23. Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Three

P re-season is upon us, and this is our last week of exhibition games. Everything has been off-the-record but, so far, the guys have been kicking ass. We need to keep up this energy for the season. I clap my hands. "Alright boys! Game time in a few hours. Everyone good to go?" I've ensured each of my boys are taped up like always. At some point, it became part of their pre-game ritual for them to meet me in the training room. I hope that carries over into the regular season.

"Yes Mom!" eight of my boys' groan in unison at the same time Mac and Dean yell, "Yes boss!"

I laugh. I know not all of them will play, but I still made sure they were all stretched well, in case the worst-case scenario happened. It's my job to make sure these men are ready for each game. Substitutions will happen, and so will fights. It comes with the game. Perri comes up beside me with a smirk.

"You do realize we are all capable of taking care of ourselves. You don't have to worry about us so much."

Perri is the oldest in my group, though, I don't feel like thirty-three should be considered old. But he has a family, which means he doesn't have to deal with the six guys who live in the common house. I, on the other hand, did, but I'm beginning to think of them as extended family. Plus, I don't mind being at the common house. It's better than my apartment. If I didn't want to stay at the common house, Dean and Mac stayed at the apartment with me. I groan thinking about my stalker. He has put a major damper on my personal life.

Shaking myself out of my thoughts, I bring my focus back to Perri. He is one of the centers playing tonight, and I finished taping him up a few minutes ago. He's managed to pull on most of his padding but still needs to suit up. I pat one of his shoulder pads. "I know, but there are only four of you who live on your own. Have you seen how those boys live in the common house? Plus, it's my job to worry. Part of the job description."

He shivers at the thought. "Point taken, Roe Roe."

I'm about to tell the boys it's time to head to the locker room when a voice rings out behind me. "Is that you Izzy?"

My whole body freezes, and I can tell Perri notices. He looks at the male behind me, then back at my face. "Who the fuck are you? Unless you're part of the team, you need to leave," Perri loudly snaps.

There's a ring of privilege in Emmitt's voice as he says, "My father knows the general manager. Nick and he go way back. Sorta like how Izzy and I go way back. Don't we Izzy?"

No…no, no, no! You cannot be fucking serious right now? My luck in life cannot possibly be this bad. There's no fucking way. It's bad enough that I have to deal with a stalker; now I have to face Emmitt? I glance around to find all my boys looking at me. My eyes flick to Mac and then Dean. I watch as Dean's eyes narrow dangerously on the man behind me, and it clicks who this is. He starts forward but Mac grabs his shoulder. His eyes are still on me as he mouths ‘We're here. You got this' and gives me a wink.

Taking a deep breath, I put on a fake smile and turn around. "Right. Though, we haven't talked in over ten years."

His smile is sickening. "Now, Now, Izzy. I've come all this way to see you. You look so good."

I try to hide the shiver that runs down my spine. Hearing him call me that nickname makes it feel like fire ants are crawling across my skin. I hate that nickname. Composure still in place, I arch a brow. "Yeah. Sure. Am I supposed to be grateful or something? That after ten years you've finally graced me with your presence."

"Oh, come now. We were such close friends," he says with a wink.

I have to hold back the urge to vomit in my mouth. How the fuck did I ever think this guy was attractive. I'm about to say something when I feel an arm settle around my shoulders. I look over to find Vicy. Of course, he would be the one to step up and say something.

I have to hold back a laugh at the look of disgust on Vicy's face as he stares at Emmitt. "Wait. Wait. Wait. My beautiful and glorious, Roe Roe, please tell me you were not with this troll ass-licker."

I can't stop the giggles. Troll ass licker? Where the fuck did he come up with that? The look of offense on Emmitt's face makes it even better.

Emmitt clears his throat and glares as he asks, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Vicy's eyes meet mine, and he asks in utter horror, "Oh, sweet, Roe Roe! Please tell me you haven't been with him!"

Thank god for these men. I'm not sure what I'd do without them. I'm still giggling at his dramatics. "Does knowing him since I was six years old, being his figure-skating partner, and being his girlfriend for two years count?"

Taz doesn't give Vicy a chance to reply as he leans a forearm on my shoulder. "Fucking hell, Roe Roe. Did you kiss him?"

Good god these boys are acting more like little brothers than anything else. But I am living for it. I should have known he would play along. When Vicy wants to cause trouble, Taz is never too far behind. I ponder his question for a moment, but I really have to think about it. Did I ever kiss him? Shit? "Um… to be honest, I can't remember."

Emmitt bristles. "Of course, we've kissed!"

