My Hockey Alpha

Nina

“Alright, alright, that’s enough,” Enzo said, the red in his eyes fading back to a soft brown. “Get back to training.

The team grumbled and set me back down on the ground, then started running again. I was still amazed at my landslide victory in the race, and stood there for a moment as they ran ahead.

Enzo walked up to me now that we were alone and gazed down at me with a half-smile on his face.

“You’re quite the runner,” he said.

“I guess so,” I replied. “I don’t know what came over me.”

For a few moments, neither of us spoke. We were standing close enough that I could smell his sweat mixed with his cologne. Involuntarily, we were both leaning closer to each other. Close enough to kiss…

Enzo stepped back and shook his head. He drew in a sharp breath before speaking.

“What you saw last night-”

“Whatever it is, it’s none of my business,” I interrupted. “We’re just friends. You’re allowed to do whatever you want.”

Enzo opened his mouth to speak, but before he could say anything, the team started getting annoyed and calling for us to catch up. Turning on my heel, I ran to join the group so Enzo couldn’t see my tears.

He lingered at the back of the group for the rest of the run.

When we finished our run, we came back out at the same spot we went into the woods, having gone in a big loop. Tiffany was sitting on the bench and flipping through some paperwork when we returned.

“Have a good run?” she asked, standing as I jogged up to her.

“It wasn’t bad, actually,” I said, praying that the blush on my face would just seem like it came from all of the exertion and not from the feeling of Enzo’s red wolf eyes on me.

“Good,” Tiffany replied with a smile, sticking her paperwork in her bag and. hoisting the bag onto her shoulder. ” I’ve gotta head back to the office. You did good work today. Go get some rest.”

watched Tiffany walk away. Then, taking one last glance over my shoulder at Enzo and the rest of the team, I started to head in

called from behind

my lips and turned around, not wanting to be rude but also not wanting to give my ex any

I walk with you for a minute? I just wanna

again.

said as we walked. “I know I’ve been shitty to you, and I’ll totally respect it if you just wanna be friends. But I

way Justin looked in the coffee shop that day. He had been dressed eerily similar to Enzo; in fact, he was even dressed a lot like Enzo now

Enzo?” I blurted out, stopping and looking at

with wide eyes and stammered out a

as I eyed Justin up and down, but then sighed and relaxed when I

fine

play on Justin’s lips. “Does

my head. “Justin, the fact of the matter is that you cheated on me. I don’t resent you, but… I don’t see

I promise

I sighed.

replied. “If you really do plan

he wasn’t only working on himself because

walked away from Justin, I took one last glance over my shoulder to see Enzo watching me from the

next day, I was walking to my nextclass of the day when my

from the diner,

“Hello?” I answered.

Phil said, sounding chipper. “I

Was he going to ask me to come back to work? I really needed the money, but

he said, “we’re really missing your help over here. I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions before… If you’re not too mad at me, and if I gave you a raise to make up for it, would you be

I blurted out, then covered my mouth and cringed at my overly enthusiastic response. “I mean… Yeah, that

in tonight?”

would understand. I really needed the money; I’d been living

see you tonight,”