Page 37 of Power Play

I let out a laugh. Carrie and Aaron were avid hockey fans, and it was taking a lot of threats to keep him from flying out to visit “his favorite sister-in-law.”

“I think hanging out with the girls have made them more human to me. They’re just my friends’ husbands and boyfriends.”

“I’m not going to mention any of this to Aaron.” She giggled. “Are they as cute in person?”

“Carrie!” I laughed with her. “Of course they are.”

“Sorry for the distraction. Tell me what happened last night.”

I took a deep breath. “Jason’s family was there.”

A pause. “Did … did they … did you talk to them?”

“Yeah,” I said, my voice barely a whisper. “They were so nice and excited to see me again. They asked me to go to dinner with them this week.”

“Oh.” She sounded as shocked as I’d been.

While Jason had been playing in high school, they visited several times for some of the bigger home games. I went to their house three times as well. I was often around when they called or had video chats with Jason. They were supportive of us being together as long as his playing wasn’t impacted.

I really, really liked them. His mom always made me feel included, and his dad took an interest in helping me get into school.

Jason’s disappearance from my life was devastating, but the salt in the wound was losing his family too. Seeing them last night, their reactions and invitation to see them again, was overwhelming. I hadn’t let myself think of them for so long. Even when I ran into Jason last week, I kept their memories locked away.

“Did they mention––”

“No.” I cut her off. “We didn’t really talk very much, but they didn’t bring it up.”

“Good. You don’t have to talk about it, you know.”

I nodded. “Yeah, I know.”

“Maybe it will be good for you to go to dinner with them. It’s a chance to catch up, but also get some closure.”

She was right. Even though I wanted her to give me an excuse to avoid them, I knew that wasn’t what I should do.

“As long as he doesn’t bring his girlfriend, it won’t be too bad.”

She gasped. “Excuse me, what?”

“Oh yeah, I met Miss Carmen last night.”

“Wow. Taylor, I don’t know what to say. He never mentioned a girlfriend when you saw each other in Raleigh?”

“Nope.” I closed my eyes and tried to push the image of the flawless vampire away.

“Maybe they’re not that serious?”

I rubbed my face. “Maybe. He didn’t seem super thrilled that she was there, but she sat with his family for the game. That seems serious to me.”

“Hm. Something isn’t adding up there. Maybe you can ask him about it at dinner.” There was a hint of teasing in her voice.

“You’re enjoying this too much.”

“Me? Never. I just want my little sister to be happy.”

I sighed. “I am happy.”

“You’re homeless, jobless, and crashing at a near stranger’s house in a city you’ve never been to before.”