Page 85 of Power Play

“I thought I would be too. But it felt good to hear him say all those things, and I can only hope I really get to have my brother back. As for Rex? I’ve decided I’m going to trust Max for once. So, I’m going to the game and will see what happens.” I shrug. “Either Max has somehow worked some magic, or I just get to enjoy the game. Either way, I’m refusing to let myself be sad today.”

“Well, I guess I’ll take this as a good sign. I’m just glad your brother finally realized everything your witch of a mother was doing. It doesn’t excuse everything he did, but it’s something,” she states.

“It is. Right now, it’s enough,” I admit.

“You going to let me get you ready for tonight? I’ve got an idea,” Cassie says with a smirk that has me wanting to run for the hills. But, I mean, why the hell not? I guess I’m just trusting everyone tonight.

Hopefully this all works out, but even if it doesn’t, I might as well look hot. Especially because I promised myself that if I see him, I’ll tell him how I feel. I don’t think I could face Rex again without telling him I love him. Even if he doesn’t feel the same. Even if I’ve destroyed what we had past repair, at least he’ll know he was loved.

Both him and Rory.

“Give me everything you’ve got, girl. I’m all yours tonight.”

23

REX

It’s the final game.

Two periods down and one to go. Thankfully, we’re ahead three to one. I should be excited. It’s my first year as the head coach, and we’re about to be champions. Well, as long as we can hold this lead through the third period.

Max invited the team to a bar down the street to either celebrate or drown our sorrows, depending on how the rest of this period goes. I promised I’d be there.

Yet, even with all of this happening around me, all I can think about is checking my phone again to see if she’s messaged me.

Max told me he gave her the letter last night. Wouldn’t she have said something by now?

Thankfully, I have an amazing assistant coach and great captains because my mind is so fucking far out of the game it’s insane. I don’t think I’ve ever sucked more at compartmentalizing my thoughts than I do right now. I’ve been thinking about what I’ll do if I see her again. How I’ll convince her to give us another shot. I’d tell her that I love her. That I love her so much that even if she’s not quite there yet, I’ll wait because I think she’s exactly what I need. She’s what I want and love more than anything in this world.

I’ve looked around the arena and at the seats that the team uses for their family, but I still haven’t seen her anywhere. At one point, I thought I saw Stella and Cassie heading down one of the rows, but I lost them in the crowd.

When that final buzzer goes off, the crowd goes crazy.

We just won. Five to two.

I look around, loving how the excitement of the crowd has taken over the entire arena as the red and blue confetti floats down from the rafters into the stands. The entire team is out celebrating on the ice while our opponents slip off to head into their locker room.

Fuck. We really did it.

We won the fucking championship! I didn’t think it would feel this exciting as a coach, but it’s exciting as hell knowing I helped get them here.

Max skates over, beaming like a kid in a candy store. “Think that did it, coach? Think I might’ve impressed ‘em?” he asks, knowing damn well that unless they’re blind or stupid, they’re impressed.

Three goals.

Max scored a damn hat trick in the final game of the championship.

“Fuck, yeah, I do. But I gotta tell ya, as much as I know you like the Cyclones, think about your options. I know there was at least one other team checking you out tonight, and they might just be local as well,” I tell him, so damn proud of what he’s done tonight.

He looks genuinely interested and excited, which is great because I’ve been working on a little something of my own with the New York Ice Hawks. Trevor and the guys were a little bummed when I told them, but honestly, I don’t think I could handle coaching all five of those fucking morons.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” he says with a smile. “I’m going to get back out on the ice with the guys for a bit. I just wanted to say thanks for everything. Also, remember, tonight. Nine o’clock.”

“I told you I’d be there. And don’t thank me. Y’all did the hard work. You earned this,” I tell him as I turn around. When I look up and start heading over to media, I see her.

Sawyer’s here.

I can’t focus on anything else in this building except the woman who’s already smiling back at me.

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