Finding the Forward, Part One (HockeyVerse)

Chapter Forty-Four

Dean

H oliday music played over the training center’s speakers. The rink employees had been busily decorating the past few days. Last night was the Knight’s holiday party, which was always a fun time. I’d gotten a subscription to a gourmet bread box from a local bakery in the gift exchange.

It was like my teammates knew me.

Right now, us goalies were practicing on the small rink while everyone else was on the larger one. The Maimers were on the third.

Coach Kirov’s phone rang. She looked at it. “I’m sorry, I have to take it.”

She was a giant blonde alpha who always wore her hair in a bun-braid. Coach Kirov had played for Russia, then moved to New York with her pack, started coaching high school, and now was our goalie coach.

Today it was me, JP, and Gwen, one of our EBUGs. Ladybug, as we called her. Gwen wore leggings and a tank top that said EBUGs do it when no one else can . Her pink hair was up in a bun. We had two other EBUGs, but they weren’t here.

We stopped and grabbed some water.

“You okay, Ladybug?” I took a drink from my water bottle. Last night at the party, I’d seen her arguing with her boyfriend.

I had a soft spot for our EBUGs. But then I’d been in the goalie development program for the Boston Royals back when I was at BosTec.

“I’m fine. Working the late shift tonight at Tito’s. Nervous about our upcoming game. We need to win,” she replied. She was goalie for NYIT, and they were having a killer season. Classes might not be in session, but hockey was.

Coach Kirov joined us, looking flustered. “Sorry, but I’ve got to retrieve my sick kid from daycare.”

“It’s fine,” Jean-Paul replied in his strong French-Canadian accent. “Do you want us to keep going?”

“Go home, get some rest.” With a wave, Coach Kirov left.

“Would you like me to stay and run drills with you? So you’re in shape for the game? Celine left again today for work, so I have the time,” JP offered.

“I’d like that. There’s this one forward I worry about. I have videos.” She got out her phone. Gwen hoped to go pro. At five-foot-eight, she was short for a goalie, though on the tall side for a beta girl. Few people had more hustle than her. I looked forward to the day she got signed.

“You staying?” Jean-Paul asked me.

The guys were probably still in practice. Verity walked by. Oooh. Maybe I could take her to lunch? It would be nice to spend time with just her. With our schedules, the only alone time I ever got with her was a little snuggling in the stands or a coffee date.

“I’m going to head out. Keep up the good work, Ladybug. Your game will be great. I think NYIT has a shot at the division finals,” I told her.

Her face brightened. “You think?”

I nodded. She played in the same division that we had. It was tough, but Gwen was better than most people gave her credit for.

“It’s dollar tacos this afternoon over at Taco Hut if you want to join us later,” Gwen added. “We’re going over before I head to work.”

“Have fun,” I told her. Gwen was friends with Carlos and some of the younger players. Yeah, I couldn’t out-eat them in a taco-eating contest.

I didn’t see Verity. But I checked on Grif and Jonas, who were in practice with the rest of the team. Someone had pissed off Coach Atkins, and they were doing sprints something fierce in the main rink. Thank goodness we got out of that.

The familiar scent of driftwood tickled my nose. There she was. Even though it was winter vacation for her, she didn’t seem to be taking much of a break. She did hang around a little longer in the mornings and she’d grabbed lunch or dinner with us a couple of times. We’d even watched a movie at her place with Mercy and a bunch of the Maimers, which had been chaotic good fun.

“I was thinking I’d take this afternoon off from the lab. Maybe we can do something just me and you?” Verity told Mercy as they stood in the hall. Mercy had her bag slung over the shoulder like she was leaving for the day.

“You’re taking the afternoon off? I’m so proud of you. Even though Dr. Winters probably yelled at you.” Mercy held up her hand. “I know, I know, they’re plants, and you need to check on them even with the watering thingies and monitors you can check on your phone. You don’t need to spend all day, every day, there if your professor’s telling you not to.”

