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.”

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

Justin called from

around, not wanting to be rude but also not wanting to give my ex any more false hope than he already seemed to

walk with you for a minute?

nodded and started walking again.

again for everything I’ve put you through this semester,” he said as we walked. “I know I’ve been shitty to you, and I’ll totally respect it if

He had been dressed eerily similar to Enzo; in fact, he was even dressed a lot like Enzo now in his athletic clothes, and seemed

I

and stammered out a response. “N-No

my chest for a moment as I eyed Justin up and down, but then sighed and relaxed when I

fine before,

smile started to play on Justin’s lips. “Does that mean…” he started

I don’t resent you, but… I don’t see any way in which I can keep my dignity

said. ” I promise though that

I sighed.

“If you really do plan to work on yourself, we can be

he wasn’t only working on himself because he thought

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

day when my phone started buzzing. I looked at it to see that it

the diner, calling

“Hello?” I answered.

said, sounding chipper. “I hope

come back to work?

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 interested in

at my overly enthusiastic response. “I mean… Yeah, that would be good. When

in tonight?” Phil

but I knew she would understand. I really needed the money; I’d been living on the free meal plan food and instant noodles for

you tonight,”