Page 29 of Power Play with My Brother's Irish Friends

15

CHARLIE

How was it already Miranda’s last day with us? I adjusted the neck of my collared shirt and shrugged the tightness out of my shoulders. Austin had pitched the idea to throw Miranda a going away party in the locker room, and we’d all agreed. Now that I looked around the room, I cuffed my cheek to stop the groan of annoyance. Why here? Why not take everyone out to some fancy restaurant instead of stuffing Miranda in the locker room amid the smelly gym gear and old socks?

“Are you sure you can’t stay for our first game?” Murphy stood beside me, facing Miranda as he handed her a printed out copy of their schedule.

Lips flat and tight, she tucked the paper away. “Wish I could, but I’m needed in New York.” She’d said that a few times but never clarified who needed her or why.

Probably all a ploy to keep us from asking her to stay more than we had already.

“You realize you’re our favorite person now?” Scott shouldered his way into the huddle around Miranda. “No one else could’ve pulled off all that media stuff.”

“Yeah, well.” Miranda brightened, tossing her hair over her shoulder and smirking at all of us. “I am the best.”

“Damn straight.” I let the praise fall out without remorse. She deserved it. I’d kept my distance as promised, even though I died a little more each and every day. Of all the men here–Duncan, Patrick, hell, Austin included–I would miss her the most. I’d become so attuned to her presence that I sought her out in every room, most times without even meaning to. She drew me in with a profound sense of rightness. Being close to her was my only consolation, and soon she’d take even that away from me.

“To Miranda.” Murphy raised his glass of punch and saluted Miranda.

She tipped her head in his direction. “Make sure you remember what I taught you. I expect to read good things this whole season.” Gray eyes swept the room, holding each of us hostage. “Don’t let all your hard work go to waste. You know what to do, and I expect the best from each and every one of you.”

“I give my best in every aspect of my life.” Patrick tossed his head back, downing the punch. “We’ll make you proud.”

I wasn’t the only one to notice the change in Patrick. He’d stopped sleeping around, which was shocking enough on its own, but he’d also chilled way the fuck down. He barely even looked at other women, much less took them to bed. I stirred the jealousy to life, heightening my awareness of that one glorious night we’d spent with Miranda. Did she look at Patrick more than me? I tried to watch her without giving myself away, but she caught me staring and angled her head to the side in a questioning gesture that I shrugged away.

Austin banged his fist on the red lockers that lined two of the four walls. The resounding echo silenced the room. “It’s been great having you around.” We all cheered our agreement. “And we all wish you could stay to watch us play.” He glared at Murphy. “But we understand why you’re leaving.”

Duncan made a rude noise in my ear. He’d stood behind me throughout the entire party, his posture as tense as mine.

Austin’s phone rang, cutting off the rest of his speech.

“I hate this.” Duncan’s low voice grated on my nerves.

I locked my hands around the plastic cup and turned my head just enough to keep Miranda in sight and talk to Duncan without anyone overhearing. They were all too busy swooping in around Miranda for a last goodbye. She was the favorite person on the whole team, and they made sure she knew how much it meant to each of them that she’d made such an impact on their careers. Whatever I’d planned to say drifted away at the sight of Austin frowning and pacing behind Miranda.

He ended the call and tugged on Miranda’s arm, guiding her through the crowd and toward the door.

I darted away from Duncan and followed.

“Samanatha’s stuck on the side of the road. Her car broke down.” Austin tunneled a hand through his hair. “I don’t want to leave her out there alone.”

“Go.” Miranda pushed her brother toward the hallway. “I can get to the airport on my own. I’ll call for a ride. Go help Samantha.”

“Are you sure?” Uncertainty twisted across Austin’s face. “You shouldn’t ride with a stranger.”

Miranda scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Austin, I ride in cabs and take rideshares all the time in New York. I’ll be fine.”

“I wish you’d waited about dropping off your rental. You could’ve left it at the airport.” Typical Austin, always trying to find a solution through impossible measures.

“I’ll take her.” My voice rose over the din of noise coming from the rest of the team.

Relief crashed over Austin’s face, loosening his grip on his phone and dropping his arms back to his sides. “Great. Thanks, Charlie.”

I shrugged like it was no big deal, but my heart betrayed me with a series of rapid thumps, and I fought down a smile of victory. “No problem. Anything for Miranda.” It was as close as I let myself come to admitting my feelings, especially in front of Austin.

Frowning, Miranda checked the slim gold watch on her wrist. “We’d better head out. I’m supposed to arrive a few hours before my flight.”

“Not without saying goodbye.” Murphy muscled his way back to the front of the group and swept Miranda up into a crushing hug. “Come see us soon.”

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