Page 105 of On the Power Play

"Neither is sleeping over. Seems like we’ve already been breaking the rules."

Delia's insides liquified. They were instant soup plunged into boiling water. She swallowed hard and tugged on the fingers of her gloves. "I'll-I think I can watch Bond with you in Edmonton."

He grinned, his lashes brushing his cheeks when he blinked. "Okay, then. Monday."

Delia nodded, then watched as he retreated through the now empty tunnel. She turned and walked back to Mary on Bambi legs. "So. Jack."

Mary smirked, and as they cheated closer to the boards to watch the players warm up, Delia could've sworn she saw Alvin brush a hand over Mary's backside.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Jack pulled up to Monahan's house fifteen minutes late. He had no excuse. It was Sunday, and he had nothing to do all morning, but it'd taken him an hour to drag himself out of bed and into the shower.

The past three days had been a whirlwind. After his goal and assist on Thursday night against the Sharks, the press 'opportunities' were relentless. It had only been doable to meet Lisa's expectations in that regard because of the team at Big Rick. After the game, they’d insisted Jack take his remaining PTO as part of his two weeks notice. He'd gotten a little choked up when Ben's text came through.

This is bigger than Big Rick.

Remember I didn't chap your ass about your lost receipts for that Vancouver trip when you're a regular on the roster

He was done. Paid for the time off. And jobless after the playoffs if he didn't get an addendum to his contract. Adrenaline poured into his veins every time he remembered that fact.

Since Delia was slammed finishing her recording with that TikToker so she could come to Edmonton, Jack had leaned in to everything Blizzard. He'd done the media appearances, eaten at the rink and hit the gym with the team. He was finally starting to feel like he belonged, and it couldn't have come at a better time.

Still, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. About her voice before the game. About the way she’d run down the stairs and kissed him. Ever since that night in her bedroom, the energy between them had shifted. He knew they had a contract, but it didn’t seem relevant in the least. He wanted to see her. Based on the fact that she’d accepted his non-contractually obligated invitation to Edmonton, he thought maybe she felt the same.

Jack stepped out onto the sidewalk. The sun peeked over the Rockies, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange behind the brick facade of Monahan's house. He couldn't help but compare his own guest bedroom situation as he walked up the wide concrete steps.

His heart beat with anticipation. Not for the movie night, but for Monday night. After the game. When Delia would be waiting for him, and?—

"Hey," a voice called out behind him. Jack turned to see Liam loping up the walkway. He was a mess. His shirt askew, boxers hanging out of the top of his jeans, his hair wild beneath a beat up Maple Leafs cap and the same dark circles under his eyes.

The coaches were pushing Liam hard, trying to “draw out his potential,” but so far his performance was on a decline. Monahan reamed him out between second and third, and he hadn't gotten a single shift the rest of the night.

Nobody talked about it. Mostly because Liam had changed and pitter-pattered before Jack had even dried off from his shower.

"Hey." Jack grabbed his hand and clapped him on the shoulder. "Didn't think I'd see you here."

Liam stepped back and looked at his feet. "Yeah."

"Wait, did they tell you it was porn?"

Liam chuckled, but the joke tasted bitter on Jack’s tongue, considering. Just that morning he'd found and reported ten more clips of Delia that had popped up overnight. I can’t make sex tape jokes anymore. Jack almost grinned. He turned toward the door, then thought twice.

He turned back to find Liam was staring at his hands, tapping his foot on the concrete. "Are we going to talk about it?" Jack asked.

Liam’s right hand shook as he slid it into his pocket. “Talk about what?”

“You know what.”

Liam’s eyes flashed. “I don’t have anything to?—”

“Don’t give me that, MacDonald. I’d love to tell you this is the last time I’m going to ask you what the hell you're taking before and after games, but that’s not the truth. You’re shitting all over this opportunity, and I doubt it’s on purpose. I’m trying to help you.”

Liam clenched his jaw. He seemed like he was about to boil over. Then his face twisted as he drew a sharp breath.

Jack took a step closer. "Pills?" Liam nodded. "Fent?"

"No. I get the real stuff. I was too scared to fail testing."

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