“He didn’t yell, but um, yes. Also, my phone and tablet aren’t new enough to run the monitors or the program the auto-waterers use. Still, what else am I going to do while you’re here?” Verity’s brow furrowed. She looked tired–and sad.

“You could spend time with me. Can I take you out to lunch?” I put an arm around her, letting her scent surround me.

“Hi, Dean.” A cute little look crossed her face. It differed from her look for Grif. This one was all for me.

My little alpha being happy to see me made me want to do a happy dance.

“You could take a bubble bath and drink wine while reading romance novels.” Kaiko joined us, also with her bag.

“If only I had a bathtub. So?” Verity gazed hopefully at her sister.

“Yeah... so... while I'd love to go do something with you, I haven’t bought my gift for the exchange at the party tonight. Or any of them. Kaiko and I are going shopping. Come with us to the mall? It’s got lots of stores you like,” Mercy replied, shifting her bag’s weight.

“They have those scooters and we can get you one if you’re too tired to walk around the mall. Or you can sit in the bookstore and just text us what you still need to buy and we’ll get it. We can go for snacks after. There’s a great bubble tea place,” Kaiko told her.

“There’s also the pretzel stand you like,” Mercy added.

While the offer seemed genuine, I got a whiff of salty sadness off Verity.

“Or you can spend the afternoon with me? Seriously, I have the afternoon off. The guys don’t. I can get my date.” I batted my eyes at her, wanting to make her smile.

Also, I was still a little miffed that Grif took her to dinner at our place in Boston without me.

“Aww,” Kaiko replied. “You should go on a date.”

“That’s a great idea. You have a date. We’ll go out to breakfast tomorrow before we get on the plane? I don’t feel neglected, promise, and while I love spontaneous Verity, I need to buy presents,” Mercy told her.

“Okay. My shopping is done and everything is wrapped.” Verity looked at me. “It’s you and me, Hot Stuff. Are you ready, or should I wait for you at the coffee cart? I have to walk her off the property.” Her grip around me was a little tighter than usual.

“I’ll meet you at the cart. Let me grab my coat.” Giving her a kiss, I practically skipped off.

I grabbed my coat and phone from the locker room. When I returned to the lobby, Verity waited by the coffee cart, looking wistful as she leaned on her crutch. She had her backpack. Today’s coat was seafoam green, that pom-pom of her hat peeking out of her coat pocket.

“Mercy loves you, but she’s at the age where she wants to spend time with her friends.” I put my arm around her in reassurance.

“I know. My fault for being spontaneous.” With a sigh, she got out her phone. “Let me cancel my plans. What would you like to do?”

She left her lab early and planned something for her sister? No wonder she looked sad.

“Don’t cancel. I’ll go with you. It doesn’t matter what we do. I just want to spend time with you. Let’s get our hair done or buy books. I’d like some glitter eyelashes. Especially if followed by tea and tiny desserts.” I fluttered my eyelashes for effect. Anything for her.

Verity laughed. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. I’m happy to go on whatever fun afternoon you have planned,” I told her as I pulled on the beanie that one of Grif’s moms made me. Grif had a matching one.

“Let me order a car. Or do you have one?” She got on her phone.

“While I know how to drive, I don’t have a license. Grif has this thing about always wanting to drive. So does Jonas. Also, I’ve always lived in places with good public transport. We could take Jonas’s SUV. I know the code.” I gave her a sly look. That would be fun.

“I haven’t gotten clearance to drive again, but soon,” she laughed. “I’m letting one of my brothers borrow my car.”

She texted someone, probably letting Jonas know she was taking me on an impromptu date. Verity was proper like that.

Taking my hand, she led me outside to a waiting car. She helped me in first, then slid in, putting her crutch in like she’d done this many times. As the car took off, I texted the group chat.

Me

Verity has stolen me. Don’t send help.

I snuggled into her, resting my head on her shoulder.

“I’m so glad I finally get a date,” I told her. “Even AJ’s gotten one.”

