Page 35 of Pack Giroux

Kinkaid chuckles at my side right before Emerson leans down and claims my lips. And when I say claims, that's exactly what I mean. Where his twin was surprisingly docile the other day, he makes up for it. He does his own ravaging much as Kinkaid did until I'm left breathless and contemplating my options for going home with them.

Unfortunately, I apparently have the willpower of steel, and let them leave. But not without trading hoodies with Kinkaid with his promise that he's going to wash the one we traded and wear it so we can trade again. Of course, not one to be left out, Emerson wanted me to have something of his too, so he strips off his own jacket and hands it over. Do I tell them that I can't wear two at once or that I'm just fine with one? No, because I'm a sinful, greedy little omega that wants to start a collection of their scents.

We wave bye with promises of seeing each other tomorrow. As I crawl into my empty bed with a full belly, I'm thankful for how lucky I am to have a pack like them. With both of their scents in bed with me, I text them all and tell them goodnight.

The next morning, I wake up feeling better than I have all week. It was either getting to see them last night and sleeping with their scents, or the fact that I'll be free for a bit after the game today, or the cake. It's probably the cake.

Getting dressed, I make sure I have all of the things I'll need for the game and pack in some extra clothes in my bag. I figure I'll probably ride back with the pack to their place. Locking everything up and racing over to where we're meeting coach for the bus, I'm a little early and get first pick of seats. I put in my new earbuds and jam as I get pumped for the game.

We make it and are almost finished when they show up. At first it just whispers in the stands that I've tried to tune out, but it slowly trickles down to both teams. I finally hear that everyone is freaking out about the twins being here. I glance up to see the five of them in the bleachers. They're all wearing my number. Grady and Raine both have paint on their faces. The former with his big foam finger that he waves at me as he catches me looking at them. I laugh and shake my head. The twins sitting in the middle both wear hats and have their heads downlike they're trying to hide from the crowd, and it makes me feel bad. Jameson lifts his head like he feels my stare. I smile at him. Remember the ride and kiss from the other day relights that fire in my belly. Eyes still locked on mine, he whips the hat off his head, drawing the attention of his brother who does the same. It's almost like he's proving that he's willing to take the heat to be there for me. Call me crazy, but it sends my instincts into overdrive. I have to fight the idea of dragging him somewhere more private.

Fortunately for all involved, the game starts. We're up a good amount for the first while then they start catching back up. I block out everything else and put everything I am into every block, assist and dive. The crowd goes crazy at every hit we make, pumping us up all the more. We beat our opponents by a mere three points, but a win is a win.

We're hydrating and wiping the sweat off our bodies when Coach comes over. "Good job out there, girls. Especially, you Marnie. You had quite the cheering section today."

"It's because she's banging the whole damn section," Whitney snaps loudly.

The team snickers, but Coach gets pissed. "Monday morning. My office. Bullying will not be tolerated on this team."

Whitney glares daggers at me as does most of the team, but I go after Coach for an entirely different reason. "Please don't punish her."

"I have to," Coach remarks angrily. "If I don't, she won't stop, and it'll encourage the others to do the same."

She walks away, leaving me standing with the blood drained from my face. I don't know what kind of punishment she'll get, but I know the ones we got on the compound for something like this was to be feared. I ignore all of their comments as I pack my bag and head to the locker room, ignoring mycheering sectionon the way, too.

I grab the quickest shower ever before the room starts to fill, dressing and walking out. On my way, one of the senior girls bumps into my shoulder sending me flying into the lockers.

"Oops, sorry," she says with menace.

The pack is waiting where I last saw them, only they're surrounded by a small crowd of people. I don't feel like fighting my way through it and having all of those strangers touching me, so I make eye contact with Raine before walking away. I can hear him doing what sounds like shoving people out of the way to catch up with me. By the time we get outside, the others have caught up, too.

I stomp toward the parking lot, not answering their questions as they fire them at me asking what's going on. I stop at the curb and look toward the bus and toward where I see two familiar cars. Neither option appealing. Either I go with the team and have to deal with the bull crap, or I go with the pack and risk being this angry person with them that I don't want to be.

Arms wrap around my middle, and I can tell from the vanilla scent that it's Grady even before he murmurs in my ear. "Whatever has you so upset, talk to us and let us help you."

I take a deep breath and relax back into his embrace. I tell them everything that just happened as Grady turns us to face them, and I get to see their expressions morph into anger.

"Sorry, babe, but I agree with the coach here," Jameson says. "And don't look at me like that. It's bad enough your roommates are bitches, but to turn the whole team against you because you play better than the three of them combined? That's bullshit."

"Not all punishments are fair and deserved," I argue.

Raine's chin tips up like he finally understands something before he says, "But, I think we can all agree that this one is both fair and deserved."

I take another deep breath, knowing he's right. The wordmust've been some sort of trigger in my mind and sent me into a spiral.

"Can we just go home, and order take out or something?" I ask. "I'm tired of being around people today."

They all readily agree. Grady doesn't give me any warning before he moves in front of me and bends down to pick me up, throwing me over his shoulder and leaving my bag dangling. Jameson is closest and reaches out to take it out of my hands.

A laugh bubbles out of me as I reach down to tap Grady's butt cheeks. "This is a mighty fine view."

We're all laughing as we load up in their cars.

Chapter Eleven

We order Chinese and binge some show on in their living room when we get to their place. I'm exhausted, but I'm enjoying being here with them so much that I don't want to fall asleep and miss out on any time. Unfortunately, the week catches up with me, and I start dozing between the twins on the couch. Next thing I know, Raine is carrying me to my room and laying me on the bed. He gives me a quick kiss before closing the door behind him.

For all of my sleepiness, as soon as I'm alone, I can't sleep to save my life. Getting up, I change out of my clothes and into one of the silk gowns before throwing on a robe and slipping out of my room. I've just made it to his door, getting ready to knock when a smiling Kinkaid comes around the corner.

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