“Why have you been in the closet, Koen?” a man with a pinched expression asks.
“Being an omega in this sport is difficult as it is,” I reply. “Straight people don’t walk around shouting they’re straight from the rooftops, do they? I mean, do you?”
“Ah no. Of course not,” he says as I nod.
“I have been focused on my career, dating has taken a back seat until very recently, and I am an intensely private person,” I say. “Not everyone is open with every thought they have. Instead, I let my stick and blade do the talking for me. It’s worked well up until now. The difference is, I have very scary alphas to back me up now.”
Skylar pretends to bare his teeth and everyone leans back, knowing better than to piss him off.
“I believe that’s enough,” Skylar says. “I plan to take my pack home, and I hope we’ll all go back to minding our own business.”
With that mic drop, we step away from the podium and security assists us out of the room. Rhodes doesn’t call him “Daddy” without good reason.
Skylar doesn’t allow people to fuck with those he deems to be his, and I’m now one of those people.
CHAPTER TWENTY
RHODES
“Hi baby,” I croon as Princess Sunny jumps at the side of my bed.
Scooping her up in my hand, I stare at her before climbing out of bed.
“Let’s head to the potty before you explode,” I decide, walking to the pee pad in the bathroom.
She’s still a baby, so I’m noticing sometimes she wants someone to cheer her on as she goes. At least, that’s what I think. Placing her down on the pee pad, I wait patiently as she goes to the bathroom, whispering praises while I change out the pad once she’s done.
Throwing out the trash, I wash my hands and brush my teeth, ready to start the day. A tied up blow job isn’t going to happen this morning, but that doesn’t mean there’s not a chance of it later.
“Let’s go downstairs so I can feed you and I can make breakfast,” I say, picking her up to tuck her body into my chest.
Princess Sunny sighs, licking my face as I leave Sky and Koen to sleep a little longer. We went home after the press conference yesterday, but we need to order some home gym equipment for the basement.
I don’t trust Princess Sunny on the stairs without us, so I put up a gate so she wouldn’t get stuck when we aren’t home. The vet at the shelter said she’s barely four months old, and she’ll need supervised training.
So gates at both ends of the stairs are important. I also spoke to Edna about a dog walker when we have longer days, and she gave me a list of vetted people for me to interview. That’s one of the things I’m going to do between practice today and the game. Edna promised she’d hang out with Princess while I’m on the ice in the meantime.
Even though I’m unhappy Mr. Blue Douchebag got his payday, I know Edna couldn’t have done anything differently. These things happen, because the paps are unrepentant about their bag. I still dislike photographers who don’t see us as people, and I doubt I’ll ever think any differently.
Getting Princess situated, I talk to her as I cook breakfast.
“You’re going to hang out with Edna today,” I tell her. “I might let you play on the ice first before everyone is out there to see what you think. I’m more comfortable with you playing on our ice rink before going outside to play in the snow.”
“Puppies play in the snow all the time,” Koen says, leaning against the wall as he watches me with hooded eyes. “Short periods with supervision is fine.”
“She’s so little,” I say with a pout, enjoying his lazy smile.
“Don’t burn your eggs,” he reminds me as I get lost in how gorgeous he is.
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” I mumble, hurrying to check them.
Thank god they’re fine.
“Hi, sweet girl,” Koen croons, sitting on the floor to play with our puppy. “Is Rhodes going to protect you from everything? Yes he is. Oh my goodness, you’re just so pretty.”
“You have us all speaking puppy baby talk,” Skylar says, chuckling as he comes into the room. “Breakfast smells good.”
“I hope so,” I say, finishing up. “I’m getting distracted by all the man candy playing with our puppy.”
