Page 10 of Power Play with My Brother's Irish Friends

“Nah.” I shrugged off the uncomfortable feeling. “He passed away a few years ago.”

“Sorry to hear that.” She offered the traditional response, but it had a genuineness to it that rang with truth. “My parents are both gone. It’s tough. So you play in his honor, or you found your true calling on the ice?”

“Both.” Emotions I’d tamped down for years rose in a tidal wave I worked to control. I had to play this side carefully or she’d think I was using our parents’ deaths to close the deal. Even I wouldn’t sink that low. “I’d love for you to watch me play sometime. Are you busy later? The hallway’s great, but I’d rather take this someplace more comfortable.”

Her smile reappeared, her lips parting with what I was sure was an agreement to hook up.

Austin sped past me and spun around beside Miranda. “How’d it go with Duncan? He’s a close-mouthed son of a bitch, and he won’t tell me what you said.”

Miranda transformed before my eyes. The curious optimism and banter drained away, leaving a crisp businesswoman behind. “We’re working out a plan.”

“And talking to Patrick is part of that plan?” Austin’s gray eyes hardened to slate. A muscle popped in his jaw. “Dude, stay away from my sister?”

“Who?”

Austin jammed one finger into my chest, poking me with every word. “Miranda is my sister. She doesn’t need a playboy like you messing with her heart.”

Oh damn. I took a step back and raised both hands. “No problem.”

Austin dropped his hand after running it through his hair. “You are unbelievable. I’ve told all of you. Leave my sister alone.”

“Okay, one, I didn’t know she was your sister. How was I supposed to know?” I defended myself because why the fuck not. I knew Austin had a sister named Miranda. But there are like a million Mirandas in the world. Fuck me for not recognizing the only one I was supposed to leave the fuck alone. “You two don’t look anything alike.”

“Thank god.” Miranda rolled her eyes and laughed.

That’s when I saw the resemblance. She threw her head back the same way Austin did, whether it was in laughter or taking a shot. I switched between watching her and watching Austin. So this was the enigmatic sister he talked about. I’d never seen a picture. Bastard wouldn’t even tell me what she looked like when I asked. Seeing her now, I understood why.

Wait. I turned toward the locker room, replaying the image of her and Duncan walking out of Coach’s office. Austin mentioned he had a good publicist who could help Duncan. He’d even mentioned once that his little sister was a publicist. Huh. I’d been screwed over before, but not like this. Being Austin’s little sister put Miranda firmly in the no fly zone. Austin would beat my ass. Not only that, it went against the code we’d established years ago. No poaching on each other’s family.

“You think you can help?” Austin faced Miranda, effectively shutting me out of the conversation.

Fine with me. I had a lot to think about.

Miranda brushed a hand over her shoulder, her full, pouty smirk in place. “Austin, I’m the best of the best. Of course I can help him. As long as he upholds his end of the bargain and does what I say.”

I’d do anything she said. Especially if it included my bedroom and her clothes in a puddle on my floor. I tried to shut down the thought, but it latched on like a motherfucking leech. She was funny, intelligent, and sexy. I understood why Austin locked me out from a hit it and quit it scenario. I’d never slept with the same woman twice, and that would’ve included Miranda.

Not anymore.

“When do you start?” Austin asked.

“Right now.”

“Miranda?” Charlie rushed up the hallway, his sneakers slapping fast as he ran.

Her face lit up like a fucking Christmas tree, and she squealed while throwing her arms around his neck. “Charlie!”

The open affection twisted my insides. Charlie clearly meant something to Miranda. I narrowed my focus on them, on the way Charlie’s hands locked behind her back as he squeezed tight and closed his eyes. Had Charlie and Miranda had a thing? No. No way. Austin would’ve found out. Charlie was too honorable to go against Austin like that.

Me, on the other hand? I’d do it. Because Miranda caused a whole other kind of interest in me. I’d initially thought of it as nothing more than my usual one nighter. But after talking to her for a bit and feeling that connection, no way. I wanted more. I’d never been in love. Thought it was a kind of fairytale.

For the first time in my life, I considered what it would be like to fall in love and give that whole thing a try. One woman for the rest of my life? It might be worth it if I ended up loving a woman like Miranda. She’d keep me on my toes with that attitude.

“I can’t believe you’re here.” Charlie gripped Miranda’s shoulders and rocked her until she burst out laughing.

“I know, right? I’m like a genie, always popping up when you least expect it.”

She had more than one thing popping up, that was for sure. One other thing I’d never experienced in my life. Jealousy. It grabbed me by the balls now and locked my jaw so tight my teeth ached. I’d happily slap Charlie’s hands off her and tell him to fuck off if it didn’t give away my own interest.

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