Finding the Forward, Part One (HockeyVerse)

Chapter Twenty-Five

Verity

“ C atch.” Mercy threw a spicy cheese puff at Kaiko, who caught it in her mouth. Jack cheered them on. Sonny caught everything on his phone for the Maimers’ socials.

We’d been sitting in the airport for hours, waiting for our plane to be fixed. Because this was something just for the rookies, we were flying commercial instead of taking the Maimers’ plane.

Being so behind schedule for the very busy Rookie Smashdown weekend made me anxious.

Yesterday had been Gratitude Day: a day where friends and families gathered together to share in each other’s company and give thanks for what they had. I’d always liked the harvest festival. Usually, our house was full of students with no place to go.

This year, I was the student with no place to go.

Well, that wasn’t true. Rusty had invited us over. Other Maimers had been there, too. I’d brought homemade biscuits, cake pops shaped like pumpkins, and sweet potato pie with leaf cutouts on the crust.

Last night, Mercy’s friends came over and I’d taught them to fry chicken and we played board games until way too late.

Okay, I’d talked to Grif on the phone until way too late. Grif and the guys had gone to AJ’s sister’s farm. I love the pictures of the baby mini cows with adorable little girls that I presumed were AJ’s nieces.

So, here I was. Tired, cranky, and stressed.

My phone kept going off, distracting me from the paper I needed to finish. Finals were in a couple of weeks, and I had a lot to do before winter break.

The Maimers’ assistant coach paced in the corner, talking angrily on her phone. Finally, she hung up. “Come on, team.”

Without argument, everyone grabbed their gear and followed her through the airport. Their assistant coach was a former crusher for the Boston Blockingjays and had grown up in a military family. One didn’t argue with her.

She walked fast and had presence, as people parted for her and the three rookies in matching Maimers’ tracksuits. Sonny and one of the assistant trainers in their team polos, and me in my Team Mom sweatshirt, struggled to keep up with them.

We marched out to a tram with our checked luggage already on board. My breath came out in little frozen puffs in the late November air, and snow dusted the ground.

Burrr. I should have brought a heavier coat. But it wouldn’t be this cold in Glitter City.

The tram took us to the private part of the airport. A large jet with the Knights' logo sat on the tarmac.

“Quick, let’s get your stuff on the plane,” Coach said as the players handed off their luggage to the waiting person in the orange vest.

“We’re stealing the Knight’s plane?” Kaiko appraised the jet as she popped her gum.

“I think the Knights are on it,” I replied. They hadn’t left yet? I knew they were playing the Rollers tonight, then going on to another game before returning to New York.

“Come on.” Coach marched us up the stairs and onto the plane.

My phone buzzed again. I glanced at it and grimaced.

Also, while Dean and Grif were on that plane, so was Jonas– who I hadn’t seen since that night in the kitchen.

“Why are you nervous? If you’re worried about what the team will think, fuck them. You're an alpha. As Creed always tells you, you’re allowed to do what you please as long as you don’t hurt anyone. Did you two have a fight?” Mercy hissed as we brought up the rear, since I took stairs slowly.

“No. Things are fine.” I shook my head as we made our way up the stairs.

Everything had been great in the couple days he’d been back since the last away stint. I’d even made Dean bread rolls shaped like pumpkins.

“Move, Steve. It was approved,” Coach said from inside the plane.

“I don’t like disrupting my players’ routine,” Coach Atkins, the Knights head coach, grumbled, his suit-clad form blocking the aisle, as he scowled.

“I don’t want my rookies missing out. There’s only seven of us. You have the room.” She scowled back. If I were a betting person, I’d count on the Maimers coach winning the scowling contest.

“Barely. The empty seats are in the back. The players already have their preferred routines, so don’t be disturbing them,” Coach Atkins replied, eyeing us disapprovingly. “Seven? I thought there were six.”

“We have Team Mom with us,” our coach said as we crowded into the front of the plane.

Coach Atkins looked baffled. “Why do you have a team mom?”

“Professor Mami, you can sit with me!” Carlos enthusiastically waved at me from his seat.

“Team Mom, did you bring us snacks?” Clark added from his place across the aisle Carlos.

Coach Atkins rubbed his temples and sighed.

Mercy elbowed me and grinned. “See? The Knights love you.”

“If I'd have known we were hijacking your plane, I’d have made treats.” I waved back. While I had cake pops in my backpack, they weren’t for them.

An unamused flight attendant appeared. “Could everyone please sit down? We need to depart.”

“Maimers, move to the back,” our coach told us, barreling past Coach Atkins.

Coach Atkins stepped aside, sighing. The players were mostly sitting two by two in plush seats that were spread out so they could recline completely. Though a few had their own rows.

A giddy feeling swept through me as I spied Grif. Third row back, left side, window seat.

Dean sat beside him. Oh? Maybe now that they were on the same team it didn’t matter. It could have been a finals thing, like his scruffy beard.

