Page 5 of The Power Play

It doesn’t take long until Matt comes out, pulling Chandler against him with his arm around her shoulders already staking his claim for the night. I hold back my chuckle especially when Vince joins the rest of the group and subtly tries to take her for himself.

As much as I would like to live her life, it does sound exhausting at times and I can’t even stand one guy around for very long, let alone three.

“Good game guys,” I say excitedly.

“Thanks, we are going for two Stanley Cups in a row,” Matt replies proudly.

“If that’s what you’re wanting then you’re going to have to share the puck,” Chandler teases him. He can be a bit of a puck hog, but he also usually scores so I don’t see that changing.

“Bunny, if you want to coach, be my guest,” he jokes.

I take this interaction as my cue to head out. “I’m going to go, I’ll talk to you later, Chan.”

She pushes her way out of Matt’s arms to wrap me in a tight hug, “Take me with you,” she whispers.

I laugh, “I’ll help you run away and hide you on a remote island if you want, but I know it’s not.”

“Wait, aren’t you coming out with us?” Vince asks. Chandler and I look at each other, both not being informed about any plans.

“Where?” I question.

“Some club, it’s our first game of the season and we won, the whole team is going to celebrate,” he answers easily.

“The whole team? Like every single one of them?” I try to hide my cringe, but I don’t think I’m successful.

“Well, yeah,” Vince looks between Chandler and me. I can see him wondering how he should respond.

As much as I enjoy going out, I immediately shake my head, “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Come on, just for a little, please. For me,” Chandler puffs out her bottom lip and bats her eyelashes at me.

“I’m sure that works on those three,” I gesture to the three tall men standing around us. “But it’s not going to work on me.”

She just continues to look at me with those eyes and I can’t help but roll mine. “Fine, but I’m not staying long.” I relent.

4

I’d really like to know why Chandler’s friend keeps making faces at me all night. I don’t think I’ve ever spoken to her before so I’m not sure what her problem is with me.

Of course, I haven’t made it obvious that I’ve seen her. I’ve been focused on the game and then leaving. I know we are all going out because we won but I don’t plan on staying long. Sometimes if I’m in the mood totryto go home with someone I might, but not tonight. It’s not worth having the same outcome. Me not being able to go through with what she expects and having some awkward goodbye.

No, I’d rather go home, alone, and sleep. Maybe see if a certain someone is online. I shake my head at the thought. I need to stop relying on that as such a crutch for me and try to have areal-liferelationship again.

At some point I will, but tonight is not the night for altering my life. I’m going to go out, enjoy a drink with my teammates to celebrate winning and have a great, but short, time.

“You coming out tonight, Mann?” my teammate, Colver, asks as we get to our cars.

“No shit,” I respond, and he chuckles.

As I’m driving out of the parking garage there’s some fans waiting by the entrance hoping to meet some of the players. Sometimes I stop, if I notice my name or number somewhere. Sometimes I don’t bother, especially after a shitty loss.

Since it’s the first game I decide to stop and am immediately greeted by a group with varying ages, kids up to middle-aged men asking me to sign their jerseys and pucks. A couple of girls that look to be around my age also ask for selfies, which I oblige, before saying goodbye to all of them and driving in the direction of the club where the team is meeting.

Afterwards, I pull up to the club, Fuego, and park my car. I take off my jacket and tie before unbuttoning the top two buttons on my dress shirt to be a bit more comfortable. I get to the door and am let in right away. I spot a table in the VIP area with a couple of the guys from the team already with drinks in their hands and bottles at the table. They greet me by shoving a shot in my hand. I take it without argument, knowing I’m not going to drink much more than this.

The guys are looking around at the women and I know they are each mentally planning who they will be going home with tonight. I opt to grab a beer from the VIP bar and by the time I come back to the table more teammates have joined including Dumont, Collee and McQuaid. I don’t notice their girl or her friend with them as I sit back down.

“Did Chandler not want to come out with you guys?” I ask Dumont since he’s sitting closest to me.

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