She laughed. “That wasn’t a date. We just went to a sports bar to have some beers. We watched a fútbol game on TV as he fixed my investments. Again.”

That seemed like AJ’s idea of the perfect date. I didn’t know if he liked her that way. At least he didn’t hate her anymore. I’d seen his phone—they texted fútbol stuff to each other all the time. Grif, Jonas, and I were often without our phones for large parts of the day. AJ never put his down.

“I’m excited to spend time with you, too. Thanks for being willing to go do something silly with me. Today has been such a shitty day. I had issues with my research. My older brother was like go do something fun with Mercy so I booked something. Of course she has plans with Kaiko. I should’ve asked.” She exhaled heavily and her chest shook.

Oh. My heart twisted. While I didn’t completely understand what she did, I knew PhDs were a fuckton of work.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” I tugged her to me, giving her a kiss on the temple.

“It’s fine, I’m fine.” She straightened and did that little shoulder wiggle, like she was trying to shake off her bad mood. Her expression went fake cheerful.

I shook my head. “Nope. You do not get to hide your upsetti from me. We’re past that. It doesn’t matter that you’re the alpha. I want you to feel comfortable being sad in front of me.”

“Upsetti?” She sniffed, taking a tissue out of her bag to wipe her eyes.

“If you can’t handle the upsetti, you don’t deserve the happy. My mom always says that,” I told her, running my hands through her hair.

She put her head on my shoulder. “Both new batches of my plants failed spectacularly. Months of work are now useless. I was so close. There was no point in starting over this afternoon, since I’m leaving town tomorrow.”

“I’m so sorry your research didn’t work out. That is upsetting. But you’re going to see your family for Christmas and then you can start over when you get back. You’ll only be gone for a few days.” How awful.

“Yeah, I’m so far behind.” Defeat rolled off her.

“Are you on a deadline? Your professor will understand.” I hugged her tighter, trying to settle my omega who didn’t like her being upset.

“More like self-imposed. I’m my biggest competitor. I feel behind because I’m not where I’d like to be. Dr. Winters says I’m fine, I just...” Her shoulders slumped.

“I understand. You’re an AJ. This is my timeline, and I’m going to throw a shoe at something when I don’t meet it. Even if it’s unrealistic .” I stroked the back of her neck. Maybe after, I’d bring her home with me.

Yeah, I knew exactly how to make my little alpha feel so much better. I’d put her in a great mood for the Maimers’ holiday party tonight.

“You’ll figure it out. Eventually, you’ll do all the things and be the amazing Dr. Verity with her plants,” I told her.

I should learn more about her research. She was always so quiet about it. Grif said she made flowers happy. Whatever that meant. Maybe she was developing a wonder-fertilizer? That made my plants happy.

“You know who will know the perfect place to get breakfast with Mercy tomorrow?” I told her. “AJ. Brunch. Waffles. Pancakes. Whatever you’re into, he’ll have a recommendation.”

“That sounds good. I think his assistant is standing in line to pick up the new phone that launches in a few hours for him,” she replied, getting on her phone.

“Sounds like him. AJ likes to have the new shiny toys,” I replied. It was part of his carefully cultivated image–always having the latest tech.

“I’d like toys that work. They’re in such pretty colors. Mercy and Kaiko were showing them to me. Hmmm, I bet AJ’s getting rose gold. Personally, I like the sold-out limited-edition bubblegum glitter.” She texted him a picture of the two of us.

Pretty sure he wasn’t getting rose gold or glitter. I’d like red sparkles.

The car took us to a street filled with cute trendy shops where you could buy baby blue suits and light pink sexy dresses. Curiosity bubbled inside me. Hopefully, it was a spa day. An aromatherapy massage sounded divine. Maybe I could upgrade us to a couple’s room and a soaking tub.

The car stopped in front of a place with a lit-up sign with a martini glass filled with gummy bears on it held by a hand with long nails. Manitinis.

