Even when the game had already begun, Nathaniel could not concentrate. His mind turned to the discussion before, bothering him incessantly.
Luckily he managed to prevent Jake from arguing with Bianca. Considering that she was someone chosen by the alpha's parents to be his mate, it would not be good for Jake and Bianca to get on bad terms.
At least for now.
Bianca as Jake's fiancée, had more absurd idea than that? Nathaniel's stomach would come to turn. Although he does not know the details of the fight between Jake and his parents, the alpha made it clear the other day that he suspected the whole marriage story. And the fact that she told him about having the Mckenzie permission...
Doesn't that mean they already know about Nathaniel? When Jake had commented on that, it seemed so surreal. However, now it was plausible.
Maybe Nathaniel should wait for the Mckenzie to move first? Not that he could do great things, but exposing the truth will certainly make them retreat.
A laugh from his side dispersed the thoughts of the omega.
— Pfft! But what idiots! They will never be able to hold the cuts of Matheus.
— They are really going with everything — Carolina pondered surprise — But why didn't the coach put Jake on the court? They could win soon.
— It's his punishment, that old man holds a grudge.
Hah... Why did he keep thinking about problems when he came to have fun? Nathaniel still had a lot to learn.
— Have you ever seen Jake play, joker?
— Only in training.
— So this is why he is anxious to step on the court. To show off.
— I know he plays well, that's clear in practice. Would it make a difference to see him playing against other people?
— Of course it does! — Fernanda screamed.
— If you notice well, during training we are usually more relaxed since we are playing against our friends and teammates. But in competition, your rivals are unknown people, not to mention the pressure.
Pressure... Nathaniel remembered feeling anxious the first time he stepped into the ring. He was nervous about being his first fight, having so many people watching and afraid of losing the fight. Despite the months he spent training and advice he received from Coach Potter and Ares, none of them could ease the anxiety he felt when it came time.
Returning to pay attention to the match, Nathaniel wondered if they felt the same. Even if it is different sports, that anxious feeling should be the same, right?
Still... Jake was relaxed as he watched the game. Even though he was in reserve, his smile didn't come off his face. Even when the replacements were made, he whispered in his ear and pointed to the court as if advising.
— I wonder how he can look so relaxed.
Carolina crossed her arms also observing the dark-haired alpha.
— It's his confidence, I think. Jake knows he's a good athlete. And I heard that even though he was out for two years, he didn't lose form.
— What envy of this bastard. If I stay a holiday without exercising I feel strange when I train again.
Hm, maybe Nathaniel's boyfriend was, in fact, amazing. More incredible than he imagined.
— Nanda, there is a strange guy looking at us for some time.
Fernanda looked around discreetly, noticing the man leaning against the wall behind his row. Quickly she turned back again, and waited a few minutes before leaning over to the other two and whispering.
— Hey, joker, you know the figure back there?
Nathaniel just peeked from the corner, and just seeing the bag and a black strap hanging was enough for him to know who it was.
— A journalist, must be the same one who approached me last time.
— Fuck... When Jake is right I get all shivers.
— How scary, I didn't expect anyone to even approach. He has been watching us since the beginning of the match.
— What should we do? Move?
— Let on me — Fernanda smiled.
The alpha tore her bag taking a thermos. Because she had drunk, the other two did not bother so much, since the scream of cheerleading stole all the attention. Rapoxia got the lead on the scoreboard, about to waive a third set breakout.
Once again the ball went into the air and the players tried hard not to drop it. One more point and Rapoxia took the win. That tension and despair stole the air even from the fans, who longed for the point that would arrive at any moment. The block strove to prevent the attack, Guilherme threw himself on the ground to save the ball and keep it in the air, Matheus jumped as high as he could and tried to aim at points where the block could not reach.
When the point came... All the cheers screamed.
Fernanda also celebrated by throwing her arms up, and thus pouring the orange juice on Nathaniel's shirt.
— My gosh! My bad, I'm so sorry, it's my fault.
— It's okay, it happens.
— I think I must have some tissues... — Carolina started to turn her purse, but Fernanda stopped her.
— I have there in the car, come on.
And in a hurry, the alpha pulled Nathaniel by the wrist as quickly as possible taking advantage of the crowd noise.
— Wait, you don't have to bother with that...
— Relax, joker, it's just to get lost.
Blinking stunned, Nathaniel was surprised by the cleverness of the alpha. Letting himself be dragged, the two went to the gym hall, finally managing to stay out of the eyes of the alleged journalist.
— Did we lose him? — Asked Fernanda.
— I think so, thank you.
— Don't thank me, it cost your shirt.
Right, now he had a dark stain on his gray shirt.
— Soon will dry...
A snore interrupted the conversation, and Fernanda opened a embarrassed smile as she hugged her own belly.
— Sorry, must be time for my snack.
Swallowing the laughter, Nathaniel checked his pocket and looked around.
— Can I buy you a snack as thanks for the genius plan?
— Whoa, whoa!
And so he was dragged for the second time, going to a diner across the street. Fernanda was spontaneous and playful, which reminded a lot of the other Jake's friends. It's like everyone has that relaxed aura that makes you comfortable. Since he met his boyfriend, Nathaniel kept meeting brilliant people.
