Page 97 of The Power Play

“I fucking hate her,” I say loud enough that I’m sure she can hear me.

Chandler just shakes her head with silent laughter, “I try to ignore her most of the time now.”

I roll my eyes and groan, “I just hate it. She’s just jealous of you, obviously. Fuck, I’m still jealous of you, you know?”

Now she actually laughs, “Oh I know, you tell me all the time, but I’m pretty sure you have no reason to be anymore.”

“You think I can convince Charlie to add another guy?” I wiggle my eyebrows at her.

“I bet you could convince that man to do anything you want.”

I smile, looking down at the ice right as the man in question gets possession of the puck and sends it flying into the opponent’s net. We jump up screaming as the loud horn goes off to signal the goal. They show a closeup of him on the screen and I couldn’t hide the cheesy smile if I tried. I fucking love him so much.

The game progresses and Charlie gets another goal right before the first period ends so naturally, I scream, “Get a hat trick, baby!” To which I get thrown dirty looks by Rosie and her little friends, but I ignore them all.

It only takes three minutes into the second period when Charlie shoots a one-timer. It flies just above the goalie’s glove. Chandler and I scream as the entire arena erupts in cheers. We hug each other, jumping and screaming that he just got a hat trick.

Hats fly onto the ice, and everyone continues to celebrate. His teammates congratulate him as he goes to the bench. The camera shows him on the Jumbotron and all I can think about is how I’m going to jump that man the first chance I get.

I can’t get over how fucking happy he makes me. That man right there loves me. And I love him. That gorgeous, kind, amazing man who I almost didn’t give a chance. Who was afraid to let anyone get close to him, but for a different reason than me.

We both let each other in and it’s easily the best decision we could’ve made.

I get to call him mine.

After the game, in which the Dragon’s win four-to-two, Chandler and I head down to the tunnel to wait for the guys. I know it’s extremely likely Charlie will have to do a post-game interview because of his hat trick. This is all but confirmed when Brent, Vince, and Matt all come out before him.

They stick around while I wait and the second I see him walking out, wearing one of those sexy as shit suits, I can’t stop from jogging toward him and launching myself into his arms. Not giving a fuck who is around, who could see, what anyone thinks. I want everyone to know we are together. Which is why I wrap my arms and legs around him, before kissing him with everything I have.

And yet one of the things I love about him is that he instantly kisses me back with just as much passion. The way he deepens the kiss and the way I’m wrapped around him is definitely not appropriate for the public, but I don’t even care. I would fuck him right here and now if I could.

We are pulled from our own moment when I hear the whoops and hollers from the other guys. I look back over my shoulder to see Chandler swatting at Matt, who I know started it, but Vince’s shit eating grin makes it known he joined in as well.

I reluctantly detach myself from Charlie and we walk back over to the group. Hand in hand.

“So, it’s finally official then?” Vince asks with a raised eyebrow.

I look up at Charlie, smiling, especially when he answers, “Yup, this is my girl right here.” He wraps an arm around my shoulder, and I nuzzle into his side.

“Fucking finally,” Matt shakes his head.

“Oh, shut up,” Charlie chuckles.

“Okay, well we should head out. I’m sure you want to get back home,” Brent says and I’m actually thankful for the suggestion.

“Did you drive here?” Charlie asks me.

I shake my head, “Nope, I came with Chandler so I could leave with my boyfriend.”

“Boyfriend, huh? I like that,” he leans down, pressing his lips to mine once again.

“Get a room!” someone says, and by the way Chandler is swatting Matt once again, I know who it was.

“We are leaving,” Chandler announces, pulling me into a hug, whispering in my ear, “I’m so fucking happy for you.”

I just meet her smile as we pull apart and head to the garage. Charlie doesn’t waste any time getting me in his car and leaving the arena. Once on the road I speak up.

“You got a hat trick,” I smile.

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