Page 38 of Power Play

“Well, when you put it like that it sounds pretty bad. But honestly, I’m okay.”

“I hope so.”

“I have more friends now than I ever have before. They’re super supportive and inclusive, and even though it’s only been like a week, I feel like I belong with them.”

“And their hockey-playing husbands?” she added.

“Their husbands do make things more interesting, but I am a little concerned about one thing.”

“What?” she asked.

“I’m pretty sure I heard a few of the Pride whispering about which guys on the team are single. I got a feeling they’re planning something involving me.” I didn’t turn around or join in when I heard some of the women at the game discussing the players’ relationship statuses. I’d cross that bridge when I had to and not a moment before.

“Oh!” She squealed. “Do you know which guys they are? I’m going to look them up.”

“No.” It was too late. I shouldn’t have put the idea in her head. “I’m not dating any of them. That’s not why I’m here.”

“It doesn’t have to be one or the other. You can still start a career and date.”

“I just don’t want to.”

“Famous last words, dear.” There was a sound I couldn’t identify. “The animals are alive and requesting to be fed. I’ve got to go, but let me know how the dinner goes.”

“I will. Love you.”

We hung up and I tossed my phone on the bed. I really didn’t come all this way for the women to set me up. If I was interested in dating, I could handle that on my own. I wasn’t in a place to bring someone else into my life. I needed to get myself figured out first.

14

Jason

I scanned the room for anything that could be used as a weapon. The café seemed like a safe choice when I asked Carmen to meet me there. A nice, neutral zone. I couldn’t ask her to come over to my place because she might never leave. I didn’t want to go to her place either. Not where she had the upper hand.

I asked my family to give me an hour before we were meeting for lunch. I doubted I’d need that long. I was hoping this conversation would only last a few minutes at most.

She was late, as usual, and her wide grin told me she had no idea what was coming.

“Hi, babe.” She went in for a kiss, but I turned just in time for her to meet my cheek.

“Hey.” I sat and slid a nonfat vanilla latte toward her.

“Oh, you remembered. How sweet.”

Yeah, that was me.

“So, I’ve been thinking––”

“Me too. After meeting your parents and getting along with them so well … Oh and your teammates. I really think they like me. I understand now why you didn’t introduce me until last night. A couple of them kept flirting. You didn’t want to create any jealousy on the team, right?”

My head was already spinning. Zero percent of what she said was true.

“But now that I’ve met all the important people in your life, I think you’re right.”

“I’m right?” I asked. “About what?”

“You wanted to take things slow, you needed space through the finals, but now that’s all over. Now we can take the next step.”

I raised a brow, curious as to what her next words would be. “And that would be?”