Page 20 of Power Play

My glare could burn straight through him. Sadly, he doesn’t spontaneously combust.

“Relax, we’ve got a room,” Viv says. “We’ll be meeting up with some of my teammates tomorrow for brunch while you’re at practice.”

Rolling my eyes, I hand off the baby before getting her bottle ready. I show him how to hold her and angle the bottle so she gets the milk and not air. Before long, she’s kicking her feet and going to town. Her little glugs of delight never fail to bring a smile to my face.

The front door opens, and I turn, expecting Riley again. What I’m not expecting is for my sister to follow her over the threshold.

My future wife freezes in the doorway, her eyes widening. “Uh…”

“Hey. You guys were out together?” My gaze pings between her and my sister, trying to put the pieces together. I’m glad they’re getting along, but it’s weird they’re hanging out without me. Isn’t it?

“I’m going to put this upstairs,” Cari says, and it’s only then that I notice the garment bag in Riley’s hand. My sister eases the hanger free, then drapes it over her arm and all but runs up the stairs.

“Come meet my brother,” I tell Riley, coaxing her closer with an outstretched hand.

I’m gratified when she takes my hand in hers, and I squeeze, trying to reassure her. The hand-holding is not something I anticipated, but she seems to like it, so I’ll keep doing it.

“This is Tony and his girlfriend, Viv.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Viv says. “We’ve heard nothing but good things about you.”

Riley’s mouth pops open. “Y-you’re Viv Gallagher.”

Tony smirks while staring at his woman. “She’s pretty damn awesome, isn’t she?”

“Are you a rugby fan?” Viv asks.

“Not exactly,” Riley says. “I saw that talk you gave to the women’s soccer federation six months ago, about self-limiting beliefs. It was amazing. I just—wow.”

“You weren’t this starstruck with me,” I pout. “I’m a famous hockey player.”

“There, there,” she says, patting me on the shoulder with a patronizing smile. “I can’t believe I didn’t connect the dots.”

Before anything else can be said, Cari thunders down the stairs, then launches herself at Viv. “You’re here!”

“Like we’d miss this,” she says, hugging her former teammate back.

My sister moves to Tony next, giving him a hug with Emmy trapped between them.

“I’m glad you guys made it,” Cari says. “I’ve missed you since you abandoned me.”

Beside me, Riley stiffens. But Tony laughs. “We didn’t abandon you. We moved to Denver. And you moved out.”

Cari huffs. “Shut up.”

He tugs at her ponytail until she drops the petulant act and grins.

“We have to do something fun while you’re here,” she continues. “Maybe tomorrow we can⁠—”

“We leave tomorrow night,” Tony says, eyes downcast. “I have school.”

“Right.” Cari swallows. “Tonight, then. After the wedding.”

“Definitely,” Viv says. “We’ll celebrate.”

Riley pulls her hand free. “Here, I’ll burp the baby and get her down for her nap.”

I frown at her withdrawal. Does she not want to celebrate? Does she not want to do this? If she has doubts about this marriage, we need to get to the root of them now. I certainly don’t think I’m hideous. I’m a decent catch, a nice guy. Is my family too much for her? We’re a package deal; I couldn’t get rid of them even if I wanted to.

What’s holding her back?