Page 161 of Play Dirty

“Good. Because I need you leading like you remember how.”

Something flickered there. It was quick, then gone.

“Rink in an hour,” Mercer continued. “Light skate today, systems tomorrow. Barrage isn’t going to roll over for you just because you got snowed in.”

Ares cracked his neck.

“Good.”

Mercer smirked.

“Yeah. Thought you’d say that.”

He turned and headed back out like a man who’d already moved onto the next problem. The door slammed behind him, and silence lingered for half a second.

Then—

“Well,” Zack said. “That was inspiring.”

“Shut up and get dressed,” Grayson instructed.

All around, the room shifted into something familiar. Something focused. I watched the team fall into place around him, and couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride.

It was good to know that part hadn’t changed.

Even though other parts had.

I sensed it when Haven brushed past me, on the way to the stairs. Felt it when her fingers dragged lightly across my wrist. The movements were quick, but intentional. Not subtle enough to miss.

But also not obvious enough to call out, either.

Zack’s eyes flicked between us. Then to Ares. Then to Grayson.

He opened his mouth—

Closed it.

Smart man.

For now.

I drained my mug, set it down, and followed the others toward the hallway. Game in two days. Team back together. Storm over.

Or at least… over enough.

But as I grabbed my gear, one thought stuck with me.

Haven.

Not what we did. Not even how we did it.

Her.

I’d been lost inside her for days — literally and otherwise. The intoxicating scent of her. The taste of her lips, her mouth, her tongue. My mind echoed with the musical sound of her laughter. My body stiffened, remembering the feel of her hot breath on the side of my neck.

There were other things too. The way she moved through the room like she belonged here now. Like she wasn’t asking for permission anymore. Like whatever line had been there before had been erased completely.

She belonged to the house, now. To all of us.