Page 76 of Power Play

twenty-eight

. . .

Riley

The arena is loud and raucous as I follow Vanessa, Audrey, and a few of the other spouses down to the ice. Emmy is wearing her custom Grizzlies jersey with Daddy on the back crest, her earmuffs firmly in place, and I’m in a matching jersey with Al’s name and number bedazzled on my shoulders.

Unlike last time, I finally feel like I belong here, like I have every right to be here. Al is my husband, and we are raising our daughter together. We’re a family. Now that I’ve made friends with the other partners, I’m no longer the odd one out all the time.

It’s amazing how quickly it all happened. Yesterday, we spent the holiday lazing around the house, playing with Emmy and watching the football game. While she napped, we made out on the couch. He didn’t try to take it any farther than a few wandering hands, and even though it killed me not to rip off all my clothes and sink onto his cock right then and there, I know taking it slowly is a good idea. Just because I’m constantly horny for him doesn’t mean I should act on my impulses all the time. It would be highly impractical.

But definitely fun.

The guys stretch and skate around the offensive zone for warm-ups, then drift over to where we’re waiting. Al waves at Emmy, his face bright with the biggest grin I’ve ever seen.

“Hey, baby,” he says, his words nearly inaudible through the thick plexiglass.

He’s looking at her, but for the first time, I wonder what it would be like if he were actually talking to me.

Emmy babbles and shrieks, trying to get to her father through the barrier. She bangs her tiny fists on the glass, and he grins, pressing his hand flat. She’s not coordinated enough to meet him halfway, so I lay my hand against his. I swear I can feel the heat of his skin through the glass.

“Hi,” he says, his eyes on mine.

My face heats, and I can’t hide my smile. “Hi back.”

“I’m glad you’re here.”

Even though we’re in a crowded arena with thousands of people, even though his teammates and their partners surround us, it feels like we’re the only two here. Well, us and Emmy.

“Me too,” I admit. “Score some goals today.”

“Just for you.” Al smirks, tapping the glass. His eyes dart down to the baby, then back to mine. “Take care of my girl.”

“Always,” I promise.

The buzzer sounds, letting the guys know it’s time to head off the ice and regroup. I take Emmy’s hand in mine and wave it as they skate away.

“Good lord, you guys are sickening,” Bex says.

Hefting Emmy into my arms, I glance at my redheaded friend. “Shut up.”

She laughs, slinging her arm over my shoulders. “Come on. I need beer and nachos, stat.”

“Definitely. I want to hear all about this new research project, too.”

Up in the suite, I settle Emmy in a booster seat with a toy and turn back to Bex. She studies something smart at Harvard, and she uses a lot of big words I don’t have a hope of understanding.

Vanessa, Audrey, and Hailey join us, and conversation flows easily as the game starts. There’s an overwhelming sense of community here. Belonging. I’ve never had this before. Even with Carter, it was the two of us against the rest of the world; we didn’t have a family of friends.

Now, I have Al, I have Cari, and I have these women. They’ve supported me unconditionally since day one, welcoming me to the group with outstretched arms.

Emmy starts to fuss, and I pluck her out of her seat and into my arms. I pace the upper landing of the suite to settle her, smiling at Mel Easton, who’s doing the same with her son.

“Kids, huh.” She grins, bouncing her knees as she walks back and forth.

“Does it get easier?”

We both look in the direction of where her three-year-old daughter is sitting with a few other big kids, enraptured by the game below.