Page 116 of Power Play

“Youlikeher. You care about her. You also care about your job, and you’re not sure how to balance the two.”

I grind my teeth together. “You’re an observant motherfucker. Doesn’t matter if I like her. We’re never going to be anything except friends.”

“Right.” He stands too and smirks. “Sure you aren’t.”

The third perioddrags on forever. I keep checking the clock, finding only seconds have passed. I tap my skate, now wishing I was in the goal instead of on the bench and stewing in my thoughts.

When the final buzzer sounds, I’m the first one on my feet. Skating to the locker room like a bat out of hell. I ditch my gear and stand there shirtless, checking my phone, and not finding a response from her.

I scrub my hand over my face and sigh.

She’s fine.

Perfectly fine.

But when Hudson’s eyes meet mine from across the room and he tips his head to the side, mouthing the wordgo, I know where I need to be.

Where Iwantto be.

I’ll make up an excuse for my departure later.

I change out of my jersey and pads, reluctantly putting my suit back on and heading for the garage. The drive to her apartment feels like it stretches for hours. When I finally park and make it up to her floor, I gently knock on her door.

“Piper?” I call out, trying to keep my voice from being too loud. “It’s me. Are you in there?”

What if she passed out and hit her head?

What if she threw up on herself?

What if she’s hurting so badly she can’t walk?

The door clicks unlocked and opens. Piper stands in front of me with a blanket draped over her head and body, and my heart nearly stops at the sight of her.

She looks exhausted.

Physically worn out and sleep deprived.

“Liam?” She squints at me. “What are you doing here?”

“Lexi told me you weren’t feeling well. I wanted to come by and see how you were doing.”

“I’m okay.” Piper winces and steps back, feebly motioning me inside the dark foyer. “Headache turned into a migraine, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to be around the bright lights at the game.”

“Did you take your medicine?”

She yawns and wraps the blanket tighter around her. “I haven’t filled it yet this month. I forgot.”

“What good is this marriage if you’re not going to use it for things you need?”

Her cheeks flush and she shrugs. “I was going to do it this week. I’ve been pain-free so much lately, I got cocky.”

“You’ll fill it tomorrow and use my name so you can get it rush delivered?”

“Yeah. I’ll fill it tomorrow. Did you come from the game? Did we win?”

“Four to one. Petersen did well in the goal.”

“Better than you?”

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