Page 138 of Power Play Rivals

“Is that right?” Rex counters, intrigued. “One of the many things I love about hockey is how the sport brings together so many people from different backgrounds. Though it’s only recently that I’ve seen more women enjoy the game, I’m curious to know what got you interested in it.”

“Well, my father took me to my first game when I was barely five years old. He loved every kind of sport, but his heart was always on the ice. Whenever he wasn’t deployed overseas, he took me to a game. You could say I grew up in the Guardians’ arena.”

“Isn’t that something?” Rex cajoles, completely enthralled by her. “Did your father ever try his luck in playing?”

She shakes her head.

“He wished. No, Dad liked to hit a puck every once in a while, but what he loved most was watching the real talent inside a rink. In fact, he’d be over the moon if he knew I was having dinner with you. He always said you were an exemplary owner, never taking the limelight for yourself, focusing all of it on the team instead. He respected you a great deal. As do I.”

“You’re too kind, Piper. I would have really liked to meet him. Trent told me of your father’s passing, though. My sincerest condolences.”

“He died years ago. It no longer bothers me so much,” Piper says a little too flatly for us not to see through the baldfaced lie.

“Ah, girl, don’t need to be throwing sand in my eyes, for my sake. I lost my Martha over a year ago, and it still hurts as if it was yesterday. There’s no rule that says we can’t miss them no matter how much time has passed.”

Piper gives him a sympathetic smile but doesn’t say anything in return to avoid indulging the topic any further. Rex quickly picks up on her discomfort and begins asking her questions about her job and interests. Now that the conversation has returned to safer topics, Piper relaxes and eagerly answers all of Rex’s questions.

Before tonight, they might have shared a quick anecdote at a party, but that was about it. That’s why I sit back and watch the two most important people in my life get better acquainted.

It’s safe to say that by the time the dessert arrives, Rex is both smitten and proud of my choice.

“I have to say you did wonders with the Wilder kid, Piper,” he continues to praise. “I always liked him and would have hated to see him leave. Thank God you saved me from doing such a thing. To see a talent like him traded off to a lesser team because of some bad press would not have sat well with me.”

“I wish I could take all the merit, but Nathan was the one who really did the work in rehabilitating his image. Therapy helped a lot with his anger issues, as did the matchmaker I set him up with.”

“Matchmaker?” Rex parrots with a chuckle. “Is that still a thing?”

“Actually, Piper is referring to her best friend, Charlotte Moore. Her agency is considered one of the best on the East Coast,” I chime in.

“You don’t say?”

“They’re quite close. In fact, Piper will spend Christmas with her and her family in Cape Cod.”

“Oh, I see.” Rex frowns, thinking he’ll have to spend the holiday alone. “And when will you two be leaving for the Cape?”

“I’llbe leaving tomorrow afternoon and return the week after New Year’s. Trent won’t be joining me, though,” Piper corrects a bit too quickly for my liking.

“Guess you’re stuck with me for Christmas,” I explain, not doing a good job of masking my disappointment for having to spend so many days without her.

I didn’t mind not being invited to Cape Cod with her since I didn’t want to leave Rex alone on Christmas, but I am a little irked by how she phrased it.

“No.” Rex shakes his head, guilt marring his features. “I couldn’t ask that of you. You should spend it with Piper and her family, not with an old man who will be asleep before dinner time.”

“That would have been all good and well, but like Piper just politely insinuated, I didn’t get invited to spend Christmas with her, so you’ll have to put up with me either way.”

The biting words are out before I can stop them.

Fuck.

I watch Piper squirm in her seat, uncomfortable with the whole interaction and me putting her so callously on the spot.

Damn it.

Me and my damned bruised heart just had to put our big foot in the mouth.

I smile at her and place my hand on her knee to do some damage control, hoping she doesn’t think I meant anything by that dig.

“It’s alright, kitten. We’ll have plenty of holidays to spend together.”

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