Finding the Forward, Part One (HockeyVerse)

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Verity

O n the tiny screen of AJ’s phone, we watched as Freddie blocked another goal for Southern United as they played the New York Rockets. I made a face.

Freddie, my ex, was my least favorite player in all the domestic leagues.

“Wow, someone’s going to get a shutout game,” AJ remarked.

As we watched both the game on his phone, and the hockey game below us, he worked on his laptop. I watched as he moved around my investments to make them more in line with my financial goals. AJ was genuinely a nice guy, and I loved his fashion sense.

Grif told me to trust AJ, so I was. It had to be better than what I’d done on my own. The only reason I even had them was because at one point I’d gotten a tiny inheritance. So, I’d shoved it in an investment account so the parents couldn’t take it like they had my education fund. Which had mostly been money I’d earned while modeling as a teenager.

“Unfortunately, Dean won’t be so lucky.” I glanced at the ice below us. Dean dropped to the ice, stopping the puck. While he blocked this shot, the Portland Sasquatches had scored already.

I’d been hoping to see a stuffie shutout shootout, which was something involving stuffed toys when he got a shutout home game. Adorable.

However, the Portland Sasquatches were not here to play. Then again, Grif had ‘robbed’ them of the finals last year when they’d lost to the Hurricanes.

The Knights had also lost their last game, which had been quite the upset. So they had a lot to prove tonight.

“Blowjobs for shutouts is not a hockey thing that I have ever heard of.” AJ looked debonair as always, in a custom suit, sunglasses on his head, and a watch that cost more than a car gleaming on his wrist.

Well-dressed people filled AJ’s company box at the arena. Several people, including a woman in a red suit, gave me and my Knights hoodie the side-eye. I wore cute slacks and accessorized appropriately, though I had my usual sneakers.

I missed cute shoes.

“It’s a collegiate fútbol thing, at least in the division I played in,” I replied. “I made the horrible mistake of briefly dating my goalie arch-nemesis.”

Who was going to get that shutout blowjob from whoever was unfortunately dating him now.

The blonde alpha woman in the red suit strode over to us, giving me a once over. “Alex, I don’t believe I’ve met your new client.”

By the way the buttoned-up alpha looked down her pale, freckle-less nose at me, I clearly wasn’t AJ’s usual. Creed had told me that when I’d mentioned who AJ worked for.

“Oh, she’s with my packmate Grif. We’ll move down to the family section soon. Just trying to get a few things done first,” AJ said offhandedly, still working on his laptop.

Wow. His admission meant everything.

“Verity.” I held out a hand.

“Myra.” She shook, her handshake firm.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck, CBs at it again,” someone yelled from the other side. “International markets are going crazy.”

“Shit. Of course, they’re doing it after hours here.” Myra darted off to her laptop.

“Sorry, Princess. I’ll finish this in a moment. Compass BioTek is on the move, again.” AJ minimized the screen he’d been working on and pulled up another.

“Oh, is it the nano computer project?” Their implantable quantum microcomputers, in conjunction with their ultra-secure communication project, were going to revolutionize coronary medicine.

AJ looked up from his computer. “A project with Strauss Chemical. But we’re going to circle back to that.”

“Oh, that project.” They’d been working on it for ages. Mumsy worked for Strauss but not on that project.

Most everyone in the box was on their phones or computers. Those who looked like clients went to grab a drink or some food from the sumptuous buffet. A glance at the clock on the ice told me that the hockey game was about to go to intermission.

The fútbol game was still unfortunately a shutout for Southern United. Come on New York, you can score against Freddie. It’s not that hard. If you knew how to distract him.

I texted my big sister.

Me

I’m at a hockey game in a box full of finance bros and they’re all in a tizzy over Spencer’s announcement.

Grace

Why are you with finance bros?

Me

I’m with Grif’s other alpha. You haven’t met him yet.

I added a picture of AJ.

Grace

But wait there’s more? Holy international man of mystery.

Pretty much. He was a sexy, sexy man.

My screen lit up with a video call. Holding up my phone and catching AJ’s eye, I left the box for the hallway.

“Hi.” Grace, in a beautiful black and gold dress and giant sparkly earrings, popped up. Her blonde hair was curled, face made up.

“Hi!” I grinned back. From the background, she was at a function at the little event property her packmates owned on the outskirts of town. That was where she’d had her wedding and mating ceremony.

“Grif’s other alpha? I swear they get cuter and cuter. Anyone else you haven’t mentioned?” Grace smirked.

“No. Just those four. We’re in his company’s box watching the hockey game. Mercy’s out with Dare. One of their friends is giving a concert at the music conservatory. You’re at a dinner?” I eyed her designer dress. Grace and Spencer attended a ton of science and charity functions. They were the social ones of the pack.

