300 Days With The Alpha Beta Triplets
GETTING HIM ON THE TEAM

Bella:

The entire day had been filled with tension as Fae spent it facing the panel because Mr. Ezekiel wouldn't let go of the case. I had no clue about his granddaughter or what Fae had done to her, but it worked out for me. Even though I felt bad for him getting hurt, I was happy I won.

"... I was just so tired of getting beaten and bullied by her, so I decided to stand up for myself." I concluded the story, leaving the twins and Hazel in stunned silence.

Of course, I didn't mention the part where I compelled Ryder. I still couldn't tell if they would accept me the way I was, so I left that out.

"You did nothing wrong, Bella. Because of you, we won't be seeing her face for a while, maybe even a lifetime. She has hurt many people, so she deserves whatever she gets." Finn, who sat on my left, reached out for my hand. I forced a smile onto my face.

We continued our lunch, digressing into different topics until the subject of the match came up.

"The match is coming up in a couple of hours. That will help us relax for the day, at least," Kai said, and everyone nodded. My eyes drifted to Ryder, who sat in front of me, and I noticed his face was downcast.

I hurried with my food and then got to my feet.

"I'll meet you guys at the dorm. I think I forgot my... my journal in my locker, and I have to get it," I said, then bolted, trying not to look back at Hazel.

"Where are you going?" Ryder asked, but I ignored him, making my way out of the cafe.

I rushed back to school and headed to the boys' locker room, hoping to replace the coach. My prayers were answered because the moment I stood in front of the blue door, someone pulled it open, and the tall, muscular, bearded man with a cap walked out.

"Coach," I said nervously, taking a few steps back, and he smiled at me, showing off a unique dimple engraved on his left cheek.

"Is there a problem, miss?" he asked, placing both hands on his waist, his eyes focused on me.

"No, it's just..." I held my gaze, then said the words to him, causing him to blink and take a step backward.

"Goodbye, Coach," I said with a smile on my lips as I turned and walked away.

**

The time for the match approached faster than ever, and I got dressed with Hazel.

"It's almost unbelievable that we're attending this match without Fae bugging our lives. A dream come true!" she exclaimed, and I chuckled as I reapplied my lip gloss in front of the mirror.

Just then, a knock came at our door. I could tell it was my mates because I could smell them. I tossed my lip gloss into my tiny purse, which I slung on my shoulder, and walked to the door, opening it up for them.

"You look great," Kai said, and I turned away to hide the heat on my

face.

"Yeah, we could literally ditch the game just to watch you," Finn added, and I rolled my eyes, walking out of the room.

"Enough with the flattery. Let's focus on the game," I said, looking down at my feet.

I had three mates, and I would have to deal with their desires and urges from time to time, so I didn't know what to feel at the moment.

Ryder, who was behind them, remained quiet. I could tell why, but it made me a bit happy because I couldn't wait for the surprise on his face when he found out he would head the match.

We all left, with the triplets behind Hazel, like they were our bodyguards, which made me feel safe. The entire school stared when we walked onto the field and made our way to the bleachers.

Hazel grabbed my hand, whispering into my ear, "If I could get a wish from the moon goddess, I would want to be you. Your mates might have hurt you, but they haven't acted like you didn't exist, and they keep trying to get in your good books."

Her words made me feel sad, but I tried not to let it show. It made me feel terrible because I had been so caught up in my life that I forgot about her predicament.

"I'm sorry, Hazel," I said, and she squeezed my hand tightly without a word.

I was about to speak when the coach walked up to us.

"Ashcroft! Where have you been?" he asked, and we turned around to face Ryder, whose gloomy face brightened a

bit.

"I..."

"The match begins in a few minutes, and the team has been waiting for their captain," he said. Everyone tried hard to close their mouths while I tried to contain the joy within me. "What are you waiting for? Come on, jog up!" the coach's tone changed as he blew his whistle.

Ryder jogged away with him while we made our way to the bleachers.

When we got there, we spotted four empty seats, and the twins made their way to them. Then I spotted another one with two empty seats in the second and third rows.

"We should go there," I suggested, grabbing Hazel's hand.

It would be nice to sit between my mates and fantasize about them, but I had to be there for my friend.

"Behind or..."

"Behind," Finn said before I could finish.

"Yeah, if we can't sit with you, we would appreciate watching you the entire time," they said, and a smile crept up my face.

Shortly, we got settled in, and the match began. I made sure to keep Hazel engaged, to keep her mind off Noah.

While the game was ongoing, my phone beeped with a message from Fae. "Getting rid of me? Chic move, but we shall see who has the last laugh."

I tossed the phone into my purse, wondering if I should be worried or not.