Page 4 of The Power Play

“I’m sorry,” I can see the sympathy written all over her face and that’s the last thing I want from her in this situation.

“No, stop that. It’s not your fault. I didn’t wait long and then I went out with the girls and found some rando, it’s all good, Chan, really. We can agree to never talk about him again, deal?” I slide one glass over to her while keeping one for myself.

“Deal,” we raise the glasses, clinking them together before taking the shots.

“Also, if I talk about any hockey player being hot again, just slap me,” I tell her before refilling my glass for another shot.

Chandler chuckles, “Yeah, okay, no more hockey players at all, but we can still watch, right?”

“Well yeah, I still fucking love hockey.”

We laugh together, the phrase reminiscent of when we first learned about the sport thanks to Chandler’s boyfriend Vince inviting us to a game for the first time. I’m glad she knows now so she can stop bugging me about it. Plus, we really don’t hide things from each other. I just didn’t want to make it a bigger deal than it was.

I don’t give a shit about Charlie Mann or any other man that has come before him, and likely none that will come after him. I’m good with my life exactly how it is. It’ll take a miracle to change that.

3

It’s finally game day. The first one of the season. I’m forgoing the cam show for tonight so I can go in person with Chandler. The cool air of the arena hits my face as Chandler and I walk in. I take in a deep breath because this is one of my favorite places to be. The energy, the game, theguys.

Wait, no, not the guys. Not anymore.

We walk down the stairs to our seats at the glass behind the goal. I’m glad to not be sitting with the WAGs, plus we see so much more down here, and I like to be close to everything going on. I know Chandler does too, even though her guys have to fight the urge to look in her direction during the game since it distracts them too much.

The arena fills with more people and then the guys come out for the best part of the game.Warmups.They shoot the pucks toward the net, some missing which sends the puck slamming into the glass near our faces and makes us flinch. Despite me trying to avoid looking for a certain player, I can’t help it and when my eyes land on number thirty-six, I boo.

Chandler smacks my arm lightly with a chuckle, even though I doubt he even heard me. I can’t help the scowl on my face whenever he skates by our seats.

“I thought it wasn’t a big deal?” Chandler asks when she notices me sticking my tongue out at a certain player like a child.

“It’s not, it’s like I can’t help myself. My face is just doing this,” I shrug before making another stink face at him as he skates by before dropping down to the ice and beginning to stretch.

I groan at the visual, watching the guys warm up and stretch is just pure beauty, but he’s ruining it with his whole being an asshole thing. I do my best to look everywhere but him and part of me wonders if he picked this spot on purpose, though I’m not sure why.

While I’m trying not to look at Charlie, I notice Vince skate by sending a wink in Chandler’s direction. She tries to hide her small smile, but the pink in her cheeks gives her away.

“You’re so in love,” I jokingly scoff.

“I so am, and I don’t even care,” she chuckles. I can’t help but smile for her. I really am glad she’s so happy, the girl has been through too much shit with relationships. She falls and falls hard; in the past it was always for the wrong guy. Which is part of the reason I never fall; I’ve seen the hurt it can cause and that’s not for me. But she deserves what she has, each special connection with all three of them.

Warmups end without Charlie looking in my direction and I’m glad. I’m not sure why he even would, and I was able to stop myself from flipping him off. Just barely.

The first game of the season is intoxicating. It’s always filled with so much excitement, both from the crowd and from the players on the ice. I’m not even paying attention to who is doing what because all I care about is the game. I feel like the energy is fueled by the fact that the Dragons are the reigning Stanley Cup champions.

Over the court of the three periods, there are only a couple scuffles between the teams, but to my disappointment no full-blown fights. Every time something looked like it might be starting, Chandler and I would shoot up out of our seats yelling, but the refs always pulled the guys apart too soon.

The Dragons win two-to-one which makes everyone go insane. There aren’t many things that are better than a hockey game. However, when your teamwinssaid hockey game, that always takes the cake.

Oh, and orgasms. Those are better than a hockey game, but I’m biased.

Chandler and I make our way to the tunnel where the players walk from the ice to the locker room. Once they are done showering, changing, and doing their post-game interviews they'll head out of the arena.

We wait in the hallway for her boyfriends to come out. It’s always a fun game for me in my head to guess who she is going to leave with because even though they all live together, the guys drive separately and fight over who she will ride home with. Tonight, my money is on Brent because I feel like he did the best at avoiding eye contact with her during the game. Though, I know sometimes it doesn’t matter who she chooses because the guys will make the decision for her. Especially Matt.Okay, usually it’s always Matt that does that.

The door to the locker room opens and I’m not paying much attention to who just came out until I see Chandler narrowing her eyes at whoever it is. I can’t help but look and groan loudly when I see it’s public enemy number one.

He’s walking in our direction but doesn’t seem to be paying any attention. I scoff and swing my body around to put my back toward him as he gets closer. I know he just walks past us without any acknowledgment, but I feel better knowing that I’m ignoring him onmyterms, not his.

Chandler starts laughing loudly and when I turn back around, I see Brent has walked up to us with one eyebrow raised in question. Luckily, he doesn’t voice whatever he might be thinking, and I knew this is why I’ve always liked him. He’s the quiet, controlled one out of her hat trick of men. I also know he’s in control ofallaspects of his life. She’s told me a thing or two about their bedroom lives and I know that’s where he’s the most in control.

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