“Well, that’s a good question,” Skylar says. “Hopefully, we get all of that information very soon. If he’s been fucking people on the side, that’ll need to end immediately.”
I want to ask Sky if we can kill them, but people on airplanes get funny about overhearing shit like that. Swallowing back the question, I get up once it’s safe to and grab my carryon to get off the plane. Neither Sky nor I checked any baggage, so we walk straight to the ride share area outside of the airport.
Our car was leased in Los Angeles since we didn’t need anything permanent before. We returned the car yesterday, and we’ll be shopping for a new one as soon as possible. Having todepend on ride shares isn’t really a great option. Not only is it difficult for staying under the radar in public, it’s terrible for security as well.
The puck bunnies aren’t just women, men also flirt outrageously. I just don’t want to deal with it, and we hate being late to shit.
Our lives are going to be in limbo for a few weeks to a month at least, and that’s part of what we sign up for when we get traded. The chips will fall where they may, but I hate living out of a suitcase while I’m in my home city.
“I got a line on a good real estate agent that works with the players here,” Skylar continues once we’re walking through the doors of the hockey rink.
We don’t have much time to get our asses to this meeting, and traffic was a bear. Our long legs eat up the distance across the large lobby, and Edna Rogers meets us halfway across.
“You’re just in time,” the PR manager says.
She’s really the person who keeps the team’s shit together and chaos director. That’s what I prefer to call these types of people, and no one can convince me differently. They have a hard job when shit hits the fan, and on some teams, that happens often.
“I’ll get you all set up with badges and key cards to grant you access after the meeting. However, the coach really wanted to make sure you were here for this team meeting. Thank you for fitting this into your schedule. In turn, if you need anything while you’re getting comfortable in Lakeview, please let me know.”
“Thank you, Miss Rogers,” I say politely. Skylar and I met her on a video call right after the decision was made and we were told the trade was a go. Our contracts were signed virtually, with just the right amount of haste that comes with these types of deals. “Please, lead the way.”
Bobbing her head, she turns and hurries down the hall in her high heels. I allow myself to admire her shoes for a moment before forcing myself to focus as we follow her. Koen is going to get a shock today.
I want to know if whatever he uses to keep himself from being able to smell alpha pheromones is used around the clock or just during games and events. I have a lot of unfettered questions about our omega, and very few answers.
Edna swipes her key card several times as she moves through the huge building, and I’m glad I’ll be attached to Skylar’s hip. Otherwise, I’ll definitely be lost eighty percent of the time.
My head spins as Edna opens the door to a conference room, and she pops her head inside. Oh shit, I’m going to finally see Koen again. I’ve been so wrapped up in getting here, it’s hitting me that he’s just past this door.
“Sir, I have two more people to join you,” she says, opening the door wider to allow us inside. Under her breath, she adds, “Good luck.”
As people glare in our direction, I imagine that we’re gonna need it.
“Hello, everyone,” I say as we step inside. “Our apologies for being late. We just stepped off a plane.”
People take in our suitcases, and a couple of the players look sympathetic. This kind of upheaval happens often, and we’re all reminded to be prepared for anything. I’m definitely the best option as their new goalie. I know I’m really fucking good, and Skylar’s skills make us a two for one special.
Koen, on the other hand, flicks his eyes up toward us before he pales. The omega wasn’t expecting to see us. Coach and everyone else has been keeping this trade under wraps. The team may know that two players cleaned out their cubbies to move on. But they don’t know we’re replacing them.
Skylar and I are springing a huge surprise on the team, and it could very well explode in our faces. I have to admit that Koen looks fine in a pair of joggers and a sweatshirt with the team’s logo. His blonde hair is slicked back, and his Caribbean blue eyes are wide with surprise.
Hello, sexy. Your daddies are home. He may not be ready to accept us, and that’s going to have to be something I’ll have to deal with for now. Yet, I hate when his eyes drop to stare obsessively at a speck of dust on the carpet.
Fuck, I want him to look at me!
“Come in,” Coach Weightman says impatiently, waving us in. “Boys, I’d like you to meet your new teammates. This is Rhodes Franz and Skylar Reynolds. They are newly traded and just arrived from Los Angeles.”
Edna steps inside as well to watch, and the click of the door as it shuts sounds loud.
“You may have noticed that Handler and Manchester’s cubbies have been cleared out,” Coach says. “This trade happened quickly, and it’s an attempt to help level out some of our developmental issues on the team. Handler was competent, but he has some growing to do as a newer goalie. We wish him the best of luck with the Angels,” Coach says.
“And Manchester?” one of the men asks.
We’re going to have our work cut out for us. This is an icy welcome at best. I know this is Minnesota, but fuck me, this is rough. The Midwest welcome is not happening.
“Manchester was a necessary cut for Skylar Reynolds,” Coach grunts. “These two come as a pair or not at all.”
“Must be nice to be able to negotiate like that,” someone else mutters.
