Page 34 of Power Play

She narrowed her eyes to slits. “Momma bears should not be messed with. We’re helping Taylor find a job. It has nothing to do with you.”

“Of all the places you have connections, you had to bring her here?” I stared each of them down.

“We like her,” Sydney said with a shrug.

“Plus she’s single.” Colby wagged her brows. “I happen to know a few single men that might like to meet her.”

This was too much. I walked away from them before they got completely under my skin. I shouldn’t have been so surprised. They brought Taylor to every game, and they were masters at getting their way. A small part of me appreciated that they were helping her, but did they have to move her here? The thought of her dating one of my teammates was enough to make me want to punch the nearest wall.

Carmen stood on the outskirts of the group, flirting with one of the young guys from the farm team. I felt nothing. No jealousy. If she left with him, I wouldn’t care.

That was all I needed to know. I had to end things with her, in a way she understood. Being vague about needing space obviously didn’t work. What was I going to have to say? I never want to see you again? I feel nothing when I see you? I can hook you up with that guy if you’re interested? Please delete my number, oh, and my mom’s?

The words didn’t matter so much as long as I did it soon.

I made my way to my parents who were still holding Taylor hostage. Her eyes met mine, and I tried to silently let her know I was sorry.

Mom noticed me and spun around. “Why didn’t you tell us she was here?”

“This is a surprise to me too,” I grumbled.

“I don’t think we’ve met. Carmen.” Carmen appeared at my side and offered her hand to Taylor. “I’m Jason’s girlfriend.”

Taylor’s eyebrow rose, but she recovered quickly. “I’m Taylor.”

Okay, it was time to talk to Carmen. There were plenty of people here. She could find a ride home with someone else, anyone else.

13

Taylor

His girlfriend?

A heads-up from him that he had a girlfriend, or the girls, or literally anyone would have been great. I shouldn’t have come up to the parking garage with the girls. They said they were going to wait for the guys to come out, and I tried to get out of it, but Sydney reminded me she was my ride, and I didn’t have much of a choice.

Why didn’t any of them mention Carmen? I locked eyes with Chloe, and she shook her head. Did she not know? Did any of them?

Was that why Carmen wasn’t sitting with the Pride? Why she hadn’t come to any of the games in Raleigh? Jason did look rather uncomfortable.

“Taylor was Jason’s––”

“We go way back.” I interrupted Jason’s mom before she could make this more uncomfortable. It was clear Jason didn’t share much with anyone around him.

Carmen’s smile was stiff as her eyes roamed over me. I wanted to tell her I wasn’t a threat, but that wouldn't have been much fun. If she wanted to get jealous, that was on her.

She was pretty much my exact opposite, and I had a tough time seeing how Jason could be interested in her. She was tall, although she was wearing heels. Which was a problem in and of itself. Who wore heels to a sporting event? Everyone knew there were long lines, stairs, and crowds to navigate. Her long, shiny black hair was pin-straight, and her skin was remarkably pale, given it was mid-June. Did she ever see the sun? Oh no, a vampire. I bit back a smile.

The best part was that she wasn’t wearing Jason’s jersey. Even I was dressed to cheer for the Fury. Granted, it was one of Brandon Cullen’s since he had a few extra around the house, but still. I made the effort.

“Oh really? Jason’s never mentioned you.” The vampire looked up at the man in question.

He was panicking. His eyes flickered around the group before resting on me. “Taylor lived next door to my sponsor’s house in high school.”

“Sponsor? Are you in AA?”

I choked back a laugh.

“No, a sponsor is the family you live with if you’re from out of town in the Major Juniors,” his dear mom explained.