Page 10 of Power Play

“They would,” Maven says. “And we can help make sure you get everything set up.”

I smile and look around the table. My cheeks are warm. My heart is full, and, despite being single and going home to an empty apartment every night, I’ve never felt so loved.

“I appreciate all of you. You loved me when I didn’t feel lovable. You showed me that the good kind of love—the kind that lifts you up and supports you when you’re feeling low—is worth fighting for. Is worth waiting for, instead of settling for average.” I wipe a tear away. “Sorry. I don’t know why I’m crying. Just… thank you. Thank you for being here and believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself.”

“A toast.” Maven lifts her glass, and we all follow suit. “To the women who get knocked down but come back stronger than before.”

“To friendship that isn’t competitive but collaborative.” Emmy shows a rare display of emotion when she dips her chinand takes a deep breath. “Some people aren’t lucky enough to have one friend like you girls in their lives, and I have three.”

“You all said the mushy shit already, so I’m going with this: to better dicks going forward,” Lexi jokes. “We’re not settling for any man who only makes us come five times in ten years. We have new standards.”

We cheers, and I laugh until my sides hurt. Until tears stream down my face not from sadness, but from joy. From being so damn happy. From feeling like I’ve finally found the path I want to walk down, and knowing I won’t have to do it by myself.

FOUR

LIAM

Puck Kings

Maverick

The league really fucked us by making the majority of our games on Tuesday nights. Don’t they know we have traditions?

Hudson

It’s almost like they don’t care about your personal life.

Maverick

Last I checked, it wasn’t just my personal life. Team dinner concerns all of you, and we’re not stopping them this season. Not when our record has only improved since getting together once a week off the ice. Mondays will have to work.

Riley

I hate Mondays.

Maverick

You won’t hate them anymore because you get to spend them with me.

Aren’t you lucky?

Me

Is there a way to permanently remove myself from a group chat?

Emmy

When you figure it out, let me know.

G-Money

Emmy is in here again? No shit!

Guess we need to change our name back to Professional Stick Handlers. That’s inclusive, right?

Emmy

Don’t change it because of me, Grant. I don’t know why I keep getting added to these messages, and I’m going to leave. I hate it. I don’t play with you all anymore. In fact, I’m the enemy now.

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