Page 153 of Power Play

“Who’s asking you to? Dozens of guys in the league are married. They’re dads and guardians and able to split themselves between work and personal relationships. Why can’t you?”

“Because… I don’t fucking know? That’s how I am? That’s why I limit myself? Because I’m… obsessed? I can’t explain it. I wish I could just not give a shit every now and then, but I fuckingcan’t.”

“Maybe you can find a balance. A world where you can have Piperandyour job. It would take time, but I bet it’s possible.”

“Maybe.” I sigh. “Doesn’t matter, though. She doesn’t feel that way about me. In a few weeks, she’ll be dating someone else.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”

“Oh yeah? And what’s made you a know-it-all?”

“I saw the way she looked at you last night.” Lani’s smile turns softer. More reverent as she rests her head on my shoulder. “It’s exactly how you look at her. Like she’s the only one in the world.”

Alana doesn’t mentionPiper again as we watch sunrise over the water, and neither do I.

We make a detour back to the coffee shop so I can grab a tea for Piper. I leave Lani in the elevator, getting out at the tenth floor instead of riding up to the bridal penthouse with her. It’s quiet when I sneak back to our suite. I’m careful as I slip into the bedroom and find Piper in the spot where I left her.

The sheets are bunched at her waist and her hair is all over the pillows. Her left arm is stretched out on my side of the bed, and I smile when she rolls over and runs her hand across the sheets. I sit on the edge of the mattress and watch her for a second, letting myself imagine a world where we do this every fucking day.

I’d make her breakfast. Drive her to the arena and kiss her before getting into my gear. We’d come home together and I’d listen to her while she tells me about her day, nodding along while she mentions broadcasting words I’m not familiar with but want to learn.

It’s not much different from what we’re doing now.

She sleeps over. We sit on my couch and talk. Sometimes we have sex. Sometimes we don’t. She’ll read and I’ll watch game film, sneaking a look at her every now and then only to find her sneaking a look at me.

It’s so fuckingeasy.

Could it be like that if we were dating for real?

Could I give her what she wants? What she fucking deserves?

I put my hand on her back and rub a small circle over her shoulder blades. “Morning,” I say, keeping my voice low.

Piper stirs. Her nose scrunches up and her eyes flutter open. She blinks and looks around the room, trying to figure out where she is.

“Liam? What time is it?”

“Time to start getting ready for breakfast. I let you sleep in.”

“How long have you been awake?” She yawns and sits up. “You’re dressed and drinking coffee, so I’m going to guess a while.”

“This is tea for you. I went with hibiscus.” I hand her the cup and she takes it eagerly. “Alana and I did a walk on the beach. I tried to get her to skip out on this whole wedding thing, but she’s pretty set on marrying the guy.”

“Guess you’re going to have to live with your younger sister being happy. Such a shame.” Piper takes a sip of the tea and lets out a quiet groan. “Oh, I feel revived. I know I slept for hours, but I don’t think it was enough.”

“You’re telling me. I’m going to be dragging all day. Guess it gives me an excuse to be crabby to someone.”

“Hey. You’re going to have to fake it, buddy.”

“I don’t want to. I want to go back to sleep.” I take the spot next to her and rest a hand on her hip. “You’re so warm.”

“That’s what happens when you stay in bed instead of going outside before the sun comes up.” She keeps her cup upright as she curls into me. “Five minutes, then we’re getting up.”

“Fine. If we have to.”

“We do have to. Don’t fall asleep, Liam.”

“Can’t help it. You’re so cozy,” I mumble, closing my eyes. “Oh. Alana knows we’re not actually dating, by the way.”

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