Oh. Someone had a terrible day indeed. I’d never had a manicure, let alone one at a place that sold booze. This place was popular because everything was picture-perfect for your socials. The Knights lady forwards enjoyed going here together and always posted pictures of their cute nails.

Verity got out of the car first, then gave me a hand. She looked at the sign, looked back at me, and grinned. “I hope you know what you’re in for. You agreed. No take backs.”

“I can’t wait.” I let her escort me inside. Soft, cheerful music played, and everything was done in pastels, from the poofy couches in the waiting room, to the giant chairs some women sat in while sipping colorful drinks.

The front desk looked like a martini glass. There were two menus–one of services, and one of drinks–which seemed to all contain candy.

“Hi, reservation for two under Thorne.” She got out her phone.

“Can we upgrade to a private room?” I asked, still scanning the menu. “Verity, I’ve got this. Save your special sister money so you can still have that special sister time.”

“ Dean. ” She shook her head.

I pulled her close. “Did you know I’m the highest earner in the pack? Yeah, I out-earn Jonas. We’re so busy we never spend it. AJ invests it and makes more money. Please, let me buy you some drinks and whatever it is we’re getting done.”

I’d paint my nails pink sparkles if it made her happy.

She gave me a kiss. “Thank you, Dean.”

It was fun upgrading everything, even though I didn’t know what any of it meant, since everything had cutesy names. The staff whisked us away to a private room that looked like a little pink cloud.

“What are we doing? Because I’m still not sure,” I told her as we sat together in a giant pink recliner built for two, our feet in bubbly pink water.

We should have lunch before drinking, but whatever. Maybe we’d get food after.

“We’re getting pedicures. You got us the super fancy one, so this is going to be fun.” She wiggled happily in the chair.

“I’ve never gotten a pedicure,” I confessed. “I’ve taken my mom to get facials. There’s this little omega-only place she likes.”

Being a big guy who’d hid their designation for years, I wasn’t very comfortable in omega-only spaces.

“Aww. I’d love for one of my moms to do something like that with me,” she sighed, look wistful.

“My mom would love to have a spa day with you, then go have afternoon tea, maybe do a little shopping.” Oh, she’d adore Verity. She’d always wanted a daughter and had hoped that one day we’d bring a woman into the pack. My mom had difficulty conceiving and my parents were lucky they’d gotten me.

Someone brought us our drinks. Her gummy-bear martini was colorful and cute. My blue drink looked like a little aquarium with gummy fish. At least it had a straw, or I’d spill it all over myself. Yeah, I shouldn't be drinking a giant sugary drink like this mid-season. But I’d splurge today.

“We need pictures.” Verity snapped a picture of us with our drinks.

“Want to try?” I offered her my fishbowl.

“Please. Try mine.”

We traded drinks. I loved how her lips wrapped around the straw. I wanted those lips wrapped around my dick like that. After we traded drinks back, I snagged a kiss, which tasted of vodka and sugar.

“I know one way you could pay me back.” I waggled my eyebrows. How private was this room?

Verity giggled, joy on her face. “As much as I’d love to, I wouldn’t want to get in trouble with Jonas for breaking his request to watch.”

“Him watching us was something he specifically asked for?” I took another sip to hide my outrage. He what? That cockblock.

Verity was already half through with her drink. If she needed to get wasted while she got her toes painted, I’d make sure she got home safe to my bed. I’d even make her some coffee and a grilled cheese sandwich before her party. I texted Grif to get some sourdough bread on his way home. Ooh, and some gruyere.

Maybe he’d make them for us. He made the best grilled cheese.

“Yes, every time.” She bit her lower lip. “I can’t pull you into a closet whenever I want.”

“Eh, he’ll just spank us.” It would absolutely be worth the punishment.

At least for me.

I waggled my eyebrows. “...or do you not want to be spanked by Jonas? I don’t kink shame.”

“I’m curious about his armored dick.” Verity took another gulp of her drink. “Like how it feels when it’s inside you. Also, his tongue when he goes down on you. Mmmm.”

