Page 17 of Game Misconduct

I wanted to go to my roommate since he felt like the safest option, but that wasn’t the point of coming tonight. If I wanted to get to know him better, all I had to do was leave my bedroom. I’d encouraged him to come with me so I could get to know more of the guys outside of formal team events.

I’d spent the least amount of time with Derek, so I headed toward him. “This seat taken?”

He shook his head, and Amelia smiled at me. “Sit down. I was hoping to have a chance to get to talk to you tonight.”

I sat and carefully balanced my plate on my knees while putting my water next to my feet.

“So where are you from?” she asked.

I wasn’t sure what she meant, so I covered both options. “I grew up in Toronto. My last team was Anaheim.”

“And you’re single?” She grinned, and Derek shook his head.

“Don’t answer that, Garrison. The women love a project, but nothing tops a matchmaking mission.” He gave me a warning look.

“That’s not true.” Amelia swatted his arm.

“It’s absolutely true.” He lowered his fork from his mouth and pointed to Jake. “You guys meddled in his life more than should be legal.”

“And look at how happy they are now!” she countered.

“You moved Taylor across the country without telling him.”

“We helped her move. It was her choice.”

“And Dani? You guys went overboard again and moved her from Mexico.”

“She had nowhere else to go!” She waved him off. “That sounds worse than it really was,” she said to me.

“They found Sydney and basically hired her without telling Brandon,” Derek added.

“And now they’re married!” Amelia’s voice was loud enough to catch everyone’s attention. She realized it and raised a brow. “I challenge someone here to give an example of when the Pride interfered and it didn’t result in something positive.” She leaned toward me. “They’re the group of women, the wives and girlfriends. They go to practices and the games.”

I nodded. Even though I’d already been told about them, I appreciated her making sure I was clued in.

“They’re everywhere.” Jason shuddered.

A few people laughed, but no one else spoke.

“See, nothing bad,” Amelia challenged Derek.

“It’s true. I wouldn’t have my business, or Jake, if it wasn’t for you guys.” Dani grinned, and Jake kissed the top of her head.

“Which means I wouldn’t have my job or my man either.” Jess leaned into Lance, who looked pleased.

“Same!” Amelia pointed at Derek. “I wouldn’t live here or have my job or you without the Pride.”

I looked at Mikey and Mitch across from me. “What about you guys?”

“Oh, I try to stay out of the way,” Mitch said with wide eyes, like I might have just put a mark on him.

“They’re not my biggest fan,” Mikey admitted.

“Why not?” Again, the words were out before I could think better of it, but this was the worst part of being the new guy. There was so much history that you didn’t know. The best way to find out was to ask.

“I went through a rough patch,” he said to his plate. When he didn’t continue, I glanced around, but the guys avoided my eyes. This wasn’t a topic for tonight apparently.

“Any who.” Taylor sliced through the tension. “What are some things you’re into?”