“If it helps, you’re definitely my husband’s favorite player,” Jacob says, following them into the kitchen.
“It’s nice to see they’re all getting along,” I whisper to Alice.
She smiles up at me. “Do you think they’re all going to gang up on us at some point?”
I look at everyone that’s gathered at our house. “Oh, absolutely.”
“Are you two going to eat or just stare at us all night?” Cash asks.
“We are pretty people.” Leon chuckles next to him.
“Damn straight.” Cash laughs.
“Yup,” Alice says. “Totally going to gang up on us at some point.”
Leaving my side, she walks over to grab her own dinner.
When I got traded to the Black Diamonds, the one thing I was most excited for was playing for a winning team. That, and being in the same city as Alice. I never thought that I’d become so close with the guys.
It’s nice having a group of people able to spend so much time together and know that we’re all having the same experience. Alice gets to have women who will support her and be there for her while I’m gone. It’s not like she doesn’t have work and Leon, but I know she’s always prioritized work.
She loves it. It’s part of the reason we’re doing what we’re doing.
“Did you guys hear what happened with Toronto’s forward?” Nick asks as I head into the kitchen.
“No. What?” I ask, scooping a pile of mac and cheese onto my plate.
“He got cut because apparently the team found out he was sleeping around while on road trips and using the hotel rooms the team paid for to throw big parties to bring women in.”
And there’s the other reason we’re doing what we’re doing. The league wants to clean up their image because of guys like him.
“He deserves it,” Piper says. “I don’t know how people like him or Duncan are still in the league.”
“Easy, Princess.” Cash kisses her head.
“Ugh. Sorry. I hate people like that who treat women like objects to be used and tossed aside.”
“It’s why the league is cracking down,” Troy says.
Don’t I know it. Stupid, drunken behavior in Vegas? Not the best optics for the league.
Alice isn’t looking at me as she walks over to the table and takes a seat next to Leon. Knowing her, her face would give her away.
Things quiet down as everyone piles into chairs around the dining room table and digs into their food.
“I’m not the biggest hockey fan,” Jacob says, breaking the silence.
Cash’s fork clatters to his plate. “Seriously?”
Leon shakes his head. “Don’t look at me. I’ve tried.”
“Since we’re with half the Black Diamonds team?—”
“More like a quarter,” Nick interjects.
“Maybe one of you could convince me to watch it. You know, get your jersey and all that.”
“Wow.” Leon looks at him, incredulously. “I’ve tried getting you to watch the game with me for years, and all it takes is bringing a few players around?”
