Page 7 of Puck Your Neighbor

Omegas are a better fit, but with hockey, we haven't had the time to look for one or help them through a heat. The National Alpha Beta Hockey League, NABHL, only gives time off to scent-matched couples, not just any omega in heat. It's a hassle.

I'm not sure how they verify scent-matching, since they can't smell what we smell. I guess you need bond marks as proof. Random hookups wouldn't qualify for time off.

I head to the kitchen and start the coffee. I need that first cup to function. A few seconds later, Leo shuffles in, wearing a black satin bonnet that he says keeps his blond hair soft. I think it looks silly, but to each their own.

He yawns and leans against the counter as the coffeepot fills. He checks his phone, frowns, and puts it back in his pocket. I raise an eyebrow. "Waiting on a text from the cute neighbor? Remember, betas are just okay in bed."

Leo's eyes widen slightly. "Who said anything about sex? We just met. Besides, betas aren't that bad. Some are still worth it, even without knotting."

I smirk. "But you were thinking about her. You were talking to her, so she can hear. What's up with her?"

He shrugs. "No idea. She was signing and understood me when I spoke. I assume she's mute. I don't know why, and it's not my business. There could be many reasons."

The coffee finishes brewing, and I pour us each a cup. This kitchen is small compared to our last place. I'm not a fan of this apartment, but it's temporary. We just need to stick it out until Maverick's comfortable enough to buy a house. He's the practical one, always watching our spending.

Leo sips his coffee, grimaces, and adds creamer from the fridge. I shake my head. I don't get why people water down coffee with sugar and cream.

"I can't stop thinking about her, though," he admits. "I've never had that happen before. Maybe I just need to get laid."

"Can't stop thinking about who?" Maverick walks in, running a hand through his messy brown hair. He pours coffee into his green travel mug and adds two sugars.

I grin at him. "The downstairs neighbor we smoked with last night. She was cute, in a plain jane kind of way."

He raises his eyebrows. "Smoked? As in weed?"

Leo sighs and gives me a look. "It was one joint. It's not illegal anymore. Asher smokes all the time outside of practice, and the coach doesn't care. It doesn't enhance performance, and we're not high on the ice."

Maverick stares at the lid of his mug. "I'm not a fan, but you guys can do what you want. I'm not going to stop you."

Besides drinking, I don't think Maverick's ever done anything that wasn't hockey-related. The ice is his whole life. Maybe one day he'll loosen up, but I doubt it.

Maverick clears his throat. "So, you met the neighbor downstairs? I guess that explains why you were outside so long and ended the party early. I forgot there was someone living below us. My bad."

Leo nods. "She seems nice, a little reserved. Pretty sure she was trying to chase me off with using ASL to greet me, she had a look of 'you're not going to know what the fuck I'm saying, so just run along.'"

A smile spreads across his face. "I liked she was surprised when I knew and signed back to her. It seemed like that doesn't happen often for her."

Maverick tilts his head. "Is she deaf? I might need to brush up on my ASL. I took a class in college, but I only remember the basics."

We shake our heads. Leo takes another drink of his coffee. "Not deaf. I think she's mute, or maybe just didn't want to talk last night. You could brush up on your ASL, but I gave her my number so she can text if we're too loud."

I gesture towards Leo. "And he's been checking his phone non-stop. Someone has a crush on a beta."

Maverick frowns. "I'm pretty sure the landlord said she's an omega. We should use pheromone block balm on our noses at home, just in case. She has special vents and a steel door, but better safe than sorry. I forgot to mention it with all the moving chaos."

Leo and I glance at each other. I know non-scent-matched omegas don't have a strong scent, but I've always been able to tell if I'm around an omega or a beta. He's right, though; we should always wear our pheromone-suppressing balm, especially since there are a lot of omega puck bunnies. I've never gone into a rut over a random omega going into heat, but there's always a first time for everything. The last thing we need is a controversy because we lost control in front of an omega.

Leo clears his throat. "She didn't smell like an omega at all, but perhaps the weed was masking it."

I finish my first cup and pour another. "Or she was wearing one of those sprays. She's probably taking precautions as well. I would if I were an omega and had alphas move in above me. I'm not sure how well that will help during her heat, though. I find nothing can block that kind of thing. We'll just have to be ready for anything."

Maverick hums and nods. "I should introduce myself to her at some point this week and let her know that we'll be safe about things, so she doesn't have to live in fear."

I'd like to be able to talk with her as well, but I don't know ASL at all. I also don't want to make her feel like she has to write everything out, if that's what she does.

Man, I love practice, especially when Coach pushes us hard. I glance over at Maverick and Leo, grinning. We're in sync, even before the puck drops. That's the power of the Gold Trio, baby.

A sharp whistle cuts through the air.

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