Page 47 of The Power Play

“And why not?” I ask, trying to deflect onto him so maybe the guys will leave me alone.

“She’s with someone else right now,” he looks down and I can see that isn’t a fun topic for him and now I feel like an asshole for asking.

“Sounds like you can’t help Mann anyway. Have you fucked her yet?” McQuaid brings the attention back to me.

I shake my head, done with all of this. “Never mind. Fuck all of you, this never came up, just drop it and don’t tell Chandler shit.”

I put my headphones back in, wanting to drown everyone out once again.

After a few minutes to myself an earbud is pulled from my ear, I turn to glare at Dumont, he speaks quietly to not draw the attention of everyone again. “Look, just go with the flow. She may not be big on relationships, but that doesn’t mean shewould never have one. I know that’s more your forte, I’m not an idiot, you never hook up with anyone. I mean if you have, you haven’t made it obvious. Just don’t use her, and don’t hurt her. But maybe having some fun is the key to more with her.”

“That seems backwards.”

“Does it? Or would you rather prove to her you’re worth keeping around?”

I guess he’s got me there. I put my headphones back in and think about what he said. Try to just have fun, go with the flow. Maybe fun is the key to more with her. DoIeven want more again? I don’t know, but what I do know is that I want to keep her around me as long as I possibly can.

20

I’m at Chandler’s house to watch the Dragon’s away game. It’s actually her boyfriend, Brent’s, house that they all moved into at the end of the last season. I know they are talking about building something custom to match their…needs a bit better.

I’m enjoying the large sectional, sprawling my body out while Chandler is accepting the pizza from the delivery guy at the door. The delicious smell wafts through the open space as she brings it to the kitchen.

“Come and get it,” she calls out to me.

“I’m too comfy, bring it to me,” I call back.

She scoffs, “Okay princess.”

“Damn right I am!”

She brings me a plate with slices of both cheese and pepperoni because I don’t like to pick between the two and she knows this. It’s what best friends are for. I proceed to stuff myface with the greasy goodness. We have the TV on, even though the game doesn’t start for another twenty minutes.

My eyes catch on some pregame material which is showing some of the guys going to a hospital.

“What is this?” I ask, my mouth full of food as I grab for the remote to turn it up.

“The team does a bunch of charity work, this is from a couple weeks ago,” Chandler answers. I’m fixated on what is on the screen.

Several of the team members are in their jerseys interacting with kids, bringing gifts, sitting with them, playing games with them. It’s the sweetest thing. When they show Charlie smiling as he is sitting at a table drawing with a little boy around seven years old, I about keel over.

“Wipe your drool,” Chandler smarts.

I wave her off while keeping my eyes fixated ahead of me. They continue to talk about the charity work the Dragons do and show clips of various team members, some I recognize, some I don’t. I’m the most focused on Charlie. His smile is so sweet as he plays with these kids. It’s making me feel so much in my stomach.

Is this what butterflies feel like?

I can’t look away and when it is finally over, and they show the announcers talking about the game I’m still stuck on what we just saw.

“You okay?” Chandler asks, and I can sense the teasing tone of her voice.

“How dare you never tell me about that,” I snap at her playfully.

“Oh? Why would I tell you about it?” She gives me a pointed look and I narrow my eyes at her.

“Because you’ve wanted to get Charlie and me together and yet left out that he’s super cute with kids.”

“You don’t even want kids.”

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