The others, her scent match included, would be happy if they never had to make nice with people in public.

“Yes. The announcement’s nothing wild, just that new series of quick tests.”

“I figured as much. Pretty dress. Ferrell?” I’d done a couple of their shows. I missed doing runway work. Maybe I’d get some over the summer. The Paris Fashion Festival was always a good time.

“I have no idea. It’s something Spence got for me. It’s itchy.” She wiggled in discomfort.

While my sister wore all the best designers, it was because her mates picked them out for her. She’d be happy in a T-shirt dress and flip-flops.

“Things are going okay with your boys?” she added, craning her neck as if hoping to see them.

“They’re going well.” I couldn’t help but smile.

“I’m glad. Got to go. Have fun at the game. Talk to you later.” Grace waved and ended the call.

They were still hard at work when I slipped back into the box. I helped myself to some food and drinks, then half-watched the hockey game and studied for my final.

“All done. Should we finish? Why are you studying at a hockey game?” AJ pulled the other screen back up.

“You’re working at one.” I put my things in my backpack.

He shrugged. “We all know I work too much. Now, what were you saying about Compass BioTek and computers?”

“They should be announcing some interesting things with quantum nano computers, that’s all.” Their nano computer project wasn’t a secret. However, them gearing up for human trials was.

AJ checked the score on the fútbol game. Southern United was still winning. His eyebrows rose. “You know this how?”

“You background checked my finances and not my family?” I sipped my drink. It didn’t bother me. It was normal to check out potential packmates.

“Who’s your family, Princess? Other than a bunch of assholes.” His eyebrows rose.

I pulled up a picture of me at Grace’s wedding that had her, me, and Spencer in it. “This is on the non-asshole side. My big sister and one of her mates. She and my brother work for him. Over the summer when I lived with them I got to hear more about the special projects division than I’d ever wanted.”

“Wow. That man is one of my heroes.” AJ whistled.

“Hang around me long enough and you might get to meet him,” I teased. “He’s after my research, you know.”

AJ rubbed his chin. “Right, because you’re genetically engineering super plants that will change the word.”

“Something like that,” I laughed.

The period ended. The players went in, and the mascot, Nat the Knight, came on the ice to shoot some T-shirts at the fans with the help of the ice crew.

“Work’s done. Let’s move down.” AJ grabbed his laptop case.

“Okay.” I threw away my trash and got my backpack. AJ waved to his boss and led me out of the area with the boxes toward a lower section.

“Alex? Is that what the A in AJ is short for?” I asked, recalling what Myra had called him.

“Not quite, but it’s what they call me in the office. It’s nice to have different names for different situations.” He showed his phone to someone, who let us into the section.

AJ waved to other people, some wearing black and silver jerseys, others dressed impeccably.

What got me were the children in tiny Knights jerseys. Be still my ovaries. Being around a male omega so much was making them feisty. My last period had been horrendous, my body punishing me for having the audacity to not let Dean put a baby in me.

“Where are we?” I asked AJ, leaning close enough to get his vetiver scent.

“Family section. I have seats here. I just usually end up in the company box. Thought you might like to see the game up close,” he told me, hand at the small of my back as we walked down the metal stairs.

The Maimers did the same. Though the only time I’d sat there was when everyone came out for Mercy’s game against Rockland.

While the MASOs, the mates and significant others, for the Maimers, were nice to me, they were a tiny group. Most of the Maimers were on the younger side. I was curious what the Knights’ mates and spouses would be like.

We took our seats. The ice was just a couple of rows away.

“Hi, AJ. They will be so happy you’re sitting down here tonight.” A sweet omega, flanked by her packmates, sat in front of us, three small children with them. Everyone wore the numbers two and ten and had Royce on the back.

Ah, the team captains’ pack.

“Hi Janessa. That’s Verity, she’s Grif’s.” Again, AJ shrugged it off casually.

Janessa wore a silver and black headscarf and looked glamorous, even in an oversized jersey. Her beautifully made-up brown eyes focused on me. “Hi there, I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Janessa, Elias and Winston Royce’s omega, and these are my packmates and children.”

“Hi.” I waved.

As the ice resurfacer smoothed everything down, Janessa pointed out several other people, including Carlos’ mom, who was knitting.

I waved to Gwen, the pink-haired university student from NYIT that worked at Tito’s and the training center. She also did something for the Knights, but I wasn’t sure what. Sometimes she worked out with the Maimers. We’d talked many times, mostly about happenings on campus, cheap food, and what the daily offerings were at the campus needs pantry.

“Team Mom!” Gwen waved and bounded down the stairs toward us. She was wearing a dressy blouse and nice pants. “I got your class for next semester!”