Her expression made me want a tongue ring. She’d probably make so many cute noises.

“His mouth feels good wherever it is on my body,” I sighed. “But, yeah, you absolutely want his dick inside you. Can you lock a knot? That sounds intense. ”

“It’s difficult for an alpha female to take a knot, but maybe? This water feels so good on my feet.” She wiggled her toes in the bubbles.

“Mine, too.” I perused what the internet told me on my phone about locking a knot.

She took some pictures of her and her drink and sent them to someone. Probably Mercy.

I took sips of my drink as I scrolled, then looked over to her. “Huh, so I guess it’s a lot easier for you to take it in the ass than the pussy. But asses are asses no matter what your designation.”

“I like a little ass-play. One of these days I’d love to be the filling between you and Grif.” She drained her drink. “Mmmm. Fruity.”

“Oh, yeah, I like that idea. Look, there are some specific piercings lady alphas get to help take knots. Get this: you can lock a knot. It’s supposed to be mind-blowing.” I showed her a photo of the piercings.

“I’ve never had the desire to bejewel the vag, but… huh? Maybe for Jonas’ birthday.” She giggled as she ate the gummy bears out of her glass.

“I’ll take you. Maybe I should get my tongue pierced, too. My birthday’s next month.” I stuck it out. Oh yes, I’d go with her to get piercings done.

The door opened and someone came in. “More drinks?”

“Please!” Verity held out her empty glass.

Two people started rubbing our feet with rough things. Verity told me more about her research, and how devastated she was. How I wished I could fix it for her. At least I could make her feel better.

We continued to drink and talk, our conversation turning to Grif, as I told her stories about him when we were kids.

“I love Grif,” she breathed, as they rubbed our legs more, now with their hands and hot stones. Yeah, this was better than the physical therapists the Knights had.

“I know you do.” Clearly, they loved each other deeply. Perhaps some of Grif’s possessiveness with Verity was that omega desire to keep your alpha to yourself, which was fine.

As long as he didn’t keep her from me.

“It’s only been a couple of months.” She took another drink.

“That’s forever in... some relationships.” I almost slipped and said alpha-omega because it was not uncommon for them to move that fast .

“I don’t want to mess things up by going too fast,” she confessed, look stricken as her scent soured.

She still didn’t know about Grif. The more she became entangled in our lives, our pack, the more I didn’t like keeping it from her. But it wasn’t my choice.

“You won’t,” I reassured her. “Go as fast as you want with me. Or slow. Or all night long.” I gave her a sultry look. Oh yes, have me all night long, Alpha.

She leaned her head on my shoulder. “I care for you, too, Dean. It’s nice spending time with you. My life is so full and I get overwhelmed. Please forgive me for putting Grif first right now. You’ll get your time, too.”

It made me happy that she kept offering me reassurance. Sometimes the omega part of me got a little insecure because this was taking so long. However, her life was full and sometimes I worried about her overdoing it. She didn’t always seem to have the best time-management skills.

“You know where I am.” I leaned in and gave her a kiss. “You’re going to court him, aren’t you, after Mercy turns eighteen? Court him and bite him?”

Become part of our pack.

We’d need a room for her. If we got a Verity, then maybe we could get that house Grif and I wanted. AJ enjoyed living in a penthouse. It’s how he grew up. But I wanted a house with a little yard. Like the one Grif and I always walked past and pretended was ours when we were kids.

“If everyone agrees, I’d like that. I like your pack, Dean. All of you, not just you and Grif. Jonas does things to me. Even though AJ might still hate me a bit, I’d like to at least be friends with him. Maybe more. Is it supposed to be like that? That I love you all so much so fast?” she confessed, biting her lower lip.

She loved us . My heart exploded.

“Sometimes you just fit. Like AJ looked at Jonas and me and just knew that even though he didn’t want to fuck us, we were his pack. I am so very happy you fit with us. Please, have your way with Jonas.” I peppered her face with little hungry kisses, ignoring that we weren’t alone.

