Page 115 of Face Off
As much as I want to gossip with her like we’re back in high school and talking about crushes and the hottest guys in our grade, I hold it in. I lock it away in a compartment I’ll only let myself open when I’m alone.
“That’s a shame.” She sighs. “Someone should be getting dicked.”
“Hear, hear,” I agree, lifting an imaginary glass. “Should we get going? Knowing this ride is going to be on Miller’s dime, I think we should take the long way there.”
Piper loops her arm through mine and grins. “You’re damn right we should.”
We meet Maven and Lexi downstairs and spend fifteen minutes fawning over each other’s outfits. Our hair, our shoes, the diamond necklace Maven shows off—a gift from Dallas to match the diamond on her ring finger.
I’m warm and smiling when we slide into the limo and pop open the first bottle of champagne. I haven’t had a sip of alcohol yet, but already, there’s this bubbly, fizzy excitement in me. That rush you get when you’re with people who make you feel good.
It’s hard to make friends as an adult, and it’s almost impossible with a schedule like mine. Friendship with them is easy, though. Every time we’re together, I feel more and more like I’m a part of something special. Like I want to stay in DC for longer than the season and make a name for myself here, not just with the Stars, but with these women too.
“There’s a note from Maverick.” Lexi grabs the card sitting on the small table to her left and clears her throat before reading it aloud. “‘To the four best women in the league—thank you for all you do. You deserve your name to be shouted from the rooftops.’”
“Aw, Mavvy!” Maven puts her hand over her chest, and my own heart skips a beat with his generosity. “I love that man so much. He’s such a good guy.”
“We might as well open the second one, right? Since he’s paying and all,” I say, and I reach for the next bottle.
The girls are distracted, speculating about who might be bringing who as a date tonight, but my attention snags on the small paper hiding behind a set of martini glasses.
I turn it over and find messy handwriting and a scribbled note.
EG-
I hope you’re the one who finds this.
If not, I’ll deny any involvement.
Don’t tell the others, but you’re my favorite.
Can’t wait to see you tonight.
I really hope you’re not wearing any underwear.
-PB
I read it a second time, and my cheeks hurt from smiling. I should toss the secret note in the trash, but I tuck it in my purse instead, wanting to keep it safe for reasons I can’t quite figure out.
I can see the swanky hotel where the gala is being held from two blocks away. It’s lit up in big, bright lights, and there’s a red carpet rolled out like we’re sports royalty.
Photographers stand in a line, snapping pictures of the players as they arrive, the flashes of cameras eager for a peek at the NHL’s hottest team right now.
“Wow,” I whisper as I step onto the sidewalk. “This is incredible.”
“The events team likes to make a statement.” Piper waves to someone up ahead, and Maven and Lexi climb the steps toward the building. “I’m pretty sure they blow their annual budget on this night alone.”
“Now we can really celebrate. Is the auction as awful as I think it’s going to be?”
“No. It’s all very tame. Most of the time the guys will bid on each other if things turn awkward. Two years ago, this woman wouldn’t leave Hudson alone. She kept trying to get his attention and upped her bid throughout the night so she’d be the one to win a lunch outing with him. It went well past friendly, and it made Hud really uncomfortable. Maverick swooped in and ended up donating a hundred grand, and they went on a bromance date to the planetarium at the Smithsonian.”
“It’s not nice to talk about people behind their backs, ladies,” Maverick’s deep voice says, and goosebumps sprout on my arms. “Even if you are complimenting me.”
I take a second before turning around.
I really don’t want to embarrass myself or have a physical reaction to seeing him out in public.
I don’t want to give him that satisfaction.
