Page 136 of Power Play

“Please don’t think you have to entertain me while we’re in Spain. I can handle an afternoon or two by myself while you spend time with them. The last thing I want to do is to get in the way.”

“You could never be in the way. They’re going to love you.”

“Are they going to loveme, or are they going to love that I’m the person they think you’re dating?”

“They’ll love you while also feeling sorry you’re stuck with my irritable ass.”

“You do rank high on the irritability scale. Have you ever introduced them to a girlfriend before?”

“Once. Someone I dated in college. She came home with me for Christmas break.”

“Ohreally?” There’s a mischievous glint in Piper’s eye. “And why did you two break up?”

“She didn’t like the demand of my hockey schedule. Said she needed more attention, which I get, but this is my life. It fizzled out my junior year.”

“And no one since.”

“A model I was seeing my rookie season. We met on a plane on my way to the NHL draft and my agent set us up. Dated three months and it didn’t work out. She’s the face of Calvin Klein now, so I don’t think she misses me all that much.”

“Oh, wow. Okay. Your parents are going to think this is serious.” Her laugh is nervous and she clutches Pico tight. “No pressure.”

“It’s going to be fine. I doubt my mom is going to ask you what I got my degree in.”

“Whatdidyou get your degree in?”

“Spanish and math.”

“Hang on.” Piper sits up and stares at me. “You majored inmath?”

“That tone tells me you’re surprised, and I’m offended.”

“I didn’t mean it likethat. I imagine math is a hard degree on its own, but add in the pressure and time commitment of being a D1 athlete, and that’s a heavy workload. You know I think you’re smart, obviously, but I didn’t know you double majored.”

“I did. I wanted something to fall back on if the whole hockey thing didn’t work out, but fuck if I had any free time my senior year.”

“Will you tell me about Alana? You always light up when you talk about her, so I’m guessing she’s very special.”

“She is,” I say. “I never wanted a sibling. I was pissed when my parents brought her home from the hospital, and my dadtells me I ignored her for months. One day she was learning to walk and fell. She scraped her knee on the rug in our living room, and apparently I ran through the house looking for a first aid kit to take care of her. Guess I cared about her more than I thought.”

“Such a sensitive soul.” Piper drums her fingers over my heart. “Were you two close growing up?”

“We were inseparable. She followed me everywhere; to the hockey rink, to the skate park the summer I thought I liked skateboarding. You know I don’t like many people, but I love Alana.”

“Do you like the guy she’s marrying?”

“He’s not bad. He treats her right and makes her happy. I also threatened to ruin his life if he hurt her.”

She laughs. “I’ve always wanted a brother who looked out for me. I guess I kind of have that now with the team. Sometimes I feel like they’d punch someone if they hurt me.”

I want to tell her about what Maverick did. The way he decked Charlie in the face and smiled afterward. But I’m not sure I want Piper to know that I know what the asshole said to her. She’s moved past it, and the last thing she needs is bullshit from the past coming up when she’s been so successful in her role this season.

“They’re good guys, aren’t they? I mean, Ethan’s infatuation with hot dogs is something else.”

“They’re the best. Present company excluded, of course,” Piper teases.

I smirk. “Fuck you too, Sunshine.”

“Can we talk about PDA?”

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