Taz and Vicy both snort. Taz shakes his head dramatically and says, "Well, obviously it wasn't a good kiss. She would have remembered otherwise."

Emmitt huffs. "Like you brats could do any better."

Without thinking, I say, "Oh, they can." It is true. I've seen them kiss girls at the house, and the girls seem pleasured out of their minds. But I hadn't meant to say that out loud. I feel my face grow hot as the two snicker beside me.

Vicy lays a hand on my shoulder as he says, "Now, Roe Roe, don't give away all our secrets."

Taz boops me on the nose and laughs. "He's right. Don't spread our secrets around."

God, I love these two. Emmitt's face is beginning to turn purple, and I'm having a hard time suppressing laughter.

"You're with these children?" Emmitt screeches.

My brows furrow. Why the fuck would he care? I mean, I would never date Taz or Vicy, they are family. I love them like little brothers. Nothing more. I know they feel the same way. But the way Emmitt sounded so offended at the thought of me dating them makes me bristle.

Ozzy speaks before any of us can say a thing. "Considering they are over the age of eighteen, that makes them adults." I look over my shoulder to find him walking in our direction. My eyes follow as he passes us, stopping right in front of Emmitt. "Also, I feel like Lizzy's relationships are none of your business, let alone her sex life."

Emmitt's about to say something when one of my other boys interrupts. "And considering her reaction when you called her Izzy, which isn't her name by the way, you should probably leave."

Tuck. I love calling him Bobby though. He told me, "You sound like my big sister when you say my name." So I try to throw it in when he is doing great in practice. He makes his way over to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ozzy.

I'm about to tell the boys to chill when I notice that Emmitt looks like he's about to pee his pants. With the look on his face, there could be a debate between that and shitting his pants. But I'm interrupted yet again.

Gilly walks past me as he says, "Yeah. You've got this strange smell about you. Like lies and betrayal."

"Maxy," I say with a laugh. He looks over at me and winks. I am the only one allowed to call him that. He told me little sisters are allowed to give their big brothers nicknames. That's how he treats me too. Like a little sister. I love and hate it.

Merc and Fenni are right below Perri in age. Both live outside of the common house. I don't have as close a relationship with the three of them because of that. But that doesn't matter right now.

Merc and Fenni flank Vicy and Taz. The former stand with their arms crossed over their chests, looking admittingly scary. "Seems you should get a scurry on," Merc says with a scowl.

"I'd advise you not to come around again," Fenni growls.

Emmitt surprisingly seems to debate whether or not to run. I'm not sure if it's pride or pure stupidity, but he straightens his spine and looks around Ozzy, to me. "Guess this was a bad time. Maybe we can catch up another time, Izzy."

"Not her fucking name," Tuck growls.

He looks to Tuck before bending in an odd-looking bow. "Right. Well, next time." He turns and briskly walks away. And when I say briskly, I mean walks fast enough that it's just below a jog.

There are a few moments of quiet before I burst into peals of laughter. The boys all turn to watch me as I hold my stomach from laughing so hard. Tears are streaming down my face, and I try to pull myself together. I'm not sure when the laughter turns to sobs, but Vicy and Taz are right there to wrap me in a hug.

"We've got you, Roe Roe," Vicy says softly.

"It's okay. It's okay," Taz tries to soothe.

My arms tighten around Vicy. "Thank you, guys."

Vicy clicks his tongue. "No reason to thank us."

"We will always have your back, Liz," Perri says from beside me.

"Like you'll always have ours," Gilly chimes in.

Sniffing, I say, "Fucking hell. I love you guys."

There's a unison of, "Love you too."

I pull away as I wipe my face. God, I hate crying. "Ugh! Okay, boys let's go get ready!" I make a shooing motion. "Go! Go!"

They snort and file out. Everyone except Mac and Dean. "I'll be fine," I say with a smile.

They exchange a look before turning back to me. They begin walking briskly in my direction, and I arch a brow. "What are you two up to?"

"Gonna make sure that smile stays on your face the rest of the night," Oli says before turning to Dean. "You locked the door?"

"Yep," Dean says with a grin.

I begin backing up. "What are you two up to? The game starts in a few hours. You need to get ready. Coach will want to meet you guys in ten minutes."

Oli hums. "You hear that, Dean? Ten minutes. Think that's long enough to make her scream?"

"Wait, what?" I screech.

Dean darkly grins. "Oh, I can make her scream. The question is, can you make sure she's quiet enough that we don't get caught?"

Oli smirks. "A challenge has been made. Challenge accepted."

I stare wide-eyed as Dean kneels in front of me. "Then let the game begin. Are you ready for us, Lizzy?"