Page 55 of Face Off

“Really?” Madi asked.

“I’m not quite ready to give in. Not yet. I don’t want to leave without a fight. I’m going to push through the rest of the season as best as I can, but I won’t go down to the farm team. If it comes to that, then I’ll retire.”

“What about going to another team?” Amelia asked.

Madi shook her head like that shouldn’t even be an option.

“The Fury is my home. I don’t think I want to start over somewhere else.”

“So play here or not at all,” Madi said in resignation. “I get that.”

Amelia nodded. “I’ll do as much as I can to get you to the end of the season, but you’ve got to be careful and rest it.”

“Fine,” I agreed. “And I want to try to finish the season before talking about surgery.”

Neither of them argued.

“And this stays in this room?” I asked.

“Of course,” Amelia said, and Madi agreed.

Having them on my side, knowing what was going on, was a huge relief. I might have to lie to my friends, but at least I could be honest with them.

19

Holly

I dropped Sadie off at Sydney and Brandon’s house, since they were the designated babysitting house for the night. That was a thing the women did. They decided at some point that it would be easier for all the kids to be at one, central location and then they’d bring in as many sitters as necessary. They insisted I bring Sadie over and that I didn’t need to pay anything. I wouldn’t have been able to afford to come to the charity night otherwise.

The theme of the night was rock n’ roll. I had nothing to do with the planning or setup, so I didn’t know what to expect. Taylor warned me that most of the team and guests went all-in on their outfits, so I searched through my closet until I found something remotely suitable. Ripped jeans, a faded Rolling Stones shirt, and black heels. I pulled my hair into a high ponytail and teased it until it was ratty. I did a smokey eye and red lip and called it good.

Sadie said I looked awesome, which was as much as I could ask for.

It felt strange walking in on my own, surrounded by groups and couples. I should have arranged to meet up with the team or one of the women before coming, but I was used to this. Being on my own was something I was pretty good at.

I handed over my ticket and walked into the ground level of the arena, which was rarely used since the entrance to the seating sections started on the floor above. Loud classic rock filled the air, and screens on either side of the walkway were displaying the concert of the song. It was a really cool vibe, but when I walked out to the covered ice, I was blown away.

Even though I was here every day, and had been present the night before for the charity game, I barely recognized the space.

Black fabric flowed from the ceiling, and leather couches were spread out over the various rugs like an old recording studio.

Bigger screens were showing the same concert, and I watched as the song changed and Freddie Mercury appeared.

“This is amazing,” I overheard a woman say to her date.

“Very cool,” someone else muttered.

Dani and Jess had worked with Chloe to plan this event, and I had a feeling, after this, they would be booked solid for the next year.

“Holly!” I turned in the direction of the voice, and saw Mitch walking hand in hand with a tall man that radiated rock and roll with tattoos from his neck to fingers. The man grinned and held out his hand.

“I’m Joey.”

When he smiled, he went from dangerous to dangerously cute.

“Nice to meet you.” I lifted a brow to Mitch, hoping he understood my approval and slight jealousy.

“Are you here alone?” Mitch asked with a proud smile.