Her head ducked, and she giggled a little. Oh yeah, she wanted my alpha. I couldn’t wait to watch them together.

“You’ll bite me too when you’re ready? You don’t have to court me. I don’t need a wedding or mating party. I only want to be yours,” I added. A hint of desperation rose in my voice. I needed her to understand that she was the alpha I never knew I needed in my life.

Verity kissed me back. “I want you to be mine, too. I’m glad you’re so understanding.”

My patience wasn’t infinite, but I was trying to wait my turn. Knowing it was coming helped.

“Are you going to let Jonas bite you? Alphas sometimes do bite each other.” I took another sip of my drink.

“I... I don’t know. He’s so handsome, and that cock, mmmm,” she sighed, clearly a little drunk–she’d had more than me.

“I can imagine all the things I’d like him to do to you.” Feeling good, I texted those things to Jonas. With how devastated she was about her plants, she probably needed to be fucked in the way only he could.

After that, Grif could fuck her in the way only he could. Then she could ride me. I also texted Grif exactly what he should do to us.

“Why are you smiling?” She read my texts, then play-smacked me. “Dean.”

“You want all these things done to you.” I gave her a sloppy kiss. Would Jonas let me join in? Grif would. The idea of that set me on fire. Grif had mentioned his swing.

“Oh, I do,” she sighed.

“What about AJ? Would you fuck him? While your cheerfulness annoys him a little, he does like you,” I told her. “I’ve never fucked AJ, but Grif likes it. No idea who the top is. They don’t let me watch. Maybe they’d let you watch? Would you want to watch?”

“Yes–and touch. AJ is so handsome. You know, he’s the kind of guy my baba always wanted me to marry,” she slurred, fishing another gummy bear out of her drink with the little straw.

“A sexy banker?” I asked. AJ was good looking. I just didn’t love him in that way.

“Pretty much. A well-educated, well-spoken, banker from a good family. Baba–my alpha dad–said someone in finance would give me stability. Especially if I wanted to be a professor. AJ is all that and so much more. He’s also cute and we have a lot in common. Did I mention that AJ’s nice looking?” She laughed again. Her look went thoughtful. “What does he taste like?”

Yep. Little Alpha was drunk. Snapping a picture, I sent it to our group chat.

They put hot pink stuff on our feet and legs, wrapped them in bags, then towels, then left us, closing the door behind us.

“We’re alone.” My eyebrows waggled as I put my head on her shoulder. “Take advantage of me? I don’t care how. Suck my dick, straddle me in this chair, or make me play with your pussy.”

My hand crept under her shirt, my fingers caressing the lace of her bra. What color was she wearing today? A spike of her arousal hit me as her hand stroked my chest through my shirt.

“I’d love to, but I can’t break my word to Jonas. He’s probably still in practice or we could video chat with him.” Her look went wistful.

“We could make a video.” My hand worked under her bra as her nipple pebbled at my touch.

“Do they not teach hockey players to not make sexy videos? We got that on the first day of collegiate fútbol. Maybe there’s time to go to your place before the party?” she offered.

“Now you’re talking. What are you going to do to me?” I asked, my hand cupping her breast.

“Ride you good. Oh yeah. I will kiss you and ride you...” She leaned into me, her elbow in my thigh, as she kissed me again.

I groaned with pleasure. “Do it again.”

She repeated the gesture. “That sound you make is delicious.” A sly grin crossed her face. “We could send Jonas a fake sex tape. It starts off dark, just you moaning and then we see me rubbing your thighs. It would be so funny,” she giggled, finishing off her drink.

“Oh shit. Let’s do that. I can’t wait to see his face.” I got my phone, giddiness rising inside me. What a great idea.

“Use mine. It should come from me.” She handed me hers and we made our fake sex tape. We kept laughing and had to retake it a few times. Satisfied, she sent it off.

“He’s going to love it,” I told her, giving her another kiss.

Oh, I couldn’t wait for his reaction.