I need Forrest.
I’ll just have to get a hit of his scent between matches.
“Alright, let’s do this,” Andie says, though her enthusiasm seems like it’s more geared toward getting this over with versus the actual excitement for the sport.
Luckily, she’s a natural and a good listener. Andie and I win our first two games. Her pack and mine are all there supporting. Wells is the loudest of my guys and I wonder if it’s because he comes from the sports world.
However, my teammate is losing steam and we play Megan next.
We’re over by our packs, getting water and cooling down. I’m sniffing Forrest like my life depends on it, maybe it does.
He tugs lightly on my ponytail, making me look up at him.
“You feeling alright?” he asks me.
“Yeah, for sure. It’s just hot today, and I didn’t sleep the best last night, and I need to kick Megan’s ass in pickleball.”
Elliot has his phone out. “I’m ready to record and send it to Axel,” he says, and I smirk.
“She’s been hitting short a lot of her games, you need to be prepared for that,” Wells tells me, like he’s my coach.
“After this is over you need to spend the rest of the day relaxing,” Forrest demands and I give him a warm smile and tug on his shirt for a good luck kiss.
His lips touch mine and I moan. There’s no time to thirst over my pack though, I have a game to win. I walk away from them, maybe swishing my ass in my skirt a bit. It’s always important to let your pack know they need to appreciate what they have on a near constant basis.
When I’m back on the court Andie looks worse for wear. Her curly red hair sticks to her skin and her white top is covered in sweat.
“Andie, sweetie. Are you okay?” I ask her.
“Yeah, it’s just so hot being out in the sun for so long,” she says. I give her a nod. Because the Caribbean sun has been rough today.
I glance around at the other Omegas and they all seem to be in a similar state, so at least it’s not just Andie.
“Honestly, if you’re not up for it, we can call it, I don’t want you to over exert yourself,” I tell her and she shakes her head.
“And miss you defeating your arch nemesis? Please. We’ll kick her ass and then I’m sleeping the rest of the day away,” she says, pinching her side.
“Only if you’re sure. If we don’t win I was planning on getting our packs cabanas anyway,” I tell her. I feel guilty that I roped her into this tournament and she isn’t feeling well.
“But it will be so much sweeter to win it,” she grins at me and I give her the same look back. I’ve made her a little blood thirsty and I’m not mad about it.
“We got this,” I tell her, keeping our positive vibes going.
Maybe I hoped she would want to call it quits, because despite the smile I’m putting on, I’m not feeling too great either. I should have eaten more for breakfast because my stomach is clenching in protest of my choices.
Whatever, I’ll work through the discomfort. I owe it to myself and for Andie to do my best.
“Let’s go, Claire!” Wells bellows, and I smile, looking over at where he stands. I give him a wave of my paddle and use the hem of my shirt to wipe off some sweat from my face.
That elicits some growling on the sidelines, and I ignore it. In fact, we’re ignoring how most of the Alphas’ sideline behavior.They’re acting like they’re high stakes betting on this pickleball tournament.
I’m also absolutely ignoring how far Elliot and Forrest are standing from each other. I can’t help it when a little whine of displeasure slips out of me.
Forrest and Wells both tilt their heads at the noise and I shake it off.
“Let’s get this over quick,” I tell Andie and she nods at me, her skin flushed.
I decide right then and there that no matter what, I’m giving Andie the best present ever for being my ride or die and agreeing to do this with me, especially when it’s so wretchedly hot outside.