Page 152 of Power Play

“Yes, you would’ve. But we still missed you.”

“Sounds like you’re trying to butter me up, Lani. Is there something you want to ask me?”

“No.” She rolls her eyes. “Can’t I be nice to my big brother?”

“Of course you can.” I drape my arm over her shoulder. “It just so rarely happens, I’m not sure how to react.”

“Fuck, I’ve missed you, Li.” She throws her whole body into mine and I laugh, hugging her tight. “I wish you could stay longer.”

“So do I. The NHL doesn’t believe in extended time off though, so my ass has to head back to the cold sooner than I’d like. But fuck it. We’ll worry about that in a few days. Ready for some fresh air?”

“Why do you think I picked a destination wedding?” Alana loops her arm through mine and we head for the double doors that lead to a boardwalk. The morning breeze hits my face as we step outside, and I inhale a deep breath of salty air. “It’s not warm out here, is it? I should’ve brought a jacket with me.”

“You want to go back and grab one?”

“Nah. I’ll warm up as we move. And if I don’t, I’m going to force you to carry me back to the hotel. You need to put those muscles to use.”

I grin and pull her closer. “How are you feeling about your big day? Do you need to make a run for it before family brunch? I can have a plane here in an hour.”

“Hush.” She smacks my arm and we step onto the sand. “I am not running away from my wedding. Harry and I are very happy together. He’s a nice guy who’s not intimidated by my success, loves me on my worst days, and makes me laugh. With the parade of shitty men out there, do you really want me to give that up?”

“Never. He’s still not good enough for you, but I’m glad you’re happy. Feels like yesterday you were a kid who did ballet and wore ribbons in her hair. Now look at you.”

“It’s weird, isn’t it? I’m so grateful for my life, but it scares me how fast everything is moving around me. Mom and Dad are getting older. My friends are having kids. You’re nearing forty.”

“I haven’t hit thirty yet, Lani. Let’s slow our roll a little bit.”

“Speaking of getting old and having children, how are things going with Piper? Have you told her you’re in love with her yet?”

“What?” I whip my head to stare at her. “What are you talking about?”

“Oh.” She grins. “Are we pretending you don’t have feelings for the five-foot blonde you brought with you?”

“What do you know?”

“What do you think I know?”

I narrow my eyes.

Alana’s smart, and I’ve never been able to keep a secret from her. I groan and scrub a hand over my face, knowing today is not the day I start.

“Fine. I have a crush on Piper. It’s no big deal. It’s not going to be a whole fucking thing, okay? Our relationship isn’t real either. It’s something we planned so Mom and Dad would get off my ass about settling down because I can’t take another second of their badgering. I love them, butfucking Christ. Is my personal life all they care about?”

“Iknewit.” She nearly drops her coffee when she claps. “I knew you two weren’t actually dating and I knew you had a crush on Piper. You’ve talked about herso muchover the years. From anyone else, I wouldn’t bat an eye at the mention of a woman they saw at work. But from you? C’mon.”

“I’ve never mentioned her before,” I say.

“Bullshit. You told me she works for the Stars. You told me she got promoted. You told me she can’t skate, which is information I didn’t need to know, but now I do. Oh! You told me about her pink blazer and blonde hair. You’ve been doing it for years. From the day she first showed up at the arena.”

I rub my lips together and stare at the ocean. “It’s stupid. She was married when I first met her. I knew she was off-limits, but another part of me knew she wouldn’t stay with that sack of shitforever. I’ve always held out hope that she’d… I don’t know. Like me too? It’s why I haven’t—” I shake my head. “Never mind.”

“Come on. You can’t leave me hanging like that!”

“It’s not important.”

“You’ve never spilled your guts to me about a woman before. That means she’s important.”

“She is important, which is why I haven’t said anything. She went through shit with her ex-husband, and I don’t know if I can give her the attention she deserves. I’d never want her to feel like she’s in second place because I’m busy giving all my time to my job, but that’s how it is. I can’t drop everything to be with her.”

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