Page 5 of Play Dirty

Chapter2

Stevie

Another wedding.

It’s exhausting.

First Henrik and Autumn.

Now Ivan and Chey.

And next week, fucking Blake and Rowan.

I get it.

My friends are somehow all involved in hockey, and this is the off-season. They try to get married and go on honeymoons before the new season starts, but it feels like it’s one right after the other.

Of course, Henrik and Autumn’s wedding was fun. I was just a guest at theirs, so I could relax, drink champagne, and allow myself to pretend that might be me someday.

Not likely.

The devil on my shoulder whispers in my ear in a voice loud enough to make me scowl.

The devil is an asshole, but I’m Chey’s maid of honor, so I don’t have time for self-pity today. If I’m honest, it’s been nice having a lot to do. Between the planning, shopping for dresses, shoes, and accessories, throwing her the most elegant shower in the world, the bachelorette party, and helping plan the morning-after brunch—in addition to working part-time at my friend Saylor’s art gallery, spending time with her boyfriend Canyon’s twelve-year-old niece, and my modeling career—I’ve had plenty to do to keep my mind off how miserable my life is.

Well, I guess how miserable itwas.

It’s better now.

I’d even go so far as to say it’s good at the moment.

If not for the nightmares.

And loneliness.

And all my insecurities rearing their ugly heads when I least expect it.

Like right now.

I’m supposed to be celebrating with Chey and Ivan.

The ceremony was lovely.

Chey looks like a princess, and Ivan is her knight in shining armor.

He’s in a white tuxedo, and she’s in the palest pink imaginable. It’s a breathtaking combination. I’m in a dark but muted shade of pink as the maid of honor, and the rest of the girls are in a lighter shade. The guys are in soft-gray tuxedos, and I’m a little taken aback by how handsome they all are. They’re his teammates on the L.A. Phantoms, and though I know them all, they’re usually hot, sweaty, and smelly when I see them after games.

That’s not the case today.

Gabe is Ivan’s best man, and he cuts a dashing figure, with his dark hair and broad shoulders.

Jensen, who’s six feet five inches and built like the side of a mountain, wears a tux like he was born to it.

Connor is only nineteen, but he’s grown up a lot in the year or so since I’ve known him. He’s filled out enough to where he’s more man than teenager now.

Canyon has a smirk on his face, his blue eyes twinkling as he stands there watching his girlfriend Saylor, who’s also in the wedding party. They’re so cute together.

And Marty.

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