Page 45 of Power Play with My Brother's Irish Friends

“You’re not leaving that box.” He stopped in front of me. “I’ve seen that look, Duncan. The two of you are out of the game.” He pointed at the other guy still banging his fists on the barrier. “I mean it.”

“Come on.” I fisted my hands but kept them by my sides. “That’s not right.” The thick Irish blood boiled and threatened to overflow with the devastation of a volcanic eruption. “You have no cause to keep me in here.”

“Game’s almost over.” He pointed at the scoreboard. “They don’t need you.”

“The fuck they don’t.” My whole body reacted, a roll of heat spreading all the way from my toes to the tips of my hair.

“Duncan.” Miranda stopped the cauldron of lava from tipping over with nothing more than my name spoken in her sultry voice.

I took a step back from the barrier and crossed my arms. Two minutes left. Somehow, we’d fallen behind, the distraction of the other team causing chaos. “Come on guys.” I cupped my hands around my mouth and shouted at the top of my voice. “Don’t let the bastards win.”

Patrick whacked his stick on the rim of the rink in solidarity, a move he’d started years ago when we first played together.

Charlie and Austin made a blistering turn in the center of the rink. Austin caught the puck, stealing it mid-pass from our opponents and passing it to Charlie. He ducked low and barreled across the ice, lining up a shot. Patrick watched Charlie’s back, cutting off anyone who might interfere. The rest of our guys barricaded the way so Austin had a clear shot the instant Charlie released the puck to him.

A smack and a whir sent the puck careening toward the goal. The goalie jumped for it and missed.

The buzzer sounded, and I threw myself at the clear plexiglass, my fists shaking the entire frame as I shouted. Miranda joined me, her voice rising and falling between whistles and claps from the rest of the crowd. We’d won. But even this victory wasn’t as sweet as the realization that I’d scored a dinner date with Miranda.

I faced her and grinned at the sight of her jumping up and down. She caught me watching and her smile widened. “You going to stay in there all day or what?”

Huh? Oh, right. I could leave the box since the game ended. Nothing held me encased in the sin box except knowing that the minute I left, I’d lose access to Miranda. Until our dinner date.

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