Page 70 of Power Play

I feel one hundred.

Me

When is your birthday?

Liam

June 27th. You?

Me

August 19th.

Liam

Alana is going to try and chart our astrological compatibility. Tell her it’s a load of shit and she’ll stop.

Me

I’d never insult an astrology girl. We’re going to be best friends!

“Sorry I’m late!”I announce in the foyer of Maverick and Emmy’s place. I slip off my shoes and shake out of my coat without dropping the dessert I brought. “And I have pie!”

“Little P!” Ethan scoops me up in a hug and spins me around. “There you are.”

“I know you’re only greeting me because you want food.”

“Guilty.” He sets me down. “We’re growing boys. You know we can’t go ten minutes without eating.”

“You’re aren’t kidding, are you?”

“Dead serious. I’m glad you’re here. It’s not the same without the whole gang around, and I was starting to worry something happened to you.”

“I’m alive and well.” I pat his shoulder and follow him down the hall. “I was feeling under the weather this morning. The road trip kicked my ass.”

“You mean North Dakota kicked your ass. Place was fucking freezing.” He tosses a grin over his shoulder. “Better than Florida. That place is a nightmare.”

“At least it’ll be warm when we’re down there next week.”

We round the corner into the kitchen, and I wave hello to everyone. The team is already here, drinks in hand as they enjoy the spread of appetizers on the island. A TV blares from the living room, coverage for the Titans game underway, and I’m instantly warmer being surrounded by my favorite people in the world.

“Hi, babe.” Lexi kisses my cheek and passes me a water. “Happy Thanksgiving, my little Piper Pumpkin.”

“Happy Thanksgiving, Lex.” I set the pie on the counter and hug her tight. “God, you look good. How many days a week are you doing Pilates?”

“Six. It’s put me in a really good headspace these last couple of months. I’m tired as hell going from the arena to teaching in the evenings, but I’m feeling very positive and centered lately. It must be working.”

“I’m so happy for you. We need to get the team to another class. Watching them suffer on the Reformer was worth the week of sore muscles.”

“That was hysterical. There’s nothing like watching grown men almost cry. Especially when you have a hand in their demise.” She grins at me. “You look particularly glowy today.”

I touch my cheeks, my skin windburned from the walk over in the cold. “Thanks. It’s borderline hypothermia.”

“I mean you look happy. What’s your secret?”

“Being divorced and free from a shitty relationship?” I joke with a laugh. “I don’t have a secret. Not really. Work is going well. The team is playing phenomenal. I got hit on at the grocery store last night, so I’d say things are looking up.”

“Oh? Was he cute?”

---