Page 14 of Game Misconduct

“I don’t think so.” I stepped back out of her room. “I’ve got to get ready.”

Her shoulders slumped, but she didn’t argue.

The doorbell rang a moment after I closed my bedroom door behind me. Hopefully, that was the food so Lance and Mikey could calm down. It might just be a silly dinner party, but it was important to them, and I wanted it to be successful. Whatever that meant for them. I was ready to play the role they needed. If they wanted me to hang back and make sure the food and drinks stayed stocked, I’d be happy to. If they wanted me to socialize and get people involved in a game or conversation, then I’d set it up. It’s what friends did for each other, and they’d made an effort to make sure I knew they considered me one of theirs.

After changing into leggings and a long, cozy sweater, I headed out to assess the situation. I expected chaos, but the aluminum catering dishes were neatly arranged on the kitchen counters with serving spoons and tongs next to each. Mikey was pulling out plastic cups to go behind the plates and utensils.

“This looks great.” I noticed the quiet music. “What can I help with?”

Lance stood in the center of the room with his hands on his hips. “Do you think this is enough seating?”

Since every chair, bench, and couch in the apartment was already being used, there was only one answer. “I think it will be perfect.”

I still didn’t know how many people to expect, but I didn’t want to ask in case they ended up disappointed later.

“She’s right. You’ve done everything you can. Now you just have to wait.” Jess put her arms around Lance’s middle from behind and rested her head against his back.

I smiled at the adorable couple and walked through the kitchen, checking for anything that might have been overlooked.

“They’re so gross,” Mikey whispered when I was a few feet away.

I giggled. “Someone sounds jealous.”

He rolled his eyes, not helping his case. “I’m happy for them and all, but it does kind of suck to be one of the last men standing. I thought we’d be the bachelors of the team forever.”

I patted his back. “If you want a relationship like theirs, your time will come.”

From the stories I’d heard, Lance dating Jess was a blessing for both of them. The two of them had been serial daters and only on the hunt for instant gratification. With Lance settling down, Mikey had a choice to make. Follow in his friends’ footsteps or party alone.

“Yeah, maybe.” A knock sounded, and he spun around to answer the door. “Hey, guys!”

Jake and Dani walked in, followed by Jason and Taylor. Lance greeted them, and he and Mikey took their coats and put them in Jess’s room as they’d planned.

Taylor met my eye and grinned. “First-class service here.”

I laughed. “They’re really going all out tonight.”

She scanned the room and nodded. “I can tell.”

I didn’t know Taylor very well, but she always made sure I felt included at the games. She only moved to Salt Lake within the last year and admitted once she felt like an outsider too. She and Jason had been high school sweethearts and reconnected after running into each other in Raleigh when the Fury was playing the Sand Storms there.

I loved their story. It was so romantic and full of hope.

My favorite part of attending the games was being filled in on how the women met their players during the intermission between periods. Some of them were nearly unbelievable, like Dani and Jake falling in love while she was planning a previous player’s wedding. Others were almost comical, like Kendall hating Wyatt because of her allegiance to her home team, and Chloe trying to hide her relationship from the entire team, including her twin brother who she lived with at the time.

I watched Jess while listening to each of them tell me their love stories, and I saw the dreamy look in her eyes. She wanted her story with Lance to end the same way, her very own happily ever after. I glanced over to Mikey. Maybe that was what we all wished for.

“Jason told me you helped out setting up that event the other night. I wish I’d known. I would have come over and helped too.”

“Oh, it was fine. It only took about two hours, then we had pizza.”

She nodded. “Still, Dani and Jess should know by now that we all step up when one of us needs it.”

One of us. What would it be like to be a part of a group like that? As much as I loved Kerry and knew she would go out of her way for me, their relationships were different. They were more than friends or teammates, they were family. Taylor might not realize it yet, but she wasn’t an outsider any more than Dani or Sydney or Addison was.

The door opened, and Amelia walked in with her boyfriend. I searched my brain until I remembered his name, Derek. I’d only met Amelia once since she was a team trainer and worked behind the bench during the games, but her sister Elena made sure I was introduced a few weeks ago.

“Hello, ladies!” She beamed and gave Taylor and me a brief hug. “It’s so nice to be around women for once.”