Power Play - Brittney Mulliner Page 0,6

been alone. They would have taken good care of her. The women of the Pride were like that. Not that I’d experienced it first-hand, but I heard from the guys. The few interactions I had with Chloe Murray and Amelia Curtis had been professional. Emma Letang had been kind the times I met her as well. She was the one that made sure the entire team was invited to events at their house. I’d seen or met the rest of the women in passing, but for the most part I stayed out of their way.

As bad as the team could be about gossiping, I’d heard plenty of stories and rumors about how involved the women could be in their lives. They sounded like secret agents in some stories, and overly-involved little sisters in others. Either way, I didn’t need them digging into my personal life.

Maybe Lucy and Colby would keep this to themselves. Only a handful of women flew with them to the game, but I knew if they mentioned it, the whole Pride would be informed within minutes.

With luck, they wouldn’t care enough about me to get involved. I was just one of the rookies. Below their notice. Under the radar.

The sound of a knock at the door made me sit up. I opened it and stepped back as Noah walked in and offered me a white to-go box before sitting at the desk in the corner of the room.

“Thanks.” I flipped open the top and took a bit of the burger without hesitation.

“Colby told me about what happened after they followed Taylor to the bathroom.”

I swallowed and it felt like a rock dropped into my stomach. “What did she say?”

“That Taylor’s really sweet and has had a rough few days. She was embarrassed by her behavior, but Colby said, after everything she learned tonight it was the very least of what you deserved.”

How much had she told them? Suddenly the burger didn’t taste as good. “I know.”

“Look, I know there are two sides to every story, but frankly I don’t care. We’re here to win. We’re here for another championship. It sounds like there are things you guys need to discuss and clear up, but not now. Colby got her number, and when we have the cup in our hands you can call her. Until then, focus.”

I nodded. “You’re right. I will.”

He eyed me and sighed. “I hope so.”

With that, he stood and walked out.

3

Taylor

Back at the hotel, I couldn’t seem to relax. Or stop staring at the ticket in my hand. After I threw the wine on Jason, I’d wiped at my tears and pretended like I was washing my hands when the restroom door swung open. Two women, around my age, had stared at me through the mirror.

“Sorry.” I stepped aside and grabbed a paper towel.

“You don’t have to apologize to us,” said the brunette with a wide smile. “We just wanted to check and see if you’re okay.”

Did I make that much of a scene? Random people felt the need to check on my stability?

“I can think of a few guys at that table who deserve a drink to the face, but I didn’t expect it to be Jason.” The second woman chuckled. “It’s always the quiet ones.”

They laughed together, then seemed to remember I was there.

“I’m Colby.” The second woman, with golden-brown hair down to her waist and friendly eyes, put her hand on her chest and then gestured to the brunette. “This is Lucy.”

Lucy tilted her head. “And who might you be?”

“Taylor,” I said after a second. Who were these women?

“Nice to meet you, Taylor. I wish it was under better circumstances though,” Colby joked. “We don’t generally make friends in the bathroom, but stranger things have happened.”

“That’s true.” Lucy nodded matter-of-factly.

“You guys know Jason?” I asked.

“Yes, although not as well as you seem to,” Lucy said with a grin. “What’s the story there?”

Colby leaned against the wall and crossed her arms. “I can’t wait. I hope it’s as good as yours,” she said to Lucy before turning her attention back to me.

I couldn’t keep up with them. It was like they were having a second conversation I wasn’t participating in even though I was in front of them.

“So?” Lucy prodded again.

“We dated,” I answered simply.

“Like ‘relationship’ dated or ‘hooked up a few times’ dated?” Colby asked.

I was about to tell her that it was none of her business, but after everything that happened in the last forty-eight hours, all the fight I