Page 63 of Pack End Game

Spencer squeezes his eyes closed and sighs.

Personally, I'm loving the way this interaction is taking the limelight off of me. My confidence is back in full swing as I stand proudly amongst these three hot men, no longer feeling like I don't belong. This is exactly where I belong, pressed between Spencer and Zak, giggling under my breath at Freddie's antics.

Coach Lamb shakes his head and clucks his tongue at Freddie. "Relax, kid. No one's going to mess with the sanctity of Simon the Sloth."

I have a feeling these kinds of conversations aren't unusual. Freddie doesn't care that he's a beta while Coach Lamb is an alpha. The man refuses to be fully tamed by anyone. Even Spencer accepts that there's only so much that can be done about Freddie.

Coach Lamb's attention returns to me. "You should know Spencer and Zak are good men. Solid. Reliable. And Freddie..." His expression is softer even as he glances at Freddie, who beams expectantly. "Freddie is a headache and a menace to the very institution of professional football."

Freddie puts a hand to his chest. "I knew you cared, Lamby."

Refusing to acknowledge the nickname this time, the coach continues, "Freddie is also incredibly loyal and keeps these two from being too serious all the time. Everyone has to let loose sometimes. So I suppose he has his uses."

"That's the nicest thing you've ever said about me." Freddie wipes away a legitimate tear from under his eye and tugs out of Spencer's grasp.

Before anyone can stop him, he throws his arms around Coach Lamb and practically squeezes the life out of the man.

Coach Lamb pants, trying to get his breath back, when Freddie releases him.

Spencer is quick to grab Freddie by the back of the shirt and pull him backward before he has the chance to escalate. Good thing the quarterback has excellent reflexes because I think I saw Freddie pursing his lips and eyeing Coach Lamb's cheek.

Freddie is a hot mess.

At least it's an emphasis on the hot.

"I'm going to make the rounds and then head out of here. You all enjoy your night. Coach Lamb smiles one last time at me. "So nice meeting you, Mia. I look forward to seeing you cheer these guys on at more games. You all enjoy the rest of your night. After that win, you deserve to celebrate." He pauses to pat Spencer on the shoulder before moving on to show face with the rest of the team.

As soon as the coach is out of earshot, Spencer releases Freddie and groans. "Seriously, Freddie?"

"What?" he asks, his eyebrows scrunched with genuine confusion.

He doesn't have to try to create chaos; the chaos just comes naturally to him.

I giggle again.

I'm relieved to be able to enjoy the rest of the night free from worry as Spencer guides me around the room, taking turns with Zak to introduce me to the other members of their team. Freddie manages to get a laugh out of every single one of them.

I'm in great company.

There's just one thing I'm still waiting for, and the moment comes once we've loaded up plates at the buffet and sat down at a long table surrounded by other players, some of whom have their own families in tow.

Anthony, a wide receiver, is midway through praising Spencer's role in the final play of last night's game when I see my opening.

"Well, that fifty-eight-yard drive after the turnover was huge," I say, trying for casual confidence in my voice even as my butt clenches in my seat. "And Spencer went, what, six for six in the fourth quarter? That kind of efficiency is why you all dominated the whole second half."

Our table becomes noticeably quieter.

My heart stops.

Last night, I snuck away to the bathroom while the guys were sleeping and spent hours poring over football guides for beginners on my phone. I crammed so hard that there's zero chance of me retaining everything I learned, but the most important thing was to remember enough to pass this test that no one else even realizes I'm taking.

Finally, Ronald slaps his hand down on the table. "Exactly!"

Everyone resumes talking at once.

"Spencer, I didn't realize your omega is so familiar with the game already."

"She gets it."