wrong.
“Just… more people than I thought.”
Pierce’s jaw clenches. Liam’s eyes narrow between us again.
“You want to go somewhere else?” Liam asks, softening his voice.
I shake it off and fix my face into what I hope is a pleasant smile. “No. This is fine.” I’m not sure Liam believes me. To prove I’m fine, I peel my coat off and drape it over my arm.
I scan the room again, this time noticing there are omegas scattered throughout the space too. Diamonds glitter at their throats and wrists, their hair and makeup flawless. My hands smooth down the dark jeans Tia lent me, and I tug self-consciously at the low-cut top that seemed daring in her apartment but now feels painfully inadequate. She promised me I looked fantastic, but measured against these polished, perfect omegas, I look like I wandered in from the street.
A server in black pants, a white shirt, and a skinny tie takes our coats. With a beat of panic, I reach for my coat and pull my phone out of my pocket. “Sorry,” I mutter to the server who gives me a sweet smile. I wedge it into my back pocket. Bella would have a heart attack seeing it but girl jeans don’t have real front pockets.
“Drink?” Liam asks, his voice cutting through my spiral.
“God, yes,” I breathe, grateful for something to do with my hands.
He nods and steps away toward the bar, leaving me momentarily alone. Without his bulk beside me, I feel exposed. An alpha nearby glances my way, his eyes traveling slowly down my body. I look away quickly, pretending to be fascinated by the ice rink below.
“Pierce!” a booming voice cuts across the room. A mountain of a man. He holds his arms wide, like he’s going to hug us all at once. “You don’t find your crusty old man, but find your omega. Much better.”
“She’s not mine.”
The man raises an eyebrow. He thinks Pierce is lying? I’m confused now too. I thought a scent match was a two-way thing. Maybe it is all my imagination.
“Ash, this is Alexei Volkov.” Liam is back and hands me a coke. “He retired from the Scorpions a few years back. Biggest supporter of the team.”
“Only when we are winning.” He winks at me. “When not winning?” He shrugs.
“They’re winning now. Two more games and they’ll be in the playoffs.” The most stunning omega I’ve ever seen in my life steps next to Alexei and wraps herself around his arm like she’s going to climb him right here. It’s an omega move to claim her territory.
“Sandra,” Alexei says, introducing his omega and then kissing her on top of her head.
“This is Ash. Friends with Beckett,” Liam says.
“Look, Pierce.” Sandra turns into Alexei, giving us all an eyeful of her ass. “All the deadlifts you make me do are paying off. I can just picture how I’m going to rock a bikini this summer.”
I feel itchy under my skin, like Sandra is about to climb Pierce too. And I’m not having that. I don’t move closer to Pierce, but I do thread my arm through his. I feel him stiffen, but he doesn’t scrape me off. I shoot out my other arm like I’m checking my non-existent wristwatch.
“You’ve got about five months or so. I’m sure the effort is going to pay off eventually.”
Alexei raises an eyebrow and stares at where my hand connects me to Pierce. A wide smile splits his face.
“Come.” He gestures for me, holding out his hand. “Take the table by the front. Best seat to watch game.”
I let go of Pierce and hesitantly reach out my hand. Liam claims it instead and pulls me toward the table. This only seems to make Alexei more excited. He holds out a high stool for me.
“Beckett is very good. Very fast. Best player on team.” Alexei’s pride is evident. “Liam is a good bo,y too. Maybe too smart. And Pierce?” He leans in close for just a second, his lips close to brushing my ear. “Pierce will take care of you. In all ways.”
Before I can shrug away, Alexei straightens and makes a wide gesture.
“You watch our boy win. Drink my drinks. Eat my food.” He reaches for Sandra and sweeps her away to circulate the room.
“Alexei’s such a dick.” Liam chuckles. “But half the sponsorships Beckett has are through his introductions.”
Someone shouts Liam’s name from across the room. Three alphas in suits are beckoning him over.
“The game will start soon. Will you be alright for a bit?” Liam asks me. I smile and nod, rather than clinging to his arm and begging him not to leave me alone.
