Page 95 of Playoff

“I think Teague broke up with his latest,” I interject. “There was a lot of ribbing on the bus last week about her dumping him.”

“Too much of a player,” Stevie says. “Plus he’s not tall enough. I need a guy over six feet.”

“Marty’s getting divorced,” Bailey adds.

For the first time, Stevie hesitates. “He’s gorgeous, but I’ve had enough drama in my life when it comes to men. The last thing I need is some guy with a crazy ex-wife and three kids. He’ll never put me first.”

“Never say never,” Autumn says softly.

“Okay, why are we busting my chops?” Stevie demands. “And where’s our champagne?”

Someone arrives with flutes of champagne, and we sit sipping them until they call us, one by one, for our massages.

I’m having a wonderful time, and it occurs to me I should do things like this more often.

But it probably won’t be with these women because they’re all involved with players, and even though I am too, I can’t tell anyone.

Which really sucks.

And I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to be one of them.

THIRTY

Blake

Game six.

This is a must-win game for us.

Again.

It feels like we’ve been here before.

We’re certainly determined not to make this easy on ourselves.

It would be nice to not have to play seven games every series, but it is what it is.

We’re at the arena early, and I go in search of Rowan. She’s not in the training room so I’m hoping I’ll find her in her office. It feels like I’ve barely seen her since I told her I loved her, and I’m beginning to wonder if I moved too fast. I thought that was what she needed, to know I’m serious about us, but maybe I should have waited.

I really hate second-guessing myself, but I can’t put the genie back in the bottle, so all I can do now is try to mitigate any damage.

“Hey.” She looks up with a friendly enough smile. “What’s up?”

“Just wanted to say hi.” I close the door behind me. “Maybe sneak a kiss. And see why you’re avoiding me.”

“No kissing,” she says firmly, knitting her brows together. “But why would you think I’m avoiding you? I told you I needed a little time to get my head on straight. That’s all. Plus, you know, the playoffs, our parents in town—there’s been a lot going on.”

“So…you’re not mad?”

“Mad about what? There’s nothing for me to be mad about.”

“I thought maybe I moved too fast for you.”

“You did.” She gives me a quirky smile. “But it’s not a bad thing. Certainly nothing to make memad. We’re picking up where we left off but also starting over. It can be a little confusing. Especially when we’re so busy.”

“I know. It’s just getting harder not to be able to touch you. Talk to you whenever I want. Sleep over… even when your dad is in town.”

“It’s hard for me too.” Her voice is gentle. “But right now—” She glances up, looking past me into the hallway since the top half of the walls are glass. “—I have twenty-two other guys needing my attention.”

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