Across the aisle was Jonas, with the window seat empty. Behind all those seats was another section that wasn’t as spacious. It was still so much nicer than most planes–which was where Coach led the Maimers. It was the opposite of the skate smash planes, where the staff sat up front and the players in the back.

I waved. Grif waved back. Dean waved both hands. Both wore suits and looked downright lickable.

As I passed them, I reached out and squeezed Grif.

“Sit with me.” Dean tried to pull me onto his lap. Jonas eyed me from his seat.

“Please take a seat so we can leave,” the flight attendant pressed.

I pushed myself up off Dean’s lap, leaning onto my crutch. “I’ll visit you both later. Gotta do what Coach says.”

“Ver, there’s a seat for you back here,” Mercy called.

A whine echoed through the plane. A heart wrenching, soul slicing, omega whine. Every alpha’s focus riveted toward Dean, me included, as it awakened an ingrained need to fix whatever was wrong.

“I’ll sit by the window. Sit here, Verity.” Jonas shot up from his aisle seat, giving Dean a look that said I’ve got you.

All eyes in the plane burned into me as I attempted to project confidence. I’d love to sit with them, but I didn’t want to cross Coach Atkins.

“I should sit in the back with the others,” I whispered, looking back toward the rookies, who were all making sit with them motions.

“No. Sit with Dean. The goalie gets what he wants,” Elias, the team captain, assured. Several other players nodded.

“He’s right. But can you look at pictures of my pothos plant later? It doesn’t look so good,” Jean-Paul, the other goalie, asked in his thick accent.

“Of course, I don’t want your girlfriend getting upset with you again,” I laughed. Both of them were gone so much I should suggest a plant-sitter.

Dean gave me an expectant gaze and my heart tightened. I looked toward Mercy. Ultimately, I was her chaperone.

“We’re on the same plane. I’ll be fine .” Mercy rolled her eyes.

“I demand you sit with us. Lucky insists,” Dean clamored, arm around Grif. They looked adorable snuggled up together.

“Lucky insists! Lucky insists!” Carlos chanted, with Clark and some others joining in.

“I need everyone to sit . I don’t care where, as long as it’s not a lap.” The flight attendant gave Dean a sharp look.

Coach Atkins shook his head and returned to his seat near the back, muttering about being steamrolled by omega goalies and pretend cats.

“Let me take your things. Overhead or with you?” Jonas took my backpack.

“With me is fine. I have work to do. But this can go up.” I handed him my crutch.

“I’ve got it. Please sit. We need to leave.” The flight attendant put it in the overhead compartment. Frustration tinged her scent.

I was about to sit when I noticed everyone around us was watching. Oh!

“Hey, Lucky, sit with me. I’ve missed you.” I acted like I was scooping something up off the seat and held it close. Can’t sit on Lucky.

My phone buzzed.

Mercy

We’re working, no airplane sex please.

My cheeks warmed, remembering that flight with Grif. Not that my sister knew about that. Before I could put my phone away, another message popped up.

Mumsy

You’re heartless.

Anxiety spiked through me as I sat down, pretending to place Lucky on my lap. I had no idea how they’d unblocked themselves from my phone and started a group chat. It had been going off all morning, pelting me with mean messages for daring to question the cows not being bought.

“Are you avoiding me, Little Alpha? Haven’t seen you since your date with Grif.” Jonas buckled himself in, giving me a pointed look.

“I’m busy , Jonas. Just because I haven’t sought you out doesn’t mean I’m avoiding you,” I huffed, securing my belt. It was exhausting trying to keep up with all my classes and research while doing everything I needed for Mercy.

“Then why are you so nervous?” he goaded. Like all the hockey players, he wore a suit, though his jacket was off. His button-down had the sleeves rolled up, revealing plenty of tattoos.

Between his clothes, his piercings, and that scar on his jaw, he looked like a delectable, if slightly dangerous, morsel ready to be devoured. Focus.

Without answering, I opened the Let’s Shame Verity group chat on my phone and shoved it at him. I glanced over at Grif and Dean as they swapped seats.

Odd. I thought Dean wanted to sit by me. But Grif could be quite persuasive.

“Hi.” Grif reached across the aisle and squeezed my hand.

I squeezed it back. “Hey, Tiger. No more sitting solo?”

“Nope. Turns out my lucky charm was sitting with someone I care about.” He gave me a smoldering look.

Smooth, Grif.

“Are you going to be okay? Did you take anything for the flight?” Grif added. “I’m right here.”

“I will. Do you have any water? I forgot my water bottle at home,” I asked him.

Grif handed me a water bottle as Dean shot me a concerned look.

“She’s a nervous flier,” Grif explained. “I’m right here.”

Not having alpha-blockers when flying was hard. Especially when flying with mostly alphas. Though what my doctor prescribed helped. I’d started laying off the de-scenting spray if I was just on campus or with the team, which didn’t really help either.

