Page 160 of Power Play

“It’s an epidemic, Mom. I would know. I’m on a team with guys who send them.”

I cover my ears and groan. “Please stop. I do not need to know which of the boys is out there sending pictures of his junk to the poor women of DC.” I wait a beat and look at him. “It’s Ethan, isn’t it?”

“Obviously it’s Ethan. You know what your next update should be, Lani? You should be able to leave star ratings after a certain number of conversations,” Liam continues. “It would make sure everyone behaved.”

“He’s a hotshot goalieanda brainiac.” Alana blows a kiss to her brother then turns her attention to her husband-to-be. “Anyway. Harry and I matched right before I was heading out on a two-week trip to Japan. I figured he wouldn’t be interested anymore when I got home, but when he picked me up from the airport with a bouquet of roses, I knew it was game over.”

“Okay, so you two are soulmates. Got it,” I laugh.

Alana tips her chin up. When they kiss, the table applauds their display of affection. “I know some people search for love for years. Some have it and lose it. Some never find it. I’m so lucky to know I won’t have to look for it ever again. I have it.”

I stiffen.

The moment is supposed to be joyous. A cause for celebration, but there’s a whisper of resentment lingering in the shadows.

Disdain for my past and my future creeps up, that fear of being alone, of never finding love again, rearing its ugly head.

Did I use up all the love I had the minute I inked my name on the divorce papers?

Or will the universe grant me another chance?

“You okay?” Liam asks quietly.

“I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? I can tell something is bothering you.”

“I’m mourning my love life,” I say under my breath as the conversation picks up around us. Someone clinks their glass with a fork, and the couple exchange another kiss. “What I had. What I might not ever have again. I’m fine. Really.”

“It’s okay if you’re not fine, given the situation and the memories it might hold.”

“I see how deeply Harry loves your sister, and it makes me worry I’ll never find someone who can handle me. Who can understand my past and why I’m hesitant about diving into a new relationship. They won’t understand how much my career means to me or why I have this soul-crushing desire to work until my body is close to giving out: because I feel like I have to constantly prove myself. I remember sitting at a dinner so similar to this and thinking I found my forever before it all went up in smoke. Who’s to say it won’t happen again?”

Liam doesn’t answer me, and that only reiterates my fear.

It makes me uneasy, like everything that happened on the balcony was make-believe. Something I dreamed up that could never come to light.

It might be a good thing if it didn’t happen, though.

We both know how Liam feels about relationships and distractions.

Admitting the feelings I have for him because I’ve been caught up in a few days of celebration is a major distraction.

He’s quiet, lifting his glass of champagne to toast the bride and groom, and the silence is defeating. I plaster on a smile, cheering as the happy couple makes a show of overindulgent displays of affection.

I’m surrounded by love, but I’ve never felt so unlovable and alone.

FORTY-THREE

LIAM

Puck Kings

Maverick

How’s your sister’s wedding, Goalie Daddy?

G-Money

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