Oh, look. I can see a face now, though it’s a little busted up. Julian Londyn may be a touch homophobic. I understand that everyone has different upbringings, yet I’m not even pushing how flamboyant I can get. Leaving my corset vest semi open, I put on my shoes with a sigh.
“Maybe getting drinks is a bad idea,” I mutter. “We’re not in LA anymore, and I’m not in the mood to get in a fight because of this stupid thing.”
I begin to pop open the fastenings of my corset vest angrily, and ignore the burning behind my eyes. Fuck, it’s been a long goddamned time since I’ve let anyone make me feel small about my clothing choices. Purring and growls begin to build in the locker room and someone grabs my hands.
“Woah, Julian fucked up,” Jaxson says. “I also didn’t mean anything by my observation. That was more a small town boy issue on my part. I grew up very sheltered, and it’s refreshing that you give zero fucks about what the world thinks. You’re making it easier for others to be themselves in the league. We also can’t have our goalie cry. We’ll have to all beat the shit out of Julian and then he’ll have to ride the bench the rest of the season.”
“Fuck,” Julian groans. “I’m sorry, man. I don’t have the sense my mama gave me.”
Julian’s words make my lips curl up and I blow out a cleansing breath.
“Alright, we’ll see how one drink treats me,” I sigh. “Where are we going anyway, Skylar?”
I honestly haven’t been paying attention to the plan he made. I typically have my calendar managed by Skylar because I’ll forget things otherwise.
“Somewhere not homophobic,” he grumbles, fixing my corset vest and pulling the cords to my specifications. “There’s a sports bar not far away that the guys like to go to. It seems to be pretty chill. I’ve been told no one bats an eye at how well dressed they are after a game.”
“The people there like to chat about the game after. There are some puck chasers, but Skylar’s snarl will make anyone think twice about approaching you, man or woman,” Olsson says, popping his head into the room. “Are we almost ready?”
There’s a bunch of nods of agreement as we hustle out, and Olsson walks beside me.
“A few guys went ahead to grab tables, including our captain,” he explains nonchalantly.
I find myself smiling as I push away the unpleasantness from earlier. Olsson shakes his head as we walk, and I know I look insane. I just want to be able to talk to Koen without him running out like the buttplug in his asshole is on fire.
It’s enough to give me a complex and make me think I smell bad. I even sniff myself as I get into the jeep with Skylar, my heavy coat wrapped around me.
“You don’t smell bad,” he teases me. “What was all that in the locker room?”
“Ugh, I don’t know. It just hit me in the face all of a sudden that not everyone is tolerant about who I am,” I sigh. “We moved without thinking about how intolerant people can be of my special brand of gay.”
“Did you see how fast that shit got shut down?” he asks. “No one wants to see you hurt, and I don’t think Jaxson meantanything by his words. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Julian is a closeted gay, baby. Either way, we’ve been telling people to fuck themselves with rusty pipes for a long time.”
“I know,” I grumble. “My armor is a little dented tonight. This bullshittery with Koen is starting to fuck with me. I keep trying to ignore it, but it’s difficult.”
“So we get in his face tonight,” Sky smirks. “Find a way to sit on either side of him, lean over his body whenever possible. We need to stop taking it easy on him. Koen is running scared, and his mistake is thinking that’s enough to make us let up on him. Everyone knows you need to chase your prey when they break off from the herd.”
Huh. You know what? Fuck yeah.
“Okay,” I breathe, eyes watching the road as Skylar drives. Snow drifts in front of us as the car eats up the miles between us and our destination, and I force myself to relax.
It’s time to take a little more control away from our omega. The gloves are hitting the ice, Little Viking. Let’s see what you’re made of.
The bar seems like any other establishment, and I get out of the Jeep once Skylar parks. My coat keeps the cooler air away from me as Sky tugs me against him as we walk, and the rest of the players join us as we enter The Red Den.
There’s lots of character inside, with a long heavy deep cherry wood bar, couches along a back wall, and it’s still pretty busy. It takes a second for me to realize they’re all buzzing about the Cougars’ win, and it clicks as the room bursts into applause.
Our grins are wide as we accept the congratulations and well wishes, and we make our way to where all the couches are. It’s comfortable, just outside of where everyone is talking and laughing, and allows us to be able to hear each other.
My wayward Little Viking is sitting in an unprotected spot, and Skylar and I drop into the chairs on either side of him asthe team huddles together. Koen stiffens slightly before taking a long sip of his beer, showing that he’s been here for a little while.
After the information Fishman gave us on Koen, it’s clear that he may not regularly drink Moscow mules around his teammates. I’ll happily order a Cosmo and join him on a nontraditional drink. Fuck it, in for a penny, in for a pound.
“I’ll get drinks,” Olsson says easily. “Julian, come help. What does everyone want?”
“I’ll take a Cosmo, please,” I reply.
The rest of the group gives him their drink orders, and Olsson is unfazed as he walks across the room to the bar.