“Amazing, which one?” I asked. Gwen was a math major. One of these days I should introduce her to my big sister.

“The plant mythology one. I’m excited,” she told me, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

“I’m looking forward to teaching that class,” I replied. Dr. Winters had approved my lesson plans, so everything was set.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be on good behavior. Hi Janessa!” She waved. Janessa tossed her a pack of something. With a thanks, she scampered back to her seat.

Janessa chuckled, then turned to me. “Gwen doesn’t get family room privileges, so we usually grab snacks for her. She’s always hungry.”

“Probably from all the energy she expends,” AJ laughed.

Oh, right. The Knights would have a room for the MASOs with food and snacks. I had family room privileges for the Maimers but was usually too busy. The team also let me eat with them.

The game started back up and the team took to the ice. Dean stood in the net, ready for the puck. Jonas saw us and nodded.

“What position’s yours?” I asked AJ, as we watched Jonas keep one of the Sasquatch’s forwards away from the goal.

“Forward, like Grif. What did you play?” AJ reached into his laptop bag and pulled out a lump of silver and black fabric. Shrugging off his suit jacket, he pulled the jersey with Grif’s twenty-six on over his button down.

“Forward. Even after I didn’t go pro, I still played for fun.” I sniffed a little. While I was continuing to make good progress, I didn’t think I’d ever play again.

“Do you miss it?” He turned to look at me.

That’s one thing no one had asked. No one. Not even Creed or Mercy. It was like people forgot I’d still played after I graduated.

“I do.” My voice broke.

He squeezed my good knee.

Things got fast and furious down by the Sasquatches’ goal, as Grif tried to plow his way toward the net with the puck.

A bunch of players tussled for the puck. Clark tried to get it to Grif. Carlos taunted and teased the other players, trying to distract them, trip them, or otherwise get them away from his teammates and the net.

The problem was some woman that was small and fast like Carlos. She was everywhere our forwards wanted to be and not afraid to hit people.

“That’s Ellie, she's a force of nature on and off the ice. She played with Dean back on the Aces,” AJ told me.

“I can see that.” I frowned as Grif struggled to keep the puck away from the Sasquatches. He was trapped with no way to score. His only option seemed to be to pass.

Some giant fucker played defense. This guy was bigger than Grif.

“That’s the Yeti. Nice guy, total brick wall on the ice,” AJ whispered.

“There’s a guy on the Sasquatches named the Yeti? ” My eyebrows rose.

AJ shrugged. “Hockey nicknames are weird. Their goalie’s named Cooter. ”

Cooter wasn’t that weird of a name. I’d gone to high school with one.

Grif shot the puck toward Clark. The Sasquatches scrambled for the puck as it slid across the ice. Clark ended up on the ground.

“Got it!” Carlos yelled, skating like his ass was on fire.

The Yeti got in his way. In something straight out of figure skating, Carlos slid under his legs. Carlos smacked the puck hard. It sailed through the air, hitting the bar of the goal, then bounced in before the Sasquatches’ goalie could block it. That goalie was fast.

Just not fast enough.

A song about cookies filled the air as Carlos stood there, dumbfounded.

“That’s my boy,” Carlos’s mom said from behind us, then yelled something in Spanish.

“That was wild. I would’ve never considered skating into a player and under his legs.” I told AJ as it replayed on the screens above.

“Kappas are crazy fuckers,” AJ replied.

“Yep.” I’d played with a kappa more than once. They were especially fun to afterparty with.

Funny music played. Dean turned in our direction and danced, making a heart with his fingers. The crowd laughed.

“Goalies are a different breed,” AJ chuckled.

Jonas tapped his helmet to Dean’s in a helmet kiss.

Gameplay resumed, and AJ explained things to me. A fight broke out on the ice. Grif slammed a guy into the glass, right in front of us.

The ref and linesman came over and broke it up, both getting sent to the penalty box.

Grif took off his helmet, face lighting up as he saw us, the linesman trying to tug him away. He blew on the glass, then used his fingers to draw a heart as he pointed to AJ and to me.

“Hey there, Tiger.” I waved.

“Hey, Gorgeous. Hey, Pepperjack!” Grif yelled.

“Hi, Boo-Boo,” AJ called, waving back.

“Get in the box, Grif Graf. Don’t make me eject you.” The linesman pulled him away.

Grif let her but continued to blow us kisses.

“That’s adorable,” Janessa told me, one of the kids half-asleep on her lap.

It was.

If things went well with Grif, and Dean for that matter, was this my future? Evenings sitting in the family section with AJ and rooting for our boys? Watching Dean dance, Grif fight, and Jonas protect. Maybe one day while holding a tiny child wearing their dads’ jersey?

Oh, I wouldn’t mind that at all.