“He is. I ran into his team early on in my career, but ignored his existence. I played viciously at those games, and that’s when I learned how to deal with all the anger and anxiety inside ofme,” I say. “I’m an anxious penguin, so I’m sorry in advance, Rhodes.”
“Meh. I like knowing how you feel,” he says. “You’re so closed off, it’s nice to walk in your shoes.”
I’m not sure what to say to that. My eyes burn slightly with emotion. Even knowing he feels my feelings, I polish off my water to get some relief from them.
I’m a mess. Between being presented with a nest, to planning out the layout, to talking with my alpha, it’s all been a lot to process.
“Since we’re already giving Rhodes’ card a work out, let’s go hang on the couch and buy some furniture for the house on me,” Skylar says.
I appreciate that he’s not pushing for more information about Coach Foster. I need to start letting go of the old man’s control over me. The world isn’t always safe, which is a fact of life.
However, I don’t need to allow him to live rent free in my head any longer. Telling someone else about what happened helps. Coach Foster was in the wrong.
“Do you think your card is up to the task?” I tease Skylar. “I did some damage with Rhodes’ credit card.”
“It’s no more than I spend on clothes in a month,” Rhodes reassures me. “My corsets are expensive. I also need a panty fund if you’re going to keep ripping them off me.”
I don’t really remember doing that, and I blush furiously.
“I’ll contribute to the panty fund if I get to choose some of them,” I say in a show of courage. “I also have an idea for the couch. How do you feel about those modular fluffy ones?”
“Sounds fun,” Skylar says. “And comfortable. I want something I can sink into and nap while you and Rhodes watch a movie.”
“Naps are good,” I chuckle, watching as he efficiently puts food away and Rhodes cleans up.
They work around each other effortlessly, almost as if it’s a dance. It shows how long they’ve been together. Funny enough, it helps me feel better about living with them.
They’re not serial killers or criminals, but instead, just normal hockey players.
“I’m ready for you to spend my money,” Skylar says, pulling off the apron as we walk out of the kitchen.
“You need to put on pants or I won’t be able to concentrate,” I grumble
I need to seriously chill and enjoy getting to know my alphas. They're intense, and it’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. There’s nothing wrong with that.
Right?
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
RHODES
“There are puppies,” I hiss excitedly.
Sky and I are starting the rounds of our charity and publicity work with Koen today, and I’m a little nervous. We’ve been going to practice, played a game last night, and things have been going well at home so far. Koen even slept in our bed the past few nights, but I’m not sure if that’s out of resignation or not.
Skylar told him he’d probably wake up tied to the bed if he didn’t sleep with us, so that probably influenced Koen’s decision.
The animal shelter has all kinds of animals, but I’ve never been a cat person. They seem to see me as a predator due to my size, and immediately attack as if they’re trying to assert dominance. Come on, little dude! They weigh maybe fifteen pounds with all their fluff, and they’re trying to throw down.
No, thank you.
I’ll avoid cats at all costs.
“We’re not bringing any home,” Skylar warns as we walk up to the front desk.
Ha, we’ll see!
Koen smothers a smile, and I can feel a co-conspirator glow coming through our bond. It’s amazing to me how much he holds back. His emotions are very locked down, which is why it’s so difficult to figure out what he’s feeling.
