POWER PLAY

CHAPTER 5

The game ended with the home beating the visitors 2-0. She always laughed when the opposing team would pull the goalie for the extra attacker. It was risky and didn't always work, in this case, it didn't.
Jane couldn't wait to see her family. Though they lived close, time managed to get away from everyone. She showered and put on her blue wrap dress. She loved the color, her best friends Molly and Luke picked it out for her on their honeymoon in Milan. She was flattered they'd thought of her during their special trip. They came back and told her the dress was the same color as her eyes. It fit her perfectly too. She loved them both so much. Jane was devastated when business moved them to Singapore. They texted frequently and emailed everyday but she missed them nonetheless.

As she headed out the door Brady stopped her. Damn, he looked fine in his suit

"Nice job tonight rookie! You held your own. I'm pleasantly surprised. I am sorry again for Avery getting in your face. Sometimes he doesn't think before he speaks. He won't do it again. I assure you"

"While I appreciate it, I've told you, if I can't play with the big dogs and hold my own, then I don't deserve to be here. My daddy always told me that I can do anything. I can be anything as long as I believe in myself. Here I am!"

"My dad said the same thing. I know your dad. He was a damn awesome player. Where are you off to looking like that? A hot date?"

"We all have to wear our best when we arrive and leave, you know this. Also, I don't date. I meeting my family at 'Paddy's Diner' for an after game dinner. It's tradition. We used to go out after the home games when my daddy played despite the hour, It was important to him and I."

"Seriously, you don't date, why not? I figured a looker like you would. Are you lesbian or something?"

Jane rolled her eyes. She knew how this was going to go but she figured now was as good as a time as any.

"Not that it's any of your business. I am not lesbian, but I know several people who are. I don't date because I choose not to. I see what men want and what I'm willing to give and I'm simply not interested. They expect everything on the first date. I don't do that. I like the idea of getting to know someone first. I see how well hooking up worked out for my dad and my birth mother and it's not worth it. Now. I have to go. See you whenever I ref again. I fly out to BC the day after tomorrow for a west coast stretch"

"I'm not like that, you know. I don't expect anything else on the first date. I'm 26 and I've only had one serious girlfriend I like the idea of getting to know someone too. Nothing wrong with that. In fact, would you like to have lunch sometime?"

"You know we can't. It's against the rules. People will say it's a conflict of interest. You're pretty well known. It would get out on no time at all. Thank you for the offer. Now I really must be going!"

"Wait! Give me your number. I will figure out something, ok."

"If you want my number you have to ask around for it. Like I say in the ice. Come
And get me!"

With that exchange she left to meet her family giggling like a schoolgirl the entire way