Page 85 of Her Knotty Alphas

"He used to really have a problem with his footwork, you know," my omega is telling Coach likeshe'sthe one who played professionally for twenty-five years. "He used to have my brother and I pretend to be players on another team and block him however we could, though I wasn't very successful." She frowns. She actually frowns at the fact her fifteen-year-old, five-foot-two self couldn't block an alpha over a foot taller than her.

"What kind of trouble are you getting into, mags?" I ask, coming up next to her.

"Trouble?" She gives me an exaggerated look of shock. "Me? Never. Coach walked past and heard me muttering to myself and told me to not hold back."

Ah. That makes sense. It was optimistic of me to think that she was actually holding back her commentary.

"Anyway," she gives me a grin, "I'm going to run to the little omegas room while you get showered."

"Okay. Meet me back in here?" I ask, feeling a little uncomfortable at the thought of her being in this stadium by herself, but the doors are locked and closed to the public, so it should be fine.

"You got it." she gets on her tip-toes and pulls me down to kiss my cheek, and I'm left staring after her as she walks to the restroom.

"She reminds me of my omega," Coach says wistfully, shaking his head. "Had big opinions and an even bigger heart." Something about Hannah must be softening him because next thing I know, his hand is on my shoulder. "Don't wait, son. Make sure she knows how much you love her before it's too late." His face flashes with regret, and with that, he leaves me, heading to his office and I'm left wondering what the hell happened to his omega to make him talk like that. Whatever it was, I know I don't want to be left feeling the same way he does in twenty-five years.I need to make sure Hannah knows just how much she means to me.

"Where are we going?" Hannah asks excitedly, nearly bouncing in her seat. We're driving on the freeway, her eyes catching on every sign and billboard we pass. I wanted some time alone with my omega where I wasn't running around and sweating with other guys, so I've swept her away for the afternoon.

I almost let out a laugh, remembering the text conversation between me and the guys.

Me

Taking mags out for the afternoon. Don't wait up

Noah

I'll wait up if I want to, asshole

Me

Fine, lose sleep, douchenozzle

Enzo

Good. She's going to need to feel connected to all of us before her heat hits if she wants to bond us.

Austin

Tell her I'll have her favorite chocolate chip cookies waiting for her when she gets home, no matter what time it is.

My friendship with Noah kind of reminds me of the one I had with Kieran growing up. Constantly giving each other shit, but also there for each other when it counts.

"You're just going to have to be patient," I tease my omega, squeezing her hand over the center console.

"That isnotone of my better qualities." She huffs, and I bark a laugh. She's right on that one.

But then I'm taking the exit that leads us to the freeway that lines the coast, and she's frowning at me. "It's too cold to swim at the beach."

"Who says we're swimming?" I ask, arching a brow.

"You're right. Duh. We don't even have our suits. So wherearewe going?"

"Hannah," I warn, "I said be patient."

She doesn't have to be patient for long, though, because then we're pulling into the parking lot that backs right up to the beach. It's empty this time of year, not another soul to be seen. "Aha! So wearegoing to the beach!" She points an accusing finger at me.

"Mags." I roll my eyes. "I said we weren't going swimming, I never said we weren't going to the beach." She gives me a blinding smile and hops out of the car, and then I'm chasing after her as she takes off running towards the sand. "Hannah, wait!" She doesn't, and my feet sink into the sand as I follow after her.

She throws her head back and laughs, the sound of it making my heart nearly burst. "You'll have to catch me, Golden Boy!" The sun is low in the sky, hovering just over the skyline, and the golden light reflects off her face, giving her an ethereal appearance.

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