Page 66 of Power Play

“It’s not like it’s that important,” Cassie says dramatically. “I just told the guy from my communications class that I’d go to one of his games, and he got me tickets for this one. I was looking forward to watching it. Please? I’ll buy the drinks after?” she begs.

“Don’t say that like a question, and we have a deal. But I’m not getting bottom-shelf tequila tonight. If you’re dragging me to my brother’s hockey game, you better buy me top-shelf alcohol,” I say sternly.

“Seriously? You’ll come with me?” she asks, shocked.

“Yeah, just promise me I don’t have to see my mother. I’m not in the mood for that bullshit when I’ve had a great couple of days,” I sigh.

“I promise. We will just go to the game and get drinks after. Deal? Besides, if we see that ungrateful witch, I’ll put her in her place. I haven’t been properly laid for a while, so I’m feeling a little bit feisty.”

“Fine. But I’m going back to bed, are we meeting there or going together?” I ask.

“Meet me there at seven? I have work till six, so that’ll be easiest,” Cassie says cheerfully, obviously happy she convinced me.

“Sounds good. Now go away. I still have a couple hours till my class,” I say, rolling back over.

After Cassie leaves, I fall asleep in like 0.3 seconds, the exhaustion of this week finally caught up to me, even with the excitement of potentially seeing Rex tonight, even if it’s just to smile at him from afar.

* * *

By the time the game comes around, I’m rested, have studied for two of my finals, and have finished a paper for my other class, but I’m still nervous as fuck. Walking into the arena, I can’t help that I keep looking over my shoulder. Whether to avoid my brother or the possibility of seeing my mother, or maybe it’s the excitement of possibly seeing Rex for a minute. I’m not sure.

Grabbing my phone, I decide to text Rex, letting him know I’m here as I head to my seat.

Hey : ) Just wanted to let you know I’m at the hockey game with Cassie. She dragged me with her.

Even though Cassie told me to meet her at seven, I got here an hour early. Anxiety will do that to you. I figure Rex is busy with the team right now so I’m surprised when my phone goes off before it’s even back in my purse.

Rex

Wait, you’re here? Where?

Heading to our seat. Apparently, we’re down by the glass on the south side.

When the dots pop up immediately, showing me that he’s already responding, I can’t help the smile that takes over my face. It’s nice knowing he’s excited to talk to me.

Rex

Do you know where the tunnel is?

Tunnel? Huh?

Rex

The team’s tunnel. Down to the offices and locker rooms.

Yeah, I know where it is... I used to meet Max down there sometimes.

Rex

I’ll meet you at the bottom of the tunnel. Come here, now.

And don’t worry, all the players are in the locker room for the next twenty minutes, so it’ll just be us.

Looking around, I’m almost to our aisle of seats, so the idea of going to sit down instead crosses my mind, briefly, of course. Rex is a smart man though, and he probably assumes I’d be on the fence since I already hate being in the arena, so he sends me a picture.

A picture I probably shouldn’t have opened out in the middle of a crowd of families with their kids running around. It’s definitely NSFW.

But that picture? That was enough to change my mind and start walking towards the tunnel immediately.

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