Me, Dean, and Grif chatted softly over the aisle as the plane took off. As we reached altitude, the flight attendant took drink orders. Leaning out, I looked down the aisle to see if I could see my sister.

“She’s fine,” Dimitri told me, headphones on.

Carlos passed out pink under eye masks. Good idea, I had some in my bag. A bunch of people had game buddies. They probably played each other in go-goKart, a racing game, while flying. There were a lot of team members I didn’t know, too.

A burst of laughter in the back caught my attention, one being my sister’s. Good.

Jonas handed my phone back to me. “They’re all fuckers.”

“They’re excellent at making me feel like shit. Is it wrong to think that if they were going to use my cow money for hospital bills they should tell me? At the very least so that I could let the farm know. I feel awful about it.” The parents always messed with my head.

My little brother Chance had gotten really sick around that same time, and he needed something not covered by insurance. I didn’t mind; I just wanted to be informed.

Jonas shook his head. “No. It’s not wrong. I’m sure AJ’s sister understands. She loves the mini cows, and AJ’s nieces have adopted them. I saw them yesterday.”

“Oh, good. They were too stinking cute to pass up.” I was pretty proud of that, and the goats, too.

“Are the parents coming to see Mercy play?” He glanced back to where the three Maimers’ rookies sat.

“No.” I shook my head. “But my older brother and sister are already there.”

Mercy felt let down given how big this was for her. I was disappointed in them, too. She was seventeen and still needed her parents, regardless of how they felt about her life choices.

The flight attendant brought our drinks, and I sipped mine.

“You know I’m not mad at you, right? I’m just looking out for my pack. You need to believe in yourself, Verity.” Jonas’ voice was quiet as he took a drink.

“I’m trying to be the alpha Grif needs.” I’d had several long conversations with the alphas in my life that weren’t assholes. Yeah, I’ve got this.

“Good. You sent cows to AJ’s office? Now, that’s how you do it.” Jonas looked... proud. Then his expression grew serious. “You still have to fix things with him.”

“I know.” I bowed my head. It was my fault. I should’ve pressed to meet him.

Jonas took his fingers and tipped my chin up. “No.”

“Yes, Alpha Jonas.” I smirked, liking how that felt. Harder.

“Now that’s my little alpha.” He beamed as his mossy scent flared.

All the breath left my body. What was going on here?

Whatever it was, I liked it.

While some people might bristle at being called little alpha, I didn’t mind. Because compared to them, I was.

Also, something about Jonas adding my to his usual little alpha did things to my lady parts. Things they rarely did around alphas.

“How do you even find baby cows? Do you have some southern girl group chat, where you trade pie recipes, ask what to wear to the cookout, and suggest places to bury the bodies?” he asked. “The cow farm belongs to someone’s cousin’s mate’s brother.”

“Someone’s mate’s parents, actually,” I replied, hiding a smile. Right, he’d lived in my home state for awhile when he played for the Lightning Bugs.

Jonas gave me a look, a single pierced eyebrow rising.

I shrugged. What happened in the group chat stayed in the group chat. Okay, it was mostly memes and selfies.

“Your tattoos are gorgeous. It tells a story, doesn’t it?” I changed the subject. The elaborate arm piece had many components, including a fairy and a beanstalk.

“Some of them do. One day, if you’re good, I’ll tell you.” His smirk returned.

“Hey, want to sit with Grif for a bit?” Dean leaned across Grif. “Later, I’d like to sit with you. Hoping for a shutout game again. The rolls were so good. What do I have to do to get more bread?” He gave me a saucy wink.

I laughed. “Just ask.”

Next, I planned to tackle sourdough, since that was Dean’s favorite.

“I’ll move. Though I do have a paper to work on,” I told them. It would be nice to snuggle with Grif for a little while.

Jonas pulled me toward him so our eyes met. His gaze held mine in a way only a dominant alpha could. He wasn’t demanding my submission, but he wanted my attention. Something about the predatory look in his amber eyes sent shivers up my spine, not out of fear, but because I liked it.

That pierced tongue flickered.

What would it feel like to be kissed by Jonas and his pierced tongue?

I’d probably never know. But oh he was a sexy beast.

“Little Alpha, next time you want to play with my omega, give me the courtesy of asking me to watch. It doesn’t matter if Grif’s there. I might not take it, but I get an invitation. This is non-negotiable until I tell you otherwise. Understood?” His voice lowered to an almost whisper, yet still teemed with alpha authority.

I inhaled sharply. He knew about my little video-chat blowjob session? But I hardly expected Dean to keep it a secret.

The idea of Jonas watching me with Grif and Dean made me rub my thighs together. I wasn’t averse to being watched.

For an alpha to watch me please his omega? That could be incredibly sexy.

I nodded, keeping eye contact, a smile spreading across my face. “As you wish, Alpha Jonas.”