The snack chosen was a combo, and Nathaniel certainly did not miss the opportunity to eat too. He was not so hungry, but the excitement of the alpha caught him in some way. In the end, both chose a table away and waited for the request.
— Isn't it better to send a message to your friend? She might be worried about our delay.
— Relax, her radar will bring her to us — Fernanda smiled, supporting the elbows on the table — But hey, what's going on between you and Jake?
— We're... dating.
— Really?! — Shouted the girl slapping the table — Don't joke! It counts everything!
Nathaniel expected a surprise reaction, but not so positive. Nathaniel was wary of not knowing how frank Jake had been with his friends. What if he ended up saying something he shouldn't?
— Well, it was no big deal. We... Had a few moments together and ended up in this.
— Kitten, with Jake nothing is by chance. I'm sure he was approaching you softly to give the boat.
— He is nothing soft.
— But I'm glad he's finally out of the deep end.
— Deep end?
— Yeah, when he broke up with his ex-boyfriend, Jake got in total shit. We even commented that this is because that guy gives too much to what he feels.
Well, it wasn't a lie. Nathaniel had already noticed that Jake used to be expressive and say what he felt with such certainty. It was his certainty that made him ashamed, the alpha made it seem so easy.
That was one of the thousand and one Jake's qualities that Nathaniel loved.
What the joker did not know, was that his expression made it clear how much he liked it. Fernanda looked at him and smiled satisfied with that silent answer.
— You know, I've known Jake for three years and I always thought he would remain discouraged. I mean, it would take a monstrous force to motivate Jake, you know?
— Unfortunately I'm not the reason he went back to college.
— But is the reason for him to continue now that he returned — The panel near the counter rang a new password, and Fernanda raised the receipt — Let me take.
Fernanda's words are embedded in Nathaniel's mind and heart. This made him happy since Jake was also the reason for the omega being in that place. If it wasn't for his boyfriend, Nathaniel would probably just watch the game in a corner just because of his brother. He would be handling his problems alone in order to avoid involving Guilherme.
Even came to admire their scars, for remembering every moment that Jake admired them.
Taking the mask off his face, Nathaniel took a deep breath looking around. No customer paid attention to him. He felt like an ordinary and anonymous person who only lived his quiet life. There were no journalists, rich families and not a ghost haunting him.
As soon as Fernanda returned with the snack tray, the two began to eat while alpha told about when she met her friends and the various moments they spent together. They had already traveled to the beach, had already left for camping, even touched the madness of going to the state capital just to watch a show!
There were so many adventures that Nathaniel could hardly believe.
And, of course, the conversation had its big end when suddenly a group enters the diner. The woody pheromones already reported his arrival, yet Nathaniel pretended not to have seen.
— Nath!
It was only when he heard that beautiful voice calling for his nickname, that Nathaniel turned and waved to the group of newly arrived athletes.
— We are here.
Jake jumped on Nathaniel's back squeezing him in a hug.
— Fuck, I almost died of heart. Hey, Nandinha, you know that's kidnapping, huh.
The alpha shrugged and then looked at the omega.
— Didn't I tell you? The radar always works.
— Ah, Nath, I want a burger too — Guilherme grumbled.
— Let's put together some tables and order, all of us is hungry here! — Matheus directed to other friends.
In an instant, the diner became noisy with the arrival of foxes. Jake did not take long to pull a chair to the side of Nathaniel, looking all anxious.
— What is it?
— Nothing at all...
— You're wanting something, so you're staring at me. Tell me what it is.
— Wow, am I that obvious?
— I wouldn't be your boyfriend if I didn't know you that well.
That line came out so naturally that even Nathaniel was surprised. And precisely because he knew that Jake would be smiling so happily next to him, the cheeks of the omega turned pink with shame.
It seems that Nathaniel was being affected by the happiness virus.
— I like it, say again? — Jake asked softly, passing his arm on the shoulders of the omega.
— No.
— Oh, come on! It was beautiful.
Nathaniel shoved the burger into Jake's mouth and smiled afterwards.
— Have we reached the stage where we share food?
Jake blinked and then agreed several times, which made Nathaniel laugh. How could he be so cute?! even with his mouth smeared with cheddar cheese.
Wiping the alpha's mouth, Nathaniel realized how well he felt. Everyone at the table had fun while the couple remained in their pink world. It was the kind of situation that Nathaniel believed he would never live.
After all, who would be interested in a monster?
If Nahtaniel could see a version of himself from three years ago, he would probably not believe the happiness that the future awaited.
All thanks to one person.
— Thank you Jake, for accepting to be my alpha.
The thank-you was a whisper that only Jake heard. Sneakily, the alpha's hand held the omega's so his fingers would be interwinded.
— That's a low blow, Nath. If you keep saying things like that, I'll kiss you in front of everyone.
— Then eat fries that passes, your problem is hunger.
— With you feeding me, I will be satisfied soon.
— Hey, Jake — Matheus subtly hit the table, attracting the couple's attention, and then discreetly pointed with his chin — Looks like he has visitors.
When the two turned back, they found a woman with voluminous hair and luxurious clothes that did not match the place. Beside her, Bianca seemed annoyed with the whole team there.
Just by the similarity in facial features and the same color of eyes, Nathaniel already had a guess about who she was. But the confirmation came from your boyfriend.
